Kawau: The great escape

Little Vivian Bay, Kawau

Sold by: David Savery, Saverys Real Estate, ph 09 412 8284, 0274 317 172 mob.

Geoff and Rachel van Deursen have just realised every Aucklander's dream of the good life we can enjoy right on our doorstep in the Hauraki Gulf, buying the Little Vivian Bay waterfront property on Kawau Island featured in Heraldhomes May 28. Eighteen months of keeping a keen eye on waterfront properties, briefing friends and relations, as well as real estate agents, paid off. A friend in a neighbouring property in Vivian Bay alerted Geoff to the bach and jetty coming on to the market.

"I grew up in a boating family, my family are keen boaties now and so, of course, we'd spent a lot of time in the Kawau area," says Geoff. "I knew this was special, Kawau still has no hustle and bustle, it's a complete get-away from the city."

Weekend and summer getaways will be fast and easy: the family live only 30 minutes from their mooring at Gulf Harbour, and can be on their jetty in 40 minutes.

Like the previous owners, Colleen and Maureen Gibbs, Geoff and Rachel expect the island magic to stay in the family for more than one generation. Geoff reckons it will be hard for their teenage daughters to tear themselves away on their OE for too long, with the beauty and peace of the island calling them back home.

Already friends and relations are eyeing up long summer stays with the family, as the four-year-old house can sleep up to 13. Geoff expects a regular shuttle of water taxis from Sandspit bearing visitors keen to share in the good life and build a bank of great holiday memories. Geoff is even checking out phone and internet so he can extend stays into the working week. Geoff is even checking out phone and internet so he can extend stays into the working week.