Top bach cost just $220,000

Thomas Watt and Greer Garner fell in love with their classic Kiwi cottage the minute they saw it, and it appears other New Zealanders have too.

The pair’s coastal Taranaki retreat has won a top prize in a national competition to find the country’s best bach.

Fox Cottage in Opunake was named the New Zealand People’s Choice Bach Of The Year 2018 and also picked up a Silver Award for Hospitality in the contest run by travel website Bookabach.

They bought their 1910 cottage this time last year for $220,000 and have done very little to it. ‘‘It’s quirky and unique,’’ Watt, a real estate agent, said.

The previous owners had done a lot of work, Watt said. All he and Garner have done is put in nice furniture and Taranaki art on the walls.

‘‘We haven’t done anything structural or major. It is what it is at the moment.’’

However, the home had already won Bronze in the 2016 Bach of the Year Award for Best Hospitality.

‘‘After we bought it we thought we want to strive for an award.’’

When they found out they’d been nominated they were ‘‘rapt’’ and the news of their win had only just sunk in.

Despite being in a coastal town, the bach is surrounded by bush. Watt said it’s about a block from the ocean, and although the sea is not in sight, the cottage has a ‘‘coastal feel’’ but is more private. They have a lot of visitors from Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland, as well as from overseas. However, Bookabach is mainly used by New Zealanders.

‘‘They see Taranaki and work out where they can base themselves,’’ Watt said. ‘‘Opunake appears quite central.’’

The New Plymouth-based pair fell in love with the 60-square metre cottage because it had charm, Watt said.

‘‘We just went for a little nosey and as soon as we saw it we fell in love,’’ he said. ‘‘Ten days later it was ours.

‘‘It’s nice to have a bit of our own paradise in a place that you love.’’

The pair also own a 1917 villa in New Plymouth. ‘‘We love character homes; they tell a bit of a story,’’ he said.