A slice of paradise, with some history

Keen gardeners are always on the lookout for a new cutting, but how many can boast they have a slice of early settler history in their garden? Cecil and Joy Bowyer can at their home in Point Wells, north of Auckland which is being sold by Bayleys Warkworth agent Fin Higgins. It’s a grafted lemon tree cutting taken from the first lemon tree introduced to the country Pt Wells has always been known for its beautiful gardens, sub-tropical weather and superb soil so it’s no wonder the lemon tree is thriving, and fruiting. Although it’s not fruit as we know it. The thorny branches look completely different and the lemons themselves are nowhere near as juicy as the new lemon varieties now grown. The Bowyers are descendants of Thomas Hansen, who captained the brig, Active, bringing Rev Samuel Marsden to the Bay of Islands to establish New Zealand’s first mission settlement Captain Hansen brought the original lemon tree – a Lisbon or Australian Bush - with him when he sailed here in 1814 from Sydney with his family and mission leader Rev Marsden. It is thought to be the oldest introduced living tree in New Zealand. Cuttings from the tree were taken for the 200 year anniversary and reunion in 2014 of the early settler family’s descendants. The original lemon tree is planted near a memorial cross at Oihi Bay celebrating the settlement and first Christian church service held in New Zealand on Christmas Day in 1814. The Bowyer’s Pt Wells home is set in lush gardens with mature shrubs and fruit trees on a large 1090 square metre site at the end of a long driveway. The three bedroom house was a two bedroom cottage when the Bowyers bought it as a holiday home. The couple have extended the house to become a well laid-out family home with the possibility of extra income through letting part of the house as an Airbnb. At one end there are two bedrooms and a bathroom with their own separate entrance, that with a little enhancement could be used as a bedroom and small lounge for Airbnb guests. A generous master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite are at the other end of the house below a tastefully decorated sunny and light-filled lounge with plenty of permanent storage. The lounge opens out to a north facing partly covered deck overlooking the hills and towards Leigh and down on the property’s well-established and tended colourful gardens. It is a pleasant place to while away an hour of two relaxing on a sun lounger or reading a book. In the middle of the house is a warm kitchen, spacious dining and sitting area that also open on to a sunny north facing deck and small patio. The welcoming home is complemented by a single garage and workshop at the rear. The property is within easy reach of the safe waters of Point Wells estuary beach, library, bus stop and local store.

SALE DETAILS:

ADDRESS: 42 Point Wells Road. PRICE: $975,000. AGENT: Fin Higgins, Bayleys Warkworth. PHONE: 09 425 7640 or 021 660 558. EMAIL: fin.higgins@bayleys.co.nz. WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz #1201799.