Books, games & play
Specially curated books for every age, plus games, puzzles and toys — shelved the way our booksellers actually recommend them.
Browse our toys and gamesOur story
More than a bookshop
A bookshop, a gallery and a homeware boutique under one roof in Lake Tekapo — a quiet place to pause, browse and take a little of the Mackenzie home.
How it began
It started with a love of books, in the heart of town
Petronella's Bookstore opened in 2018, founded by Wilma — Wilhelmina Petronella Maria — van den Bosch, who gave the shop her own middle name. From a wall of carefully chosen titles, it has grown from strength to strength ever since.
Along the way it won the 2022 South Canterbury Business Excellence Award for small business, and in 2024 was named Nielsen BookData New Zealand Bookshop of the Year.
A new chapter
New hands, the same love of books
In September 2024 the shop changed hands to local woman Sharron Binns. Wilma and Sharron share a love of books and retail and a long-time affinity with the community — the quiet ingredients behind a thriving shop in the heart of town.
Sharron's dream is a retail space that's warm and inviting — somewhere visitors want to spend time trawling the shelves of specially curated books, games, puzzles and toys, with a growing gallery of beautiful local art and an infusion of homeware and gifts. A haven for everyone.
Under one roof
Three shops, one feeling
The gallery
Beautiful local original art, photography and prints that showcase our stunning scenery, majestic landscapes and unique starry skies.
See our art and prints
Homeware & gifts
An infusion of New Zealand inspired homeware, gifts and keepsakes — chosen with the same eye as our shelves.
Shop giftsWe love being the place where people discover the book, gift or idea they weren't looking for but somehow couldn't leave behind.Sharron Binns · owner
2018
The bookstore opened its doors
2022
South Canterbury Business Excellence Award
2024
NZ Bookshop of the Year
Beneath the darkest skies in the world
We're open Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm, and Sunday 10am–4pm. Pull up a chair, browse the shelves and stay a while — that's rather the point.