Question 1

Which cabin will be best for us?

Accepted Answer

Each cabin is beautiful. They are an individual experience, different from the other, with unique floor plans. 
Below is a list to help you decide which cabin to book for your ultimate holiday.
They are entirely private from one another but can be booked together. A leisurely 3-5 minute stroll will take you from one to the other.

River Song Studio cabin (smaller cabin 35 square meters) built 2020
Perfect romantic couples retreat!
King size four poster bed & 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed. Sleeps 4-5
Studio unit - The king bed is in the same room as the living room and kitchen
Separate nook behind a sliding door with a double bunk and a single bed above
She is our original black cabin, located riverside upstream
Separate bathroom with large vanity, toilet and double shower
Deeper river swimming pool 5 1/2 feet deep with kayaks, one sea biscuit and a rope swing
Tree swing
Further away from the quiet country road
BBQ on the deck, but no outdoor sink or bench
Smaller indoor dining for 4-5 people
Cleverly designed to optimise every square inch, and it has a very cozy vibe.
While River Song is an ideal romantic retreat for couples, this is our original cabin and many families of 4 to 5  have had fantastic holidays here! So if our larger cabin is booked, don't be disappointed, you will also have a wonderful holiday here!

Cascade Two bedroom cabin (larger cabin 50 square meters) built 2025
Perfect family retreat or small groups that prefer separate bedrooms
King bedroom - A king size bed
Loft bedroom -  two super comfy double beds. There is standing room of 6 foot 3 in the center of our loft.
Sleeps 6
Two completely separate bedrooms.
She is the red cabin, located riverside downstream
Larger kitchen
Outdoor kitchen with a BBQ, worktop, storage and a sink.
Larger covered deck with more seating
Larger indoor dining table for 6 people
Separate kitchen/living space
Separate bathroom with a large single shower, vanity and toilet
Outdoor double shower with hot water and double bath
NO kayaks. Two sea biscuits
Shallower river swimming pools - waist deep.
Closer to the quiet country road
Perfect little hobbit hole under the stairs for little people
Larger outdoor covered deck with more seating.

To maintain privacy between the cabins, we ask that our guests in the River Song cabin (the black cabin built in 2020) use the river upstream only, and likewise, our guests in Cascade ( the red cabin built in 2025) use the river downstream only.

You can also book both cabins for group stays of up to 11 people. Please get in touch with us if you have children under 5 years old or if you wish to book for 12 people.

If you have a family of 4 to 5, we recommend booking the larger Cascade cabin.

Question 2

How do we book both cabins?

Accepted Answer

Planning a group getaway?
Ripples Retreat is the perfect escape for extended families or groups of up to 11 guests booking both cabins.
To check availability for the whole retreat, simply click the “Book Your Retreat Cabin” button — or if you’d prefer a more personal touch, feel free to reach out and I’ll take care of the booking for you. 
trudy@stayatripples.co.nz
 +64 27 826 8500
Our Cascade cabin is also a rare diamond for groups of friends to stay in, as it has two separate bedrooms and three separate beds. Making it the perfect choice for an escape with your mates.

Question 3

Are your cabins pre-fabricated

Accepted Answer

No — both cabins at Ripples Retreat are entirely bespoke. I personally designed each one to suit its specific site, capturing the warm winter sun while shading from the harsh summer heat.

We were fortunate to work with Les, a master craftsman and old-school builder, who brought my vision to life with incredible care and precision.

The builds were slow and intentional. Thousands of hours have gone into their creation. As a family, we’ve hand-painted, planted, styled, detailed, sworn, laughed, and lived in these spaces until they felt just right — tested and refined into the perfect holiday retreats for you.

We’re always adding new touches and love hearing ideas from our guests to keep making Ripples even better.

Question 4

Internet - Connecting while you’re there

Accepted Answer

Wi-Fi is now installed at Ripples. Data is generous but not unlimited so feel free to download and watch movies on your devices or arrange all those Zoom meetings from here, but please do all your system updates before you arrive.

Ripples is a beautiful spot to relax and just switch off, so if you need a digital detox (which our previous guests have loved!) please ask us to turn off the Wi-Fi when you book and you won't even know it's there when you arrive. We have “two-bar” cellphone reception on the Spark and Skinny networks. Vodaphone and other networks are a 10 min drive away. There is no TV.

Question 5

Is food provided or do we bring our own?

Accepted Answer

Platters you can order and pick up from The Fat Pigeon 07 8778 769

Ripples is fully self-catering so you will need to bring your food. We do supply the basics of tea, instant and espresso coffee, milk, salt pepper and oil, plus a few little surprises. There is a full working indoor kitchen with a coffee machine and we have a lidded outdoor BBQ which doubles as an oven and cooks great pizzas! We also have a seasonal herb garden.
 
You can either bring your food or travel 15 mins into Piopio to the Fat Owl Restaurant and bar on Ruru St $$ (open Thursday—Sunday) for a lovely seasonal meal or a takeaway pizza.
 
The Fat Pigeon Café $$ Moa St (SH3)  has platters available which you can pick up and enjoy at Ripples, you will need to contact The Fat Pigeon direct with at least 2 days' notice on 07 8778 822 to pick these up on your way to Ripples. They are open daily for breakfast and lunch and we highly recommend grabbing a takeaway box of either their cabinet or kitchen food that you can purchase on your way through Piopio.  
 
The Cloverleaf Café 15mins away $ Moa St (SH3) Piopio 07 8778 368 Open daily with a bakery, takeaway coffee, burgers and fish and chips. Very casual.
 
