Lakeside seclusion ideal for tourism

An aerial view of Lake Ohakuri, which is the biggest man-made hydro lake on the Waikato River. Photo / Supplied

Formerly a lakeside camping ground, a large piece of land on the shores of Lake Ohakuri north of Taupo, with adjoining former forestry land, has been placed on the market by Carter Holt Harvey.

The 112ha site at Lake Ohakuri was part of the original Kinleith Forest Estate, with a narrow strip of land adjoining the lake being used as a camping ground since the 1970s.

The camp was closed in 2006 but could be reopened with refurbishment by a new buyer. It could also be an ideal site for a boutique development like a lodge or adventure camp.

Lake Ohakuri is the largest man-made lake on the Waikato River covering 12sq km and was created in 1961 with the building of the Lake Ohakuri hydro-electric dam. It is a popular recreational area used for water-skiing, fishing, picnicking and duck shooting.

The Lake Ohakuri property is being marketed through Bayleys Real Estate, with expressions of interest closing on February 23.

Bayleys senior sales consultant Michael Pleciak said the property could also lend itself to development sites under the Lake Ohakuri Development Zone ranging in size from 350sq m to more than 4000sq m with the bulk of lots being in the 600-800sq m range.

"The zone provides for some flexibility in the type and intensity of developments permitted and could, for example, allow for something similar in concept to the popular Matarangi beach resort on the Coromandel," Pleciak said.

Great efforts had been taken in the planning application to create and maintain the surrounding forest environment in conjunction with the natural beauty of the lake itself.

"Any developments would have to provide for a large public waterfront reserve. The zone could also see an extensive village green with community facilities being a feature of a development," Pleciak said.

The Lake Ohakuri site benefits from being in a central position - 30 minutes' drive from Taupo, 45 minutes from Rotorua, just over three hours from Auckland, and about 2 hours from Tauranga.

Pleciak says it was rare for a development site of Lake Ohakuri's size to come on to the market as most waterfront real estate was either planted in maturing pine forest or owned by private farms. "As a result, the peace and seclusion which can be found at this site is a far cry from the busier resort locations found in the Taupo and Rotorua lakes district. Obviously this is one of the reasons why the campground was so popular."

The site had been landscaped, complementing the variety of mature trees around the lakefront area and creating a park-like feel.

Carter Holt Harvey said it had always been the company's strategy to unlock the property's potential. During the intervening period since the campground closed and subsequent logging operations, the company had sought consent from the Taupo District Council for the creation of bach-like, low intensity residential sites.

The development under the Lake Ohakuri Development Zone has been approved as part of the Taupo District Plan - with consent for up to 190 lots. The land holding allows for uses such as lakeside residential sections, a lodge, or a small number of large-scale private retreats. The site has been laid out to maximise the north-facing aspect of the bare land.