Things To Do During Your Stay

"We look forward to sharing our piece of paradise with you!" - Michele & Gavin Courage

Relax, explore, and enjoy the best of Central Hawke's Bay — all from your base at Riverstones Retreat.
Below are some of our favourite experiences and local gems. Add a little adventure, culture, or culinary delight to your stay.

Relax & Recharge

Whether you’re resting on the riverside, enjoying a slow morning with coffee and birdsong, or unwinding with an Energy Healing Session, Riverstones is all about peaceful rejuvenation.
Book a Soul Alignment session or mini retreat with Michele during your stay.

Fly Fishing

You’re right on the Tukituki River — perfect for self-guided casting or a full guided fly fishing adventure.

New to it? Try our popular "Learn to Fly Fish" experience.

Riverside Walks & Picnic Spots

Stroll along the riverbanks or find a quiet shady spot for a picnic. The sounds of nature and the gentle river flow create the perfect backdrop for mindful moments and outdoor meals.

Scenic Cycling & Walking Trails

Bring your bike or lace up your walking shoes — there are amazing trails nearby, including the Tukituki Trails and quiet country roads ideal for a ride or gentle hike.

Local Markets & Farm Fresh Food

Otane Market & Waipukurau Market: Great weekend stops for fresh local produce and handmade goodies
Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market (Hastings – 40 mins): A must-visit foodie destination
Waipawa Butchery: Ethically farmed local meats – great for a BBQ
Goat Horn Café: The best local breakfast spot around

Wine, Art & Village Vibes

Havelock North (30 mins scenic drive): Boutique shopping, top wine estates, and cafés
Birdwoods Gallery: A charming gallery, sculpture garden, and tea spot on the way to Havelock
Scenic drives into wine country offer great photo ops and roadside fruit stalls

Dining & Local Favourites

Patangata Tavern (just down the road): A true rural pub — great fish & chips and local vibes
Pourerere Beach (30 mins): Secluded and perfect for long beach walks

Energy Healing & Events at Riverstones

Riverstones is more than a place to stay — it’s a place to reconnect.
Join one of our Mini-Retreats, or check out our regular events and workshops for soul alignment, creative expression, and community connection.

Explore More of Central Hawke’s Bay

Check out local highlights and inspiration here:
hawkesbaynz.com – Central Hawke’s Bay

SEEDLINGS & PLANTS

Michele is a keen gardner, so recently Gavin built her a Greenhouse out of old Villa windows. This area of the garden is a work in progress, but there is always something available to take home to plant or eat - from vegetable seedlings to White Sage or the popular Cardoon plants with the gorgeous purple Thistle. This greenhouse is a super productive space. There are always a surplus of seedlings and plants available.

FRUITS, VEGES & JAMS

We always have some fruit or vegetable produce available. We have a few well established fruit trees and in season, they usually over deliver - in season Apricots, Figs, Lemons, Tangelos, Strawberries and more.

Michele also makes preserves - her Marmelade has a little bit of a reputation going in Wellington!

Ask about our homemade preserves etc. to purchase.

FRESH EGGS & GORGEOUS CHICKENS

Michele is a little obsessed with her free range chickens - Orpingtons are her main choice and collecting eggs, hand feeding and breeding with them brings her so much JOY. Fresh eggs are available. Speak to Michele if you would like to purchase your very own Blue or Lavender Orpington chicken. Fertile eggs are also available at certain times of the year.

AURA SPRAYS & WHITE SAGE BUNDLES

SAGE Bundles - I am very proud to bring you these beautiful, organically grown, Handmade and infused individually with Light Encoded Energetic Vibrations SAGE SMUDGING WANDS, which are exclusive to michelecourage.com – the wands are energy products – when you use them you are connecting to their energy.

AURA Sprays - I am very proud to bring you these beautiful, luxurious, Handmade and infused individually with Light Encoded Energetic Vibrations Aura Sprays, which are exclusive to michelecourage.com – the sprays are energy products – when you use them you are connecting to their energy.

To view more visit michelecourage.com/shop

OPENING TIMES

If you are planning to pop in, please make sure that Michele is home via TEXT on 021610317

In the summer, there will be days which we will be open on a regular basis - please check our Instagram or Facebook pages for any new updates

Guests at RIVERSTONES RETREAT are free to wander around the garden etc.