Tutukaka: Natural bliss

You can walk from the bach straight onto the beach - into the cool, clear, clean water to swim or to reach your boat moored out in the bay. 

There are so many aspects to this property that make it a captivating holiday escape. By VICKI HOLDER. 

For a parent, being able to relax on the deck while supervising young children playing on the beach or in the water below is pure heaven. That alone makes this simple traditional bach in a heavenly spot in Pacific Bay, at the entrance to the harbour of in Northland, special. What a blissful way for a family to unwind over the summer season. 

Perched above a long, sandy and pebbled beach frontage, the bach enjoys a warm, northerly aspect in a sheltered bay. On a large, gently contoured property, it's just one of five homes so there are never huge crowds competing for beach space at the height of summer. Unlike many beaches, there's no road running behind the house. It's at the end of a no-exit street so the only visitors who come here are those that know about it already. 

The beach is calm and safe for swimming. You can walk from the bach onto the beach, straight into the cool, clear, clean water to swim or to gain access to your deep water mooring where you can anchor the boat further out in the bay. 

The bach is a classic two-storey home with a concrete block base and plywood above. Children can sleep in two bedrooms downstairs or upstairs in two small adjoining bunkrooms. There's also a double bedroom upstairs for adults plus a living area, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. 

The owners, who live in the US, bought it about 15 years ago as an investment and have rented it out. Now, it's a great opportunity to redevelop and create a more upmarket home in a superb location from which to explore what is considered one of New Zealand's top tourist destinations. 

Just 30 minutes' drive from Whangarei, Tutukaka is regarded as the jewel in the Northland crown. No wonder it's referred to as The Paradise Coast. It's a beautiful natural harbour with a number of little sandy bays to visit. There's Matapouri with its stunning, peaceful cliff walk. There's Woolleys Bay, Sandy Bay for surfing and at the end of the headland, Whangaumu Bay. These beaches are generally uncrowded and fringed by pohutukawa trees. 

The harbour has developed tremendously in the past few years with its superb marina for mooring bigger boats, the Deep Sea Anglers Club, the Dive Centre and cafes. 

One of the latest developments, the New Oceans Hotel Resort - which includes hotel apartments and retail space - will be completed in January. It is a huge $23 million dollar development that will add to the attraction of the area. 

Renowned internationally for its game fishing, the Tutukaka coast is a gateway to some of New Zealand's best diving sites. Jacques Cousteau recognises the Poor Knights Islands as one of the best diving areas in the world. They have spectacular tropical and subtropical life forms and underground caves and tunnels. Several dive charters go out to the Poor Knights and include a visit to the world's largest sea cave, named Rikoriko. Two ex-Navy boats, the Tui and the Waikato, were wrecked off the coast and the pair have become a haven for divers. 

With so much going for it, you'd think this bach would have been swept up by somebody as soon as it was available. Bayleys sales agent John Ledingham has been surprised by the lack of urgency in the market when normally anything waterfront is so hot. 

"With the media talk of the market easing from the dizzy heights of last year, people are sitting on their hands. But these owners are prepared to wait," he says. 

As a result the auction has been postponed until February. In the meantime, this gorgeous gem waits for someone to fall in love with it and turn it into the holiday spot of their dreams. 

Vital Statistics 

ADDRESS: Pacific Bay Rd, Tutukaka. 

FEATURES: Traditional Kiwi bach on waterfront; four single bedrooms and one double; sheltered, north-facing bay; calm swimming beach; deep water mooring; 30 minutes from Whangarei; close to many sandy beaches. 

SIZE: Land area 1128sq m. 

AUCTION: February 9, 2005, at Bayleys Maritime Square auction rooms. 

AGENT: John Ledingham, Bayleys. Ph 09 438 2715 bus; 021 786 629 mob.