Piopio Superette Moa St  (SH3) $$ is a small local dairy and has all the basics
 
New World in Te Kuiti is 35 mins away and they have a click-and-collect option which needs to be ordered 24 hours in advance. We also highly recommend Nahna’s Fruitery next to New World for high-quality seasonal fruit and vegetables. Hari will make up boxes of produce for you to pick up if you are travelling from the North. 07 8788207.

Question 6

What are the kitchen facilities?

Accepted Answer

**River Song Cabin (Ripples 1):** This cabin features a two-burner electric cooktop, a full refrigerator with filtered water, a dishwasher, and a two-drawer freezer. It also includes an air fryer, hand blender, toaster, and electric kettle. The kitchen is fully equipped to cook and serve meals for up to five people. Additionally, there is a lidded gas BBQ outside.

**Cascade Cabin (Ripples 2):** This cabin has both an indoor and outdoor kitchen. The indoor kitchen is larger than that of River Song and features a four-burner electric cooktop, a full refrigerator with filtered water, a dishwasher, and a two-drawer freezer. It is also equipped with an air fryer, hand blender, toaster, and electric kettle, and can accommodate meal preparation for up to six people. The outdoor kitchen includes a BBQ, a sink, ample bench space and under bench storage.

Question 7

How do I cancel my booking? Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations

Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your stay.

This is 100% refundable if you cancel 21 days or more before your arrival, but we highly recommend changing your dates, as you don't want to miss a stay at Ripples.

If you cancel within 21 days of arrival, the full payment is non-refundable.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected changes to your plans.

Question 8

What should we do when we stay?

Accepted Answer

At Ripples, we recommend the following itinerary for an unforgettable holiday - just be sure to book enough days, as our guests don't want to leave: Click here for more photos and a map

Day 1: Immerse yourself in the serene ambience at Ripples Retreat. Unwind in the outdoor bath, marvel at the starry night sky, and relish the tranquility.

Day 2: Explore the nearby Waitanguru Falls and visit Hairy Feet Tours, the filming location of The Hobbit. Our cabin is located on the site where the crew were based for this epic film.

Day 3: Discover the wonders of Waitomo Caves with a thrilling caving or ziplining adventure.

Day 4: Book a stay for four days or more and enjoy a free farm tour, exploring our beautiful landscape with views of Mt. Ruapehu, waterfalls and lakes.

Day 5: Embark on a journey to Hobbiton, just under 2 hours away, and delve into the enchanting world of the Shire.

Day 6: Venture out to the West Coast Beaches, stroll along the 3 sisters low tide beach track at Tongaporutu, and enjoy a delightful beachside meal before returning to Ripples for a fun night of Petanque or Giant Jenga.

Day 7: Drive north to the vibrant seaside village of Raglan and explore its charm, while looping back via Aotea Harbour for breathtaking views over the Tasman Sea.

Day 8: Take a day to rejuvenate at Ripples. Explore the farm track, fish for trout, kayak, and savour the company of your loved ones.

Day 9: Head to New Plymouth, just 2 hours away, for the summer night festival.

Day 10: Drive out to the Waikawau tunnel and make your way back up to Marokopa beach for a delightful walk between the quaint Marokopa village and Kiritehere beach, and immerse yourself in the low tide pools.

There's so much more to do in our area and we are happy to offer our advice about what you would enjoy in our stunning area. But also be prepared to spend a few days chillaxing at Ripples as many guests plan an amazing itinerary - but once they arrive - they just don't want to leave!

Question 9

How do we get to you?

Accepted Answer

Ripples is accessed directly off the sealed Mangaotaki Rd on a short flat driveway suitable for all vehicles. You will be sent a confirmation with your booking and a 4-digit entry code. There is a black lockbox under the covered deck which contains the key. If you go away for the day, we recommend that you place the key back in the lockbox (you will need to enter the code again to lock it); this avoids any lost keys.
PLEASE USE THESE DIRECTIONS, AS SOME GPS UNITS CAN TAKE A LONGER ROUTE ON UNSEALED ROADS
Travel on State Highway 3 to Piopio
Turn west up Kaka St at the Gas Station at the Southern end of Piopio Village
Veer left off Kaka St onto Mangaotaki Rd
Continue up Mangaotaki Road for 13.14 km until you see the Ripples sign on the right, approximately 15 minutes from Piopio.

Question 10

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

We supply luxury linens at Ripples including hemp, cotton or linen sheets, soft spa towels, complimentary dressing gowns and tea towels etc.  We also have extra towels which you are welcome to use if needed but we try to be a sustainable as possible and encourage the use of 1 towel per person for short stays.
You will need to bring swimming towels for the river and we recommend you bring a good pair of walking shoes, a raincoat, sunscreen, sun hat, insect repellent and your personal toiletries. 
There is complimentary hand soap, bodywash, laundry powder, dishwashing detergent and we have a full First Aid Kit and an "Opps I forgot box" with some extras that you may have forgotten.

Question 11

When and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

In order to ensure your booking is secured, payment is required at the time the booking is placed. Both credit or debit card payment options are available to you at the online checkout. We also accept direct debit payments and you can book and contact us at trudy@stayatripples.co.nz for account details, you will then have 48 hours to pay.
All our pricing is available on our calendar under Book Now.

Question 12

How close is Ripples Retreat to the international Airport?

Accepted Answer

Ripples Retreat is less than a 3-hour drive from Auckland International Airport and only 1.25 hours from Hamilton Airport.

This central location makes it perfect for guests who want to enjoy a beautiful and easy holiday in New Zealand, exploring the country without having to pack up and move every day.

At Ripples we recommend the following itinerary for an unforgettable holiday - just be sure to book enough days as our guests don't want to leave:

Day 1: Immerse yourself in the serene ambience at Ripples Retreat. Unwind in the outdoor bath, marvel at the starry night sky, and relish the tranquillity.