OPENING SPECIALS! Enjoy over12% off!
Promo code CASCADE for either cabin valid to June 30
ABOUT RIPPLES RETREAT
“Beautiful, tranquil retreat, with a fascinating history"
Double outdoor bath
Our Riverside Cabin Dream
Nestled on land that served as a filming location for The Hobbit, I’m Trudy, and I've combined 30 years of design experience and my passion for organic design with our family's stunning farm to create a truly special experience for your stay. We have dedicated hundreds of hours to planning an affordable luxury getaway that we are immensely proud of, and we're excited to share with you.
Our family—Brendan, Trudy, Katie, Corban, and Harley—built our first cabin in 2020 on what was once our original picnic site, right next to the river. We have spent countless happy hours teaching our children to swim, fish, and kayak here, and we wanted to share this little piece of paradise with you.
In 2025, we completed our second cabin, Cascade, and we are equally thrilled with the final result!
Our goal was to challenge ourselves to build practical yet luxurious cabins that function as romantic escapes for couples, families and small groups. We understand how challenging it can be to find suitable lodging for families of 5-6, especially when traveling with older teenage children who need stimulating activities to get them off devices, which inspired the creation of Ripples Retreat.
Our two cabins are light-filled, cozy, unique, and beautiful in any season. They are sustainable, bespoke and luxurious. They have the feel of glamping with the warmth of double glazing, double insulation, electric heating and gas hot water. We are all immensely proud of them!
As a family that loves the outdoors, we have discovered many amazing day trips and activities in the Waitomo area, and we've experience all those that we recommend here. From breathtaking waterfall walks to exploring the Waitomo Caves, there’s so much to discover right from our retreat.
Please feel free to take as many photos as you like and share them. It’s truly beautiful!
PS. Each cabin has Wi-fi but not a TV
Us & River Run-The Farm
Our Mission Statement
At our core we believe in crafting unforgettable holiday experiences where creative, sustainable design sits alongside beautiful nature, weaving together to form magical holidays that not only delight the senses but also deeply nourish your body and soul.
Creating memories that last a lifetime!
Ripples is nestled on our third-generation sheep and beef farm River Run, situated in the heart of the stunning Mangaotaki Valley. So you may hear in the distance the sounds of farm dogs working sheep or spot Brendan or Graeme riding along farm tracks, moving stock.
We farm 870Ha of steep to rolling hill country and have 3600 ewes, 5000 lambs in spring and 300 head of cattle. We have and continue to plant 100's of native trees to keep our farm sustainable for future generations, they help to retain our soils, provide shelter for our stock, improve the water quality and also add to the aesthetic quality of our land.
Our guests are welcome to walk our farm track and we offer free farm tours to those that book 4 days or more. During our authentic farm tours, you will be able to witness breathtaking views of our private farmland that is not accessible to the general public. You will also see beautiful ponds, waterfalls, and craggy bluffs. On a clear day, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of
Mt. Ruapehu.
"The farm tour at Ripples was a highlight of our NZ Honeymoon"
"Our family farm, River Run, boasts stunning views of lakes, bluffs, and waterfalls, making it a truly picturesque location."
From the top of our farm above Ripples Retreat, you can see stunning views of the Majestic Mangaotaki Valley and Mt Ruapehu.
"As the sun sets, the freshly shorn sheep are on their way back to their paddock."
The panoramic photos above showcase the beautiful views and experiences that await you during your stay. Spanning over 800 hectares, our property offers endless opportunities for exploration, with each guest having the freedom to choose their own private adventure.
The cabin is set on the spot where Gandalf's caravan was parked for the filming of The 1st Hobbit Movie (An Unexpected Journey) in 2011. For 10 days the paddocks surrounding Ripples were transformed into a village of 500 people, 100's of cars trucks and marques. It was an exciting time and we have been lucky enough to have other various film crews on the farm, including an ad for the Super bowl in 2017.
We've had a variety of films and Ads shot at Ripples. This is a scene from a Budlite ad for the Super Bowl
This pop up village was here for a month back in 2011
Lights, camera, action!
We've had a variety of films and Ads shot at Ripples. This is a scene from a Budlite ad for the Super Bowl
Located on the banks of the picturesque Mangaotaki River, Ripples provides an excellent opportunity for fishing enthusiasts. You can fish directly from the front lawn of our property, and you'll find plenty of Rainbow and Brown trout suitable for both fly and spinners, in the river. Our fishing season runs from October to June, but if you travel just five minutes downriver, you can fish all year round. Additionally, our guests have exclusive access to the Taumangahau stream that flows through our farm. You'll hardly see any other angler in this serene location, yet there's plenty of fish.
Sustainability
Both of our cabins at Ripples Retreat have been thoughtfully designed with sustainable natural materials, providing a cozy yet luxury holiday experience that wraps around you like a warm hug. We have dedicated countless hours to searching, upcycling, crafting, and refining every layout and detail, blending them with high-quality, sustainable materials to create our unique cabins.
Perfectly positioned on each site, they capture the gentle winter sun while blocking the intense summer heat, and with double glazing and added insulation, our cabins maintain a comfortable temperature year-round without the need for air conditioning.
We take great pride in our cabins, and our guests are loving their unique holiday experiences at Ripples.
