The award winning home has been thoughtfully designed by Wellington based James Warren of Upoko Architects and beautifully crafted by local builder Tony Wilkins. Within its 6 m x 6 m footprint, the home has all the luxuries to make your stay comfortable - a log burner, king size beds, a full suite of modern appliances including dishwasher, washing machine, induction cooktop, oven, fridge freezer, sound system, television and connected with wi-fi. Sliding glass doors on three sides of the ground floor open the living space to the forest. Upstairs two mezzanine bedrooms elevate you to the treetops. If you are more than a couple, note that the bedrooms are open to the living space below. A fully equipped kitchen and seperate tiled bathroom with underfloor heating complete the home.

Punakaiki is the jewel in the crown of the West Coast. Between the prehistoric forests, incredible limestone geology, pristine rivers, uncrowded beaches, secret caves, wild seascapes, world class walking and biking tracks, together with a friendly local community including many talented artisans, there is a lifetime of things to enjoy in and around Punakaiki. We are delighted to be able to call Punakaiki Forest Retreat our home away from home, and welcome you to enjoy it as we do.

Private and surrounded by native rainforest filled with birdsong, it is a place to deeply relax. There are also memorable adventures to be had in the surrounding Paparoa National Park, including on the newly formed Paparoa Track. Access to the popular Truman Track is a few minutes walk from the house and takes you on a journey through the forest to a spectacular vantage point of the coastline. There is a rustic outdoor clawfoot bath, retained from the sites’ original campsite days, for soaking under the West Coast starry skies. The simple beauty of the site makes this place very special.