NEAREST SCHOOLS:
Whenuakite Primary, Mercury Bay Area School.
CONTACT:
Sheree Henderson, Bayleys, 027 662 9558.
AUCTION:
November 18.
The distinctive Hinuera stone and Palliside weatherboard home at 198 Captain Cook Rd in picturesque Cooks Beach has been everything Noeline and Robert Jackson hoped a beach property would be.
They could launch their boat from the nearby ramp, kayak and swim as often as they wanted.
The couple boughtthe property as a step away from farm life in 2000.
"Well that was the plan, to build down at the beach and still be handy to the farm for work while finding time to do other things, like going fishing and joining groups," says Noeline.
"Which has worked out well, a bit too well, because we are still close," she says, explaining how her husband would automatically hop in his vehicle and go up to the farm every day.
When they bought the beach property it had an existing house. They looked at making a few changes to that dwelling but decided it would be almost the same cost to build new.
So, when the section behind them came up for sale, they shifted the existing home there, made a few improvements and this home was built on the beachfront property.
"We drew up our own plans and built. We had it finished and moved in December 2003."
Being so close to the beach was heaven for Noeline, who describes herself as a mad-keen swimmer, especially in those earlier days.
"It is lovely for boating and swimming, and it is such a safe beach. It is beautiful for the kids to play, and there is a swing, a slide, and a picnic area nearby. Buses come in with loads of people as it is also where Captain Cook landed all those years ago.
"We get dolphins and orcas, too."
The couple designed the house, so the ground level has two bedrooms, a bathroom with a shower big enough for a wheelchair, a second lounge or fourth bedroom and internal access to the double garage with laundry.
Image 1 of 6: Bring your own fishing rod and enjoy the benefits of this beachfront property. Photo / Supplied
The large bathroom plus a lift were included with a view to living here in their twilight years.
"I had a big back operation a couple of years ago and that is why we built that bathroom, but we haven't had to use it for a wheelchair," says Noeline.
"We built the swamp kauri staircase, which is a real feature. Robert wanted a grand staircase like the one he had as a child when he lived in Paeroa."
That staircase leads to a roomy landing. To the left is a toilet for visitors, then the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite with bath, separate shower and toilet. The main living area is open plan, including kitchen, dining and lounge and opening to the large terrace.
"The master bedroom has lovely views and a bay window," says Noeline. From the balcony, they have 180-degree views down to Simpson Beach, Lonely Bay and up the other end into the Purangi inlet.
The home has a been a popular spot for family, especially at Christmas and holidays when grandchildren enjoyed having the beach and a playground so close.
During the cooler months, Noeline and Robert considered getting a fireplace or heat pump but decided they needed only an oil-filled heater for the chilliest days. "It is a very warm house, it's built to the sun."
They like the quietness of Cooks Beach, saying it's just eight weeks in summer that the area gets busy with holidaymakers.
The settlement has a few shops and a restaurant, and residents have a choice of community activities, mostly based at the local hall. Whitianga is a 35-minute drive or five minutes by passenger ferry.
The couple are selling to move to a home with a pontoon and boat ramp in the Whitianga waterways. They imagine their home will appeal to retirees who want to be by the beach or perhaps someone with small children.
