Getting To River Valley Lodge

Our Location
River Valley is situated in the Rangitikei District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is near the central North Island town of Taihape.

The area is known for it’s fertile farmland and beautiful scenery.

Drive carefully on our country roads, as you would be surprised both at the number and occasionally the size of the vehicles you will share the way with.

A Great Place to Break the Journey!
River Valley Lodge is the ideal place to break a journey from the Rotorua/Taupo area, to Wellington, being about half way between.

Or, we are around 2 hours journey from Napier/Hawkes bay, Palmerston North or Whanganui. If you are using a GPS then our co-ordinates are – South 39°37-800 East 176°02-583 – however we do not recommend using GPS as it does not take you on the easiest route.

Here is some information you may find helpful:

Phone: +64 6 388 1444 or 0800 248 666 (NZ only)

River Valley Lodge,
266 Mangahoata Road
Taihape
New Zealand, 4792

Check out the Google map of the area. Follow around to New Zealand and look for the flags!

You can switch from either map view – best for driving, or satellite – best for getting an idea of the topography of the area. The hybrid view is a bit interesting as it shows roads that were never more than surveyed, and do not in fact exist. Don’t use this view as a driving reference!!!!

The Details

If travelling South on SH1, turn left at the River Valley signpost, 18km after Waiouru. This will take you onto Spooners Hill Road. Look out for a sharp left turn on to Pungatawa Road at 9 km. From there, follow the signs all the way to the Lodge.

If you are travelling North, use the Gretna Hotel in Taihape as your starting point. Turn right and follow the road past the Gretna, on your left and Liquorland on your right. Continue out of town, over the Hautapu River Bridge, until you reach a junction with Pungatawa Road on the right. Do not turn off onto any other roads within the town.

Turn right and follow Pungatawa Road. The route is clearly signposted from that junction all the way to the Lodge.

The 32km drive will take you around 35 – 40 minutes from Taihape. It will take you through some of New Zealand’s finest and most picturesque hill country. Please follow the regular signs to River Valley (we don’t recommend following Apple Maps or any other GPS). Google Maps works fine if you use Taihape as your starting point. Apple Maps and some GPS units have a habit of sending you onto long detours, or worse.

After turning off State Highway 1, you will cross two bridges if coming from Waiouru and three bridges coming from Taihape.

The last 1.5 km’s are gravel and take you to the Lodge at the end of Mangahoata Road.