Do

From making your own knife to blissfully paddling the Pororari River, exploring the local history displays created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop, discovering local craftsmen and women and more- there is always something interesting to do here!

Hand made knives from the Barrytown Knife making workshop 1 minute up the road by car from Gumboot Paradise Ecostay

Barrytown Knifemaker

2 minutes up the road you will find the world famous Barrytown knife maker. For $220 you get a 1 day workshop where you get to make your own knife with a group of up to 8 other people. Complimentary lunch and glass of wine provided.
Learn more
Two blue kayaks from Waka Puna paddle & Peddle with paddles placed on a sandy riverbank surrounded by limestone pancake rocks and bush on the Pororari River in the South Island of New Zealand

Waka Puna Paddle & Pedal

16 minutes north by car, Waka puna is situated near the mouth of the Pororari River (second river) in Punakaiki.  Costs from $50-$120 for 2 or more hours. Had a great outing for my birthday apart from drowning my phone when my kayak got stuck against a log in the rapids.
Learn more
The new Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre Punangairi which houses the interactive Paparoa Visitor Experience a modern building with curved plant covered roof, glass windows, and wooden accents surrounded by landscaped garden and walking paths.

Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

Newly opned in 2024 the Centre features an interactive experience based on the landscape, heritage, and wildlife of the Paparoa National Park and surrounding areas. The centre contains a cafe, DOC information centre, gift shop and toilets. Cost for interactive experience is $45pp.
Learn more
A Rare Wildlife Spectacule of two black petrels on the ground at the Petrel Colony Tours site 9 minutes north of Gumboot Paradise Ecostay and P.O.P

Black Petrel Tours

This award winning Eco-tourism venture was established in 1987 by Denise Howard and Bruce Stuart-Menteath when they discovered the petrels breeding on land adjacent to their farm. Their guided tours provide unique wildlife experience and insights into the environmental and conservation issues that all petrel species around the world face.
Learn more
Three people riding in the red Clydsdale horse-drawn carriage on the Barrytown Beach from Golden Sands Horse Wagon and Tours 7 minutes north of Gumboot Paradise Ecostay and P.O.P

Golden Sands Horse and Wagon Tours

NZ famous venue for all things alternative- music, drama, mid winter balls and more and just 3 minutes up the Coast Road. Check out their Facebook page for what is coming up to catch a show.
Sign from "The one and only Barrytown Settlers Hall EST 1929" situated 4 minutes north of Gumboot Paradise Ecostay and P.O.P
Learn more

Barrytown Hall

NZ famous venue for all things alternative- music, drama, mid winter balls and more and just 3 minutes up the Coast Road. Check out their Facebook page for what is coming up to catch a show.
Exterior view of the Pancake Rocks Cafe with signage advertising pancake stacks, pizzas, beer, wine, and cider. There are chairs and tables outside, a stone wall, and sculptures of penguins near the entrance with bush clad hills in the background.

Open Mike night 

During the summer months Pancake Rocks cafe at Punakaiki hosts an Open Mike night on the first Friday of the month. You may even see yours truely perform
Fox River Summer market 28 minutes north of Gumboot Paradise showing the dining tent with vendor tables surrounded by trees and mountains, with people sitting and browsing items.

Fox River Summer Market

30 minutes north along the most gorgeous part of the Coast road, the Market runs every Sunday during summer from 9am- 2pm. During winter a car boot sale operates. A great selection of hand made crafts, second hand clothes, food and live music- including open mic.
Learn more