Trudy’s guidebook
Activities at Ripples and close by
We have complimentary kayaks and a sea biscuit for use in the river around Ripples. There is a hike up our farm track to amazing views of Mt Ruapehu and over the Central Plateau, which our guests have exclusive access to. The river also has plentiful brown and rainbow trout, and is open Oct - Jun for fishing.
Cycle our quiet country road through limestone cuttings following the beautiful Mangaotaki River. Although this is a quiet country road you will encounter large stock trucks at times.
Mangaotaki Road
Mangaotaki RoadCycle our quiet country road through limestone cuttings following the beautiful Mangaotaki River. Although this is a quiet country road you will encounter large stock trucks at times.
Waitomo Caves Zipline Park
24 Te Anga RdZip Lining in Waitomo
There are a wide variety of caving options in Waitomo, and there is something to suit every level of fitness and adrenalin. Waitomo Caves are a 45 minute drive from Ripples.
142 personas locales recomiendan
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
39 Waitomo Village RdThere are a wide variety of caving options in Waitomo, and there is something to suit every level of fitness and adrenalin. Waitomo Caves are a 45 minute drive from Ripples.
There's so much to keep you entertained at Ripples without having to leave the property. From kayaks and a sea biscuit for lounging in the river to fishing and outdoor games such as Petanque and Giant Jenga.
Although a 5 minute drive back towards Piopio will take you to a special hidden gem!
Ripples Retreat
1314 Mangaotaki RdThere's so much to keep you entertained at Ripples without having to leave the property. From kayaks and a sea biscuit for lounging in the river to fishing and outdoor games such as Petanque and Giant Jenga.
Although a 5 minute drive back towards Piopio will take you to a special hidden gem!
The Fat Pigeon is our local award winner café in Piopio, we highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch and coffee as it has tasty, seasonal food. $$
The Fat Owl is also open for meals Thursday to Sunday nights. $$
Piopio Cozzie Club is also open for simple evening meals $
8 personas locales recomiendan
Fat Pigeon Cafe
41 Moa StThe Fat Pigeon is our local award winner café in Piopio, we highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch and coffee as it has tasty, seasonal food. $$
The Fat Owl is also open for meals Thursday to Sunday nights. $$
Piopio Cozzie Club is also open for simple evening meals $
Waitanguru Falls
Mangaotaki RoadA selection of scenic waterfalls accessible from Ripples Retreat
Travel just over 1 hour to Taumaranui and take a jetboat trip to the Bridge to Nowhere. Highly recommend as a fun and historical day trip.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Whanganui River
Travel just over 1 hour to Taumaranui and take a jetboat trip to the Bridge to Nowhere. Highly recommend as a fun and historical day trip.
For a more sedate trip Waitomo Caves has an underground boating experience with amazing glowworms.
142 personas locales recomiendan
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
39 Waitomo Village RdFor a more sedate trip Waitomo Caves has an underground boating experience with amazing glowworms.
The Denize bluffs are a 5 minute walk along our quiet country road. The Hobbit was filmed here in 2011 and 2021
Mangaotaki Road, Piopio, Nueva Zelanda
The Denize bluffs are a 5 minute walk along our quiet country road. The Hobbit was filmed here in 2011 and 2021
The Mangaotaki is an attractive river to fish flowing through some spectacular limestone country between high cliffs with an extensive length of easily accessible fishing water, well-suited to all fishing methods. Fly and spinner Season at Ripples is Oct- Jun and all year round 5 minutes drive downstream.
You will need a valid NZ fishing license to fish here, easily obtainable through NZ Fish and Game
Mangaotaki River, Waikato, Nueva Zelanda
The Mangaotaki is an attractive river to fish flowing through some spectacular limestone country between high cliffs with an extensive length of easily accessible fishing water, well-suited to all fishing methods. Fly and spinner Season at Ripples is Oct- Jun and all year round 5 minutes drive downstream.
You will need a valid NZ fishing license to fish here, easily obtainable through NZ Fish and Game
One of the few publicly accessible parts of the coastline between Marokopa and Awakino, which are almost 60 kilometres apart by road, is at Waikawau beach. Access is via a narrow tunnel through the sandstone cliffs, which was made in 1911 by three men armed only with picks and shovels. It was constructed so cattle could be driven to and from Nukuhakare Station, on the hills above the tunnel. The farm is hilly and it was easier to drive the cattle along the beach than across the rough terrain. These days the tunnel is used by people rather than cows.
Waikawau Tunnel Beach
440 Waikawau RoadOne of the few publicly accessible parts of the coastline between Marokopa and Awakino, which are almost 60 kilometres apart by road, is at Waikawau beach. Access is via a narrow tunnel through the sandstone cliffs, which was made in 1911 by three men armed only with picks and shovels. It was constructed so cattle could be driven to and from Nukuhakare Station, on the hills above the tunnel. The farm is hilly and it was easier to drive the cattle along the beach than across the rough terrain. These days the tunnel is used by people rather than cows.
