Best of both holiday worlds

891 - 893 Cove Rd, Waipu Cove Resort. Pictures/Supplied

891 COVE ROAD, WAIPU COVE

SIZE: One-bed, 34sq m. Three-bed, size not available

PRICE INDICATION: One-bed units $169,000 and $179,000; 3-bed unit $365,000.

INSPECT: by appointment.

ON THE WEB: https://www.bayleys.co.nz/Listing/Northland/Whangarei/Waipu/1800207

SCHOOL ZONES: Waipu School, Kaiwaka School.

CONTACT: Hamish McKay, Bayleys, 021 641165.

Owning a holiday home can be a double-edged sword, with the pleasure of having your own getaway place balanced out by extra maintenance, security and even making the time to use it as often as you'd like.

But Allan and Karyn Job avoided those negatives when they bought their holiday property at Waipu Cove, about an hour and a half north of Auckland.

They've been going to Waipu Cove for holidays for 30 years, initially staying in the camping ground there when their children were just 2 and 3 years old.

The seaside community has a surf club, accommodation, restaurants and cafes, and the impressive, white sand beach where the Job kids swam under the watchful eye of the beach patrol.

"When the kids grew up we progressed to the resort," Allan says, referring to the Waipu Cove resort, which has 12 units on individual titles, operated and maintained under management.

Owners have use rights and when not in use the units are rented out by the resort management.

The complex was originally a motel and when the owners decided to upgrade, Allan saw it as an opportunity.

"We also realised a unit in the resort would offer more luxuries than the camp - like not having to walk through the camp to get to the toilet," Allan says.

They bought their units as they became available and eventually ended up with two one-bedroom units and a three-bedroom.

The three-bedroom unit has two bathrooms and a wraparound deck - a favourite location for barbecues at the end of the day. The resort has a pool, spa, barbecue area and gardens and it's a short walk to the beach.

Image 1 of 6: 891 - 893 Cove Rd, Waipu Cove Resort.

The family has the right to 60 days occupancy a year, and the rest of the time the units are rented out. The Jobs have probably spent around 30 days a year at Waipu, spend Christmas holidays there and most other public holidays throughout the year.

The larger unit is made up of a two-bedroom unit and an adjoining studio, so although it's ideal for family holidays it can also provide income from two separate sources.

The bathroom and bedroom floors and the kitchen area have charcoal tiles, with the living area in a pale grey.

Wall colours in the living areas and bedrooms are off-white and the bathrooms have sea-green walls as a backdrop to contemporary fittings.

Furnishings are simple, as the unit has to be all things to all people because it's rented out to others.

The one-bedroom units each have a double bedroom, sitting area, kitchen with a two-plate hob, small refrigerator and microwave, a bathroom and a west-facing deck to catch the last of the sun.