Since 1972, the owners of the Kiwi bach at 17 Otautu Wharf Rd on the Coromandel have resisted the temptation to "upstyle".
The sturdy seaside cottage remains the archetypal Kiwi holiday home -- true to its origins, immaculately maintained and without any pretensions to stylish living. There are no smartstainless steel appliances or designer furnishings here, and that's the way the owners like it. It has a charm and simplicity of its own and it's casual, comfortable and relaxed.
It retains a vintage look that includes 60s light fittings, wallpaper, patterned carpet and a perfectly preserved retro bathroom with formica walls and a bright teal shub bath. However, one essential modernisation has been a water tank and a new hot water system. "We used to draw water from the camping ground but eventually there were sustainability issues so all the baches got their own tanks. My son's a plumber so we went with the infinity system, and I have to say it's lovely," says part-owner Stephen Lowe.
The bach has been in his family for more than 40 years, and holds cherished memories of four generations of family holidays.
Ownership longevity is a feature of Otautu -- baches rarely come up for sale, and the same family has owned the farm and camp there for generations.
"We used to come camping down here and stay in a caravan in the dunes," recalls Stephen.
"I think there were only nine baches here then -- now there are 10 -- and one year one of them came up for sale and my parents bought it."
Built in the 60s, the bach is typical of its era with the road running behind it, and the lawn sweeping unimpeded down to the beach. "We used to waterski right up to it," Stephen says.
Eventually he and his brother bought their parents out and the two families have shared it since. Stephen has three children and his brother four, and now grandchildren are also enjoying the place.
The families have used it regularly, once a month or so during winter and once a fortnight between October to the end of April.
Image 1 of 4: This traditional Coromandel family bach comes with decades of happy memories
They have usually come at different times but there's plenty of room to accommodate joint families and friends, with sleeping space for eight.
Otautu is the ideal bay for family holidays with its safe, white sand swimming beach, good fishing, plenty of water space for skiing and kayaking, and the camping ground along the road supplying plenty of mates for kids' summer friendships.
Colville, the most northerly settlement on the Coromandel Peninsula, is about eight minutes down the road and the last place for provisioning on the way north along the Coromandel Peninsula.
For Steve, the bay is essentially a place to relax and he likes to read, potter around and go for walks. The living area looks straight out to the bay and the two club chairs set in front of the window leave no doubt as to how time here is spent.
