Aotearoa’s Central Plateau is synonymous with winter adventure. Mt Ruapehu attracts the masses to its ski-fields when the snow kicks in and the nearby settlements bustle with visitors… but this North Island alpine region has a serene charm in the off season. Ringa Kaha Cabin is a short drive from National Park Village but it has a feel of absolute remoteness upon arrival. Sitting high on the landscape, with striking views, the cabin has been cleverly situated to privately bathe in its surroundings. Cows graze on rolling hills towards the east and farmland gives way to expansive ranges towards the west. I melted into a relaxed state almost immediately when we arrived, slowly experiencing and capturing moments with my family as they unfolded.
Ringa Kaha Cabin is owned by four siblings and takes its name from the Maori translation of their surname - Armstrong. Angela, Jason, Mark and Hayley, together with their late father Bob bought the 80 hectare farm block in 2004 as a base for hunting, fishing and skiing. For years, there was just an old shack on the land, but when Bob became ill in 2016, carpenter Mark decided to build the new cabin so their father could continue to visit and stay comfortably at the farm, along with the family. Mark and Hayley worked together on the design, Mark completed the construction and Hayley did the interior styling. The result is a lovingly crafted board and batten cabin of 65m2 that comfortably sleeps 6.
My family and I visited during the season of cicadas and wild flowers. We were treated to beautiful sunshine (as well as some wind and rain) and the cabin proved adept at handling all conditions. With bi-folding doors to the east and the west, you can follow the weather’s lead and choose a fully open breezeway, a sheltered direction or a closed in cocoon. With an indoor wood burner for the colder months and an outdoor oven and Dutch Tub (from Hayley’s business tulips.co.nz) there’s an embracing of all things hygge and slow living that is evident here. The whole cabin is fully off-grid with solar power and spring-fed water. I imagine hunkering down here and forgetting the world quite easily. There’s both a cosiness and a spaciousness here which promotes a full spectrum of feelings from peaceful relaxation to wild adventure.
Intentionality… It’s the word I’ve chosen for this year. These getaways are a perfect way to grab hold of quality time and create shared experiences with the fam. Our time at the cabin was marked by good food, music, board games, book reading, fire tending, hot tub soaking and cloud gazing. We all tend towards active relaxing so we also packed our mountain bikes and ventured to the Ohakune Old Coach Road. You can park your car at one end of the track and arrange a shuttle to the other or just ride as far as you like one way and make a return trip. We chose the latter and enjoyed a leisurely ride with a picnic stop along the way.
The west facing outlook at Ringa Kaha is an ever-changing canvas. Sheets of rain marched along the ridge-line one afternoon, giving us a few minutes warning of the oncoming squall. Then just as quickly as it arrived, the clouds parted and patches of sun started stretching down to the valley below. It seemed like the weather systems just continually rolled over the ranges like tidal surges. This place is a sky gazer’s paradise. I imagine the winter vista would be quite different again… We will just have to schedule a return visit to find out.
Built as an escape for the Armstrong families (who all live out of the region) Ringa Kaha Cabin can also be enjoyed by others who book through Canopy Camping… canopycamping.co.nz/ringa-kaha-cabin