Developer Don Ramsay (65), who suffered a stroke three years ago, is using old copies of the Otago Daily Times, Otago Witness and the Evening Star to create a walking guide of places with historic significance or curiosity.
Sites of interest include the ship wreck at Victory Beach on Otago Peninsula.
His special interest is places that lack sufficient signage explaining their history.
Visiting the Teviot Woolshed a few years ago ''all I could see was burnt out ruins. There was nothing about the fire''.
''The wreck at Victory Beach is another interesting story, but it is unknown to most people who visit the old wheel in the waves.''
He decided on the project while taking part in Dr Lynne Clay's study into strokes and walking at the School of Physiotherapy.
Dr Clay and Stroke Foundation community stroke adviser Kathy Clarke are supportive of the project, and will attend its launch in Baldwin St early next year.
Mr Ramsay has set himself the challenge of walking up the world's steepest street - ''My carers are pretty certain I can't, but I think I can''.
The project combines two elements of stroke rehabilitation - exercise and mental stimulation.
Ms Clarke said people often under-estimated the benefits of walking in stroke recovery.
Mr Ramsay is using online resource Papers Past to develop the walking guide.
He said people in other areas were welcome to adapt the idea for their own region.
