Booming success
Perched on dramatic coastal cliffs with sweeping vistas over the Cook Strait and the South Island, Boomrock is the ultimate experience venue, a unique and awe-inspiring place to create lifelong memories. It’s also the legacy of the Eastwick family, who created longevity through diversification. Word Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Does making cocktails at lunchtime, smacking golf balls off a cliff and tearing up the paddocks in an extreme Can-Am 4×4 sound like a day off or a serious day making money onfarm? Boomrock belongs to the Eastwick family at Papanui Station, which sits high above the rugged coastline in the Ohariu Valley half an hour from downtown Wellington.
Four generations of Eastwicks have farmed the land since the early 1920s, when Captain John Eastwick settled there after serving in WW1, although he spent more time training the army than farming.
“If Mum and Dad hadn’t done Boomrock we would be long gone off this property. There is no way we would still be here on the farm.” – Tom Eastwick
John’s great grandson, Tom Eastwick is grateful for the three generations before him who worked hard in different ways to keep the 647 hectare sheep and beef farm.
He pays tribute to his grandparents for leaving their mark on the farm, with breaking in the land and clearing gorse, but of course, making great returns from wool at the time. “My parents took over the farm in the late 80s when farming got tough. They had to do something, whether it was to sell the farm or diversify, but it was a huge risk to them,” says Tom.
After five droughts and poor commodity prices Tom’s parents took a leap of faith in 1997 by opening Boomrock Lodge with encouragement from their Wellington friends, who urged them to share this spectacular property with the world. “They had no idea about dealing with people or hospitality but that has been a part of their success; the down to earth hospitality where everyone is treated
the same from the Queen to the plumber. It was only meant to be 40 people and not open weekends, but that’s completely changed.”
The Boomrock experience
Tom is the managing director of Boomrock, which is now open every weekend and offers formal dining for up to 140 guests with its roaring open fire, wharf beams and expansive deck, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and boasts some of the country’s most beautiful scenery overlooking the Cook Strait to the South Island.
They welcome many corporate events, team building, stag and hen parties, special birthdays and weddings at Boomrock, all centred around packaged experiences. In 2002, they expanded a private 900 metre asphalt racetrack, with top end car brands using it as a car testing circuit, and all-terrain park, perfect for adrenaline-fuelled activities, product launches and events. “There’s not many places you can do something like a private track,” explains Tom, “but it was a turning point for the business becoming more about experiences complemented by fine dining with a spectacular backdrop.”
The Bunkers shooting venue opened in 2010 which grew from the Eastwick’s passion for shooting and hunting and offers world-class shooting facilities sponsored by Beretta. It doesn’t stop there – guests can try their hand at cocktail making, axe throwing, driving a digger or extreme golf.
Tom’s passion, along with wife Hannah, since he returned from the UK in 2015 is the development of Pipinui Point, a luxury clifftop accommodation that complements Boomrock’s wedding business. “To give you an idea of how in demand onfarm accommodation is, in 2022 when international tourists weren’t back, we did high levels of occupancy from domestic guests. They love the personality of the farmers and you don’t want to lose that.”
Leasing out the farm
The Eastwicks say that leasing the farm out to focus on growing the diversification opportunities is the best thing they have done in the last 10 years.
“It’s a really tough climate to farm here on the wild west coast near Wellington,” says Tom. “We have lambs on the ground now and one gnarly southerly can knock out 15-20% off your lamb crop, so that’s why we give the farmer a really good lease.
But Tom sees the climate also as an opportunity for wind, which is his next project.
Giving advice on diversification to farmers
Tom’s growing interest in helping farmers has come from the hours of feasibility studies he has done on different diversification options. Having a contingency plan in place is key. “Have your contingency plans if it doesn’t work or you don’t like it. But my biggest learning is how many people are there to help see you succeed. I’m also exploring consulting to help farmers run their options.”
