Immerse yourself in serene comfort at Ripples Retreat, a meticulously handcrafted cabin in a Hobbit film location. 3hrs from Auckland, 2hrs to Hobbiton, near Waitomo Caves. Perfect for an adventurous family holiday or a romantic vacation. Make Ripples your ultimate base to explore the North Island. Please read our reviews & book enough days, as our guests don't want to leave! Outdoor bath 3 Beds: Full Kitchen Stargazing Fishing Farm treks Kayaks Yoga mats LOTR Suitable for 1 family NEW CA Nestled in the crook of the tranquil Mangaotaki Stream, Ripples Retreat is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and framed by rugged limestone cliffs. It is one of the most magical romantic getaways NZ has to offer, where you can relax, unwind and reconnect with loved ones. See for yourself - check out our beautiful photos of Ripples Retreat in our Gallery. Any time of year, in any weather, Ripples is your ultimate retreat, where you can choose to do as much or as little as you like. There are multiple day trips to be taken from here, but many of our guests choose not to leave once they arrive due to the secluded ambience of this Retreat. Hours and hours of design planning have gone into creating a romantic getaway that also delivers as luxury family accommodation, and the cabin has been cleverly designed to sleep 5 people. Our guests love the peace, tranquility and attention to detail;  There is a reason why Peter Jackson filmed The Hobbit here. It is truly magical! Ripples is the perfect central location for a New Zealand vacation. The ultimate place for an extended holiday when you want to immerse yourself in culture, surrounded by beauty.  Under 3hrs from Auckland Airport and located in serene countryside we are the perfect place for a restful holiday yet there's so much to do - our guests all want to stay for longer than they booked for so make sure you book enough days. But be sure to take an outdoor bath - at night - under some of the clearest Skies in New Zealand!

Built on land used to film The Hobbit, I've (Trudy) combined 30 years of design experience with a stunning location to make your stay incredibly special. 100's of hours of planning have gone into creating an affordable luxury stay that we are immensely proud of and we're excited to share it with you. Fish for trout, swim or kayak in the stream, take in the beauty of a waterfall walk, cycle the Timber Trail, visit Waitomo Caves, play golf, experience an amazing sunset on the West Coast beaches, drive 15 mins to the highly recommended Fat Pigeon café or experience one of many other adventures - all from this luxury escape. It is easy.  Then - on your return, just flick on the tap to run a bath, no fires to light, just sit back and immerse yourself in nature.  ​Ripples opened in July 2020 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 690Ha of steep to rolling hill country and have 2500 ewes, 3800 lambs in spring and 250 head of cattle. Every year we 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.  ​ ​ 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.  ​

Whether you are looking for a beautiful destination for your honeymoon or a fun family getaway, Ripples has activities for everyone. From the adventure wonderland of Waitomo Caves to the unexplored yet beautiful West Coast beaches and beyond, book at least 3 days here; there's so much to do that our guests don't want to leave! ADVENTURES: Day 1: Take a scenic drive to the stunning and majestic West Coast Beaches. We highly recommend that you include the historic Waikawau tunnel, which is the only access to a remote but beautiful beach. Day 2: Take a scenic 2-hour drive to Hobbiton and enjoy an unforgettable day. Day 3: Take a caving tour or zipline at Waitomo Caves Day 4: Drive to Raglan and backtrack via Aotea Harbour and the Bridal Veil Falls. Day 5: Walk our farm track for spectacular views of Mount Ruapehu and then take a quick drive up to the scenic Waitanguru Falls. Days 6-14: Cycle the Timber Trail, take a jetboat trip to the Bridge to Nowhere, explore the world-renowned Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, visit New Plymouth and explore Taranaki—the list goes on and on. FOOD: Fat Pigeon Cafe in Piopio Village is a 15-minute drive away. They offer a wide range of freshly made seasonal food, takeaway platters, cakes, and meals, perfect for spoiling that special person and enjoying at Ripples. Contact them to preorder your platters or cakes; please allow 4 days' notice. The Fat Owl restaurant and bar in Piopio Village is also a 15-minute drive away. The big sister of The Fat Pigeon is open Thurs to Sun nights for meals and drinks, both indoors and out. Piopio Berry Orchard has the best strawberries in New Zealand, and their summer real fruit ice creams are to die for! Open October - April SHOPPING Don't miss the craft and antique shop in Piopio. They have some of the most perfect handmade gifts for EVERYONE! MASSAGES Please contact me to pre-arrange a private single or double massage at Ripples Retreat. Please allow 4 days notice. ​