Retreats of the Rangitīkei: Our Favourite Places to Stay

Rathmoy boasts that they’re so secluded even Google Maps can’t find them - and that’s probably all you need to know if you’re looking to really get away from it all. Set on a sixth-generation sheep and beef farm, the estate’s riverside lodge looks out over the Rangitikei River and those trademark white papa cliffs, with the sort of scenery that makes even a slow morning coffee feel cinematic.

The lodge itself is spacious and polished rather than rustic-for-rustic’s-sake, comfortably sleeping groups of up to 10. A cedar hot tub, fire pit, cricket pitch, and private river access mean the days can be as active or as horizontal as you like, while the sense of exclusivity is a big part of the draw: when you book, the place is yours. Perfect for family celebrations, low-key long weekends with friends, or a winter reset where the hot tub gets a serious workout.

For the sort of traveller who likes a little adrenaline folded into their downtime, Awastone is hard to beat. Perched on the banks of the Rangitikei River in Mangaweka, it’s an accommodation base, cafe, and adventure hub all in one, with the mighty river at the heart of everything. This is a family-run operation with decades of rafting and kayaking history behind it, and that outdoorsy pedigree gives the place its energy.

You can stay in anything from cabins to camp-style setups, settle in at the licensed cafe overlooking the river and papa cliffs, and then decide whether the day calls for a scenic float, family rafting, a proper kayaking lesson, or simply watching other people do the hard work from the patio. That mix is what makes it so appealing: Awastone works just as well for people chasing a river adventure as it does for those who simply want a relaxed time with excellent scenery and a bit of atmosphere. 

Some places ask you to choose between adventure and retreat - River Valley has been proving for decades that you can have both. Tucked beside the Rangitikei River near Taihape, this long-running family operation has evolved from a rafting base into one of the region’s most distinctive places to stay.

Accommodation choices range from bunk rooms and campsites through to riverside suites and even a converted bus. It’s a broad church, but the thread that brings it all together is the setting: big skies, rolling hill country, the river at your feet, and a sense that you’ve arrived somewhere with its own rhythm. Days here can be spent rafting, horse trekking, or exploring back roads by e-bike, but there’s just as much appeal in doing very little - a swim in the river, a sauna, a spa, a meal built around produce from the organic gardens, and a slow evening in the lodge.

Drysdale Station is the retreat for people who like their luxury with a bit of mud on the boots. Set in the Turakina Valley, this is a stay built around walking, good food, and old-school farm hospitality.

Guests typically stay for two nights in the beautifully renovated Shearer’s Quarters, once a practical resting place for shearers that’s been upgraded with plush bedding, hot showers, and country styling that still honours the building’s working past. From there, the experience unfolds across day walks through grasslands, ridgelines, waterfalls, and native bush, with big valley views and the occasional glimpse of shepherds on horseback moving stock across the station. Then, return to homemade baking, locally sourced meals, and a fire to sit beside. It feels restorative in a very complete way, and is a particularly good fit for groups who want a shared weekend that revolves around walking without having to sacrifice comfort.

Remote in the way that counts, but with plenty to do once you get there, Tarata Fishaway Lodge makes a strong case for disappearing into the Mokai Valley for a few days. Featuring views over the Rangitikei River and Ruahine Ranges, accommodation options range from family-friendly to romantic, with some featuring private hot tubs and others catering for dogs or accessible stays.

It’s a truly versatile spot - keen anglers can book guided fishing trips; families can do scenic rafting and farm animal tours; and fantasy buffs can head off on a river cruise to a secret waterfall, passing landscapes featured in The Lord of the Rings. Tarata Fishaway Lodge has the feel of a place that wants you to make yourself at home, whether that means filling the day with activity or simply admiring the good sense to build a lodge in a spot this pretty.