A family getaway in the gulf

356-358 Blind Bay Rd, Great Barrier Island

356-358 BLIND BAY RD, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

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SIZE: Land on two titles, combined 1618sq m, house 110sq m, deck off main house 100sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: In excess of $500,000. For sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: Strictly by appointment.

ON THE WEB: http://rwponsonby.co.nz/auckland/great-barrier-island/356-358-blind-bay-road-10657971/

SCHOOL ZONES: Kaitoke School.

CONTACT: Kym Aikin, 021 596 222 Ray White Ponsonby.

*OSP FOR 2

In the 1970s, Trevor Berry would head to Great Barrier Island to surf with his mates. "Trevor's a Kiwi, born and raised," says his wife Linda, who hails from Canada.

"In those days, he and his friends would surf all day and then sleep on the beach. Then, one day, one of his friends said there were Barrier sections for sale, so he bought one, sight-unseen."

Eventually, Trevor and Linda bought an adjacent section and built a getaway for themselves and Trevor's then-young son, Kelsey. It's a house designed for family and friends to come together, but it also provides a sanctuary for the couple when it's just the two of them.

The master bedroom is on the uppermost level, accessed from the main part of the house by external stairs, a space where Linda and Trevor can have their privacy. Off their bedroom is a private balcony, a favourite spot for Linda to practise yoga in the mornings and where she can look out to the spectacular views.

The couple both have sailing backgrounds and met sailing in Canada. Linda's marketing business is focused on the global yachting scene and mechanical engineer Trevor has been involved with several America's Cup regattas.

Their love of the sea is reflected in elements of their holiday home's design, such as the centrepiece of the kitchen, a stunning copper-clad island bench, which is evocative of old copper-bottomed boats, where the metal was used for anti-fouling. Trevor crafted many of the benches and cabinetry himself, using marine-grade plywood and spar varnish.

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The kitchen is in the centre of the home, the social space where everyone comes together when others are staying, accommodated in two double guest bedrooms. Bifold doors open on to a large deck that runs the width of the house, a perfect spot to take in the vista.

Evocative of a camping ground ablution block, the bathroom is separate from the main house. Anyone coming back from the beach, which is three minutes' walk away, can wash the sand off before coming back inside.

The Berrys' place is at Okupu, on the western side of the island, only a short drive from the surf at Medlands Beach. There's plenty of storage for surfboards and other water toys on the property, which can be locked up securely when the house is not in use.

Linda fondly recalls Kelsey snorkelling with friends when he was about 12 years old. "They were in front of the house in the lagoon we call the fish hook," Linda recalls. "They were right among gannets diving into the water for fish and when they came back to the house their eyes were as big as saucers."

Linda and Trevor live north of Helensville, so often fly out from the airfield at Dairy Flat, an 18-minute flight.

It's about a 30-minute trip from the domestic terminal at Auckland airport and 15 minutes' drive from the airfield at Claris to their bach.

Alternatively, they like to pack up their Hilux Surf with their gear and two dogs, Lucky and Willow, and catch the vehicular ferry from Wynyard Quarter. The four-hour ferry ride becomes part of the holiday.

"It's a really social thing to do," Linda says. "I'll get a coffee and a muffin and Trevor gets a mince and cheese pie. You meet people from all over the world."

As special as their piece of paradise has been to them, Linda and Trevor are selling now as they're not getting to the Barrier as much as they'd like to, thanks to Trevor's America's Cup commitments. "It's a place that needs people and it needs kids," says Linda.