Soak up the views
From a soulless hull to a fun, family get-away, Donna McIntyre discovers a special place for children of all ages
This private waterfront property with its own jetty on Okiato Point, eight minutes from Russell’s township, is home to two residences — a large twostorey home and a cottage. Boundary Waters has been a holiday gathering place for two decades, says family spokesperson Nathan.
“It gets used a lot, especially in the summer, because now we are on to great grandchildren.” Nathan’s father bought the property in 1997. “When the estate bought it, the main house had been empty for 12 years and was only half finished.
Squatters had attempted to burn it down. The insurance rebuilt it, but it was an empty shell and had not been finished.
“My parents had been looking for a holiday home. We like the ocean and we do a lot of boating. This one has its own floating jetty which really appealed.”
The jetty can accommodate up to five boats and the end berth holds a vessel up to 20m. A boat shed can store a boat measuring up to 8.5m.
Nathan’s father restored the wooden home and tamed the overgrown lawns and garden.
And for 20 years the family has made the threehour car trip from Auckland to Okiato Point to spend time together, enjoy the Bay of Island’s water playground, and their private beach below the homes.
“We call it the big house and the cottage,” says Nathan.” You can sleep seven in the smaller house and 14 in the big home comfortably. But we have had more than that when the family gathers. At New Year, we had tent city on the lawn when all the young kids turned up with their friends.”
And there’s no worry about running out of the water as there’s a bore and five water tanks.
The main home has six bedrooms, four with en suites plus another bathroom, and two levels of independent living.
The double-storey foyer has a grand staircase with an electric stairlift. Both floors have kitchens and open plan living opening to the decks. On the top level this deck wraps around all four sides of the home, and it is the best place to enjoy the sea views over the Veronica Channel to Opua.
The cottage has living spaces, three bedrooms, kitchen, two bathrooms and deck with outdoor furniture and umbrellas.
“Two years ago we decided to get the main home to 100 per cent and did a lot of work on the place. There was a list of stuff - nothing you would even notice from the outside — structural work or things to bring it to current compliance standards so potential buyers don’t need to question whether this or that needs doing.”
A part-time caretaker tends to the wellestablished garden with fountains, goldfish ponds, lawns and bush tracks that go from the house to the cottage 50m away and down to the jetty and beach.
When the family is here, they tend to relax, go boating or to the beach.
“We do a lot of boating — jet skiing, fishing. Going to beaches. Everyone does their own thing and then we gather at nights around that big area on the deck or in the cottage and barbecue up a storm.”
Nathan’s father died five years ago and the family have now decided to sell this property.
“We have been here 20 years.
“Some of us have moved overseas and don’t use it as much; it is a big property for just one family.
“But it is being used and if it gets sold, it gets sold is our attitude.
“My favourite part of the property would be the jetty,” says Nathan. “The ability to walk down and jump on your boat and go somewhere and come back again.”
That is the bit that really makes it, apart from the big house and the view, and that it is private because it is on the peninsula.
“I guess we will miss all that.”