Bach offers peace in remote bay
The southernmost bach for sale in New Zealand is not that easy to get to.
First you have to get to Stewart Island; then you have to take a water taxi, or hike for several hours, because there is no road access to the bach, (or should we say, crib) at Kidney Fern in Paterson Inlet.
But the difficult access and rustic lifestyle is not putting people off. Turns out that is the lure for potential buyers.
Listing agent Mike Peterson of Bayleys says interest has been ‘‘huge’’ since the property was listed in November, with plenty of inquiries. He says ‘‘a lot of people are thinking it through’’.
‘‘There were three direct inquiries off our own website last week alone and another one off Trade Me, (which has had nearly 58,000 views),’’ Peterson says. But while Kidney Fern is isolated, being 20 minutes by water taxi from Oban, it has a lot going for it – there are the great views, peace and quiet, hiking, boating and fishing.
The vendor family has had it for 50 years but Peterson is not sure if they built the twobedroom cottage themselves.
‘‘The couple that bought it all those years ago were local business owners back then, but years later they moved away.
‘‘They approached me [about the possibility of selling it] three to four years ago but, sadly, they have both died in the interim.
‘‘Now their two daughters stay there, maybe once a year, and they have said they are not getting the use out of it, so have decided to put it on the market.’’
While the property is ‘‘people isolated’’ there is always the wildlife to keep you company – including sealions, penguins, dolphins and whales. And the bush is full of deer and kiwi.
But what can you expect to pay for 89.64ha and a rustic bach? Peterson says: ‘‘The owners have a price in mind but they have said: Just present all offers and we will give them serious consideration.’’