Karaka Bay
TENDERS CLOSE on February 7 for a “bach in the city” in Karaka Bay that’s for sale for the first time in 34 years.
The three-bedroom beachfront house, at 299 Karaka Bay Rd, dates to 1916 and is steeped in history.
Local identities Sue and Michael Barnett, who are relocating to the Wairarapa, understand it was part of a pre-European Maori pa.
“There’s certainly evidence of this,” Michael says. “When I was constructing the stone walls, I came across mussel shells and a few artefacts which indicated Maori history.”
The stone walls are one of the features that distinguishes this picturesque property from other Karaka Bays homes: they’re part of an enchanting cottage garden at the rear of the 756-square metre section.
“It’s rare in this location to enjoy a sea view on one side and a private garden on the other,” Sue says.
Their home has been profiled twice in The Evening/Dominion Post, where it was described as “a bach in the city” and a “seaside garden”.
It’s also been a party home, having hosted functions for broadcasters, musicians, opera singers and politicians, and was the temporary residence of Poldark’s Aidan Turner when he was filming The Hobbit.
The 155sqm weatherboard and iron roof dwelling is one of the oldest homes in Karaka Bays, and improvements have been sympathetic to the original character.
The front door opens off a wraparound veranda into the first of the living rooms, which, along with the adjoining lounge, looks over Steeple Rock towards the eastern hills and the Orongorongos.
The lounge is open-plan with the kitchen and dining area, which has atrium-style glazing and opens to the garden and a sheltered deck; chattels include a Smeg range, rangehood and dishwasher.
The first of the bedrooms includes a built-in bunk bed and shelves, opens to the deck and could be used for an office or Airbnb accommodation.
There’s also a downstairs bathroom - shower cabinet, vanity, toilet - while the rest of the bedrooms and another bathroom and separate toilet are upstairs.
The main bedroom faces the sea and opens to a balcony while the third bedroom opens to a large deck over the garage.
Other features include a woodburner, laundry, single garage and off-street parking.
“This home is part of a tightly held enclave on the water’s edge,” Pano Focas, of Ray White, says.
“It’s exceptionally sunny for the area, is two minutes from Wellington’s best beaches and being at the southern end of Karaka Bays means it’s within an easy walk of Seatoun Village.”
The property has a rateable value of $1.16 million.