Tranquil lakeside setting boasts sun, scenery and sunsets

There’s nothing quite like toasting sunset across glistening waters. Especially with a charming outlook to Mokoia Island, Hamurana across the other side of Lake Rotorua and the city to the left. As the sky’s red glow announces evening and city lights twinkle, this is a pleasant place to take it all in.

This small enclave tucks off the main highway into Rotorua at Tikitere. One way in, one way out – a small neighbourhood dominated mostly by the people who live here. Thanks to this home’s elevated position above the lakefront, it enjoys uncluttered views over the bush ribbon below – nothing to impede that magnificent view all around.

Designed to take full advantage of the widespread scenery, the house enjoys different perspectives. The entry into this garden wonderland introduces a two-level home, with a basement garage and living quarters on the upper level. Once on the lakeside however, the home presents a single-level home – with a design that is quite different from the street front. It’s an intriguing design – with angled lines and a gabled roofline on living rooms that stretch outside to decks and the garden.

Spacious entertaining areas and vast swathes of glazing combine with the heightened sense of space from the gabled ceilings to stream in natural light and sun. There’s an intimate connection between the various settings and outdoor places – a natural flow that maximises this home’s stance on its lakeside plateau.

A modern kitchen embraces that natural drawcard for casual gathering with a different twist on the bar-stool setting. The kitchen sits at the heart of entertaining and flows freely to the various areas – from the family area, into a spacious lounge with formal dining and down into and into a fireside snug for quieter moments. With summer finally here, there’s less emphasis on heating – but on those chilly nights, the two heat pumps and wood burner ensure life here is cosy. Dine inside or barbecue outdoors. There’s plenty of room in both areas – with generous wrap-around decking and sheltered corners when it counts.

There are three bedrooms here, together with an office. Two bathrooms include an ensuite for the master and a family bathroom with a spa bath for those evening soaks after a day in the garden.

And what a garden it is – large, colourful and landscaped with playground lawns and a gated courtyard to keep the dogs safe. Gardeners will love it, while two garden sheds give ample room for the tools and potting needs. Garaging is more than double as well – internal access for three vehicles, including a single-entry bay that can double as a games room as these owners have done.

Handy to recreation and State Highway links either in Rotorua, Tauranga or Whakatane, this property is positioned perfectly for life on the edge.