Get exclusive views only available to our Ripples Retreat guests, by hiking up our private farm track.
Ripples Retreat
1314 Mangaotaki RdGet exclusive views only available to our Ripples Retreat guests, by hiking up our private farm track.
Ripples Retreat
1314 Mangaotaki RdThe Stargazing at Ripples Retreat on a clear night is amazing.
Sightseeing
Tongaporutu and the other West Coast Beaches of Mokau, Awakino and further North are a photographers dream. Sparsely populated and unexplored they are amongst the hidden gems in our area. Make a full day trip and visit a few of these beaches from Ripples. These beaches have dangerous undertows, swimming is not recommended.
Tongaporutu
Tongaporutu and the other West Coast Beaches of Mokau, Awakino and further North are a photographers dream. Sparsely populated and unexplored they are amongst the hidden gems in our area. Make a full day trip and visit a few of these beaches from Ripples. These beaches have dangerous undertows, swimming is not recommended.
Towns and Cities close to Ripples
Just under two hours north of Ripples is the small, but vibrant town of Raglan. This Waikato community has grown in popularity over the years with surf lovers, art gathers and nature enthusiasts all flocking here.
Loop in the Bridal Veil Falls - a short 10min walk to the top, and a thigh busting trek to the bottom and back up again. If your car hire allows you to drive gravel roads you can travel back to Ripples Via Kawhia and Aotea Harbours - a beautiful and interesting drive.
Ngarunui Beach, Wainui Road, Raglan 3297, Nueva Zelanda
Just under two hours north of Ripples is the small, but vibrant town of Raglan. This Waikato community has grown in popularity over the years with surf lovers, art gathers and nature enthusiasts all flocking here.
Loop in the Bridal Veil Falls - a short 10min walk to the top, and a thigh busting trek to the bottom and back up again. If your car hire allows you to drive gravel roads you can travel back to Ripples Via Kawhia and Aotea Harbours - a beautiful and interesting drive.
Hamilton is a city 1.5hrs north of Ripples and you will travel through here from Auckland. We highly recommend stopping off at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens, a sprawling public park, features elaborate themed gardens ranging from Italian Renaissance to Japanese and traditional Maori styles. The Waikato Museum displays Maori art and artefacts. Next door, ArtsPost gallery focuses on local art. In the busy city centre, Victoria Street is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars.
State Highway 1, Hamilton, Nueva Zelanda
Hamilton is a city 1.5hrs north of Ripples and you will travel through here from Auckland. We highly recommend stopping off at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens, a sprawling public park, features elaborate themed gardens ranging from Italian Renaissance to Japanese and traditional Maori styles. The Waikato Museum displays Maori art and artefacts. Next door, ArtsPost gallery focuses on local art. In the busy city centre, Victoria Street is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars.
New Plymouth is a city just under 2 hours south of Ripples. It’s known for its coastal walkway Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (whale bone bridge) has views of towering and stunning Mount Taranaki. Close by, Pukekura Park has botanical gardens and birdlife and the festival of the lights in summer. Subalpine forests and waterfalls characterise Egmont National Park to the south.
State Highway 3, New Plymouth, Nueva Zelanda
New Plymouth is a city just under 2 hours south of Ripples. It’s known for its coastal walkway Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (whale bone bridge) has views of towering and stunning Mount Taranaki. Close by, Pukekura Park has botanical gardens and birdlife and the festival of the lights in summer. Subalpine forests and waterfalls characterise Egmont National Park to the south.
Piopio is our thriving little village only 15mins from Piopio. With only 500 residents it packs a punch for its size with quirky boutique shops, an award winning cafe and the best strawberries in NZ!
State Highway 3, Piopio, Nueva Zelanda
Piopio is our thriving little village only 15mins from Piopio. With only 500 residents it packs a punch for its size with quirky boutique shops, an award winning cafe and the best strawberries in NZ!
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué empacar
You will need comfortable walking gear to explore.
We are on the West Coast of New Zealand and can get a mix of beautiful misty mornings, some frosts in winter (June-August) wet weather and temperatures up to 31C 88F in summer. We recommend you bring clothing suitable for both the heat in summer and cool in winter. Plus sunscreen at any time of year. Our cabin is been custom designed for these temperatures to keep you cozy in winter and cool in summer.
No te lo pierdas
There's so much more....
There are many other activities and places to visit around Ripples, from fishing , cycling, golf, sightseeing and great places to eat. Further afield there is skiing, surfing, beach walks and mountain walks.
Formas de ahorrar
Many free activities
We have a double kayak, a sea biscuit plus a selection of indoor and outdoor games which are free to use by our guests at Ripples. All the farm hikes, sight seeing and cycle ways are free of charge, so once you choose to stay at Ripples you can easily plan you days around free activities. There are also great bakeries, cafes and fish and chip takeaway shops in both Piopio 15 mins and Te Kuiti 35 mins away.
Formas de ahorrar
Nearest supermarket
The nearest supermarket is a small 4 square located in Piopio 15 minutes away. Te Kuiti New World is 35 minutes away to the North.