Villa
Homes
Tucked away in the hills, we found one of our favourite hidden Waikato escapes - Ripples Retreat. There are 2 luxury riverside cabins that sit beside a private river, rolling farmland, and even secret waterfalls. Honestly, it feels like stepping into a postcard. Check out our 4 videos from our stays at both cabins.
From the moment we arrived, we knew this place was special. We swam in the river, kayaked, soaked in the outdoor baths, bbq'd, hammocked, and spent just as much time doing nothing at all, simply soaking up the peace. We loved exploring the farmland and secret waterfalls on their land too.
The cabins are near Waitomo Caves, amazing waterfalls, LOTR sites and soooo much more. Located only 1–3 hours from Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō, or New Plymouth - so it’s easy to get to, but once you’re there, you feel worlds away.
Each cabin is beautifully decorated and has everything you could possibly need. Even though there are two, you’d never know it, they’re completely private and far from each other.
It’s the kind of place you never wanted to leave. Trudy and Brendan have really set the standard for 5 star luxury and relaxing stay.
Reviews:
"We stayed at Ripples cabin back in July, and wanted to follow up with a review. I can say for certain that this was the best place I’ve ever stayed, and I have traveled many places! We loved the idea of getting away and being a bit disconnected from the world while immersing ourselves in nature, and this was exactly what we thought it would be. The cabin was beautiful and had every basic thing we needed, from speciality frozen coffee beans with a ln espresso maker, to frozen tea bombs and homemade honey. The place was a cozy size, perfect for our family of four. My husband and I enjoy the fireplace in our room, while my mom and aunt enjoyed the comfort of the upstairs room as well. We had a huge window to look out of, and the wall facing the river was all windows, to enjoy the beautiful landscape and weather. There was an outdoor tub and shower to use which was amazing, and the river had spots to fish from if you have your fishers licence. One of the highlights was the farm tour, where our host Trudy took us up and around the hills to explore and take in the amazing views. We got to see some turkeys, sheep and cattle, and met their herding dogs. What a treat! It was also very close to a little town that had the best milkshakes, and variety of breakfast/lunch items! And coffee was a must. All in all, a place we will definitely be visiting again! Looking forward to it, we hope many others come to enjoy the relaxation of this spot!" - Mandy, August '25. Google Reviews
"We are here the second time, this time for an extended stay. Such a warm welcome by Trudy & Brendan, amazing cabin with so much love for details and so much effort for guests to feel comfortable here. This is truly a wonderful place that should be kept secret ;-)" - Mandy, December '25. Google Reviews
"The River Song cabin was like a therapy. The limestone mountainside surrounded with sheep’s on one side and a river flowing on the other side with a cabin in middle was a perfect spot for weekend gateways. Frosty mornings with a cup of homemade tea( provided by Trudy the owner of the cabin) and sounds of beautiful birds was just like a dream. Cabin has been beautifully designed keeping comfort in mind. It is worth reading about the history of the cabin, the hand made paintings and recycled products used . Never knew there was such a serene place just 3 hours from Auckland. Loved every part of our stay and I will definitely be back to experience the calmness again. Thanks Trudy and Brendon to share your piece of paradise with us❤️" - Bhumika, August '25. Google Reviews
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