Gulf Harbour: The good life

An Italian-style sun-trap of a home, stunning subtropical gardens and enough amenities to satisfy the most discerning of owners make this a true Whangaparaoa Peninsula gem. By VICKI HOLDER.

Gulf Harbour, at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, is well-known for its assortment of smart American-style designer homes, each a clone of its neighbour.

Rigid covenants, however, didn't dictate the designs in the original part of the development. Here, further up the hill, a diverse array of large, contemporary, free-standing stunners enjoy enviable outlooks across the harbour.

As one of the homes chosen to showcase the burgeoning Gulf Harbour community, this two-level residence set a high design standard in the early days. Since then, the surrounding sites have been snapped up. The parade of properties has matured to form a groomed landscape that has become a favourite spot among those eager to taste the privileges that are part and parcel of the Gulf Harbour lifestyle.

Christina and Grant Bai have lived in their property for four years. Before they bought it they often admired the way the imposing Italian-style house looked out over a wrought-iron balustrade to beautiful subtropical gardens.

Business people who own the local pharmacy in Whangaparaoa village, the Bais were enticed by the home's proximity to the Gulf Harbour Country Club where they swim and play squash and golf on weekends. When they're exhausted after working in the garden, they go there simply to relax in the spa or sauna, and they often eat at the restaurants.

Youthful, sporty, outdoor types, the Bais take great pleasure in the quick walk down through native bush to swim at Okoromai Bay. When the tide rolls out, many of the locals collect pipis from the beach.

In summer, when the America's Cup boats were racing, the Bais could see the rivals charging across the bay from their kitchen window. Spacious living areas peer out to both sides of the peninsula, to Army Bay and Little Barrier on one side and Okoromai Bay on the other.

The views can also be appreciated from an expansive balcony that reaches north from all the upstairs living rooms. Bifold doors draw right back to allow the house to unfold into the view. Sun pours in all day long, making the house particularly warm, even in winter. On cooler nights, a log fire in a traditional timber and travertine surround in the lounge makes this a cosy and relaxing room in which to entertain guests.

When it's windy the Bais can remain outside, taking shelter on another terrace to the rear of the lounge, which also opens off the master bedroom.

To watch sport they can head downstairs to a fourth bedroom the Bais have converted into an entertainment lounge with a wet-bar concealed in the wardrobe. On this lower level, bifold doors in both front rooms ease out to a covered terrace. The barbecue and an alfresco dining setting is just a few steps away beneath a pergola entwined in leafy foliage at the side of the house.

There's a choice of dining options - in or out - between the lounge and a casual living area off the kitchen. An internal dining space looks down over the wrought iron balustrade to the stairwell and out through bifold doors to a loggia on the balcony. If the weather is fine, it's easy to simply switch everything outdoors.

A simple, clean-lined, beachy feel is achieved throughout the casual living area. Warmed by the sun, polished rimu floors are easy on bare feet and there are no curtains to interrupt the views at the windows. Friends can chat across the breakfast bar to their hosts in the kitchen, with its pale avocado cabinetry and a fridge-freezer integrated behind cupboard doors.

Close to the beach, the regional park, a host of sporting amenities and the highly-rated Wentworth College, this easy-living option 10 minutes from Whangaparaoa village treats the owners to the good life in stylish surrounds.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 4 Clansman Tce, Gulf Harbour.

FEATURES: Free-standing home set in beautiful subtropical gardens; harbour views from upper level; walking distance to Gulf Harbour Country Club and beach; four bedrooms, or three plus entertainment lounge; master bedroom with semi-en suite; formal and casual living; log fire in lounge; rimu floors; bifold doors opening to deck and terrace from both levels; internal-access double garaging.

SIZE: Land area 896sq m.

AUCTION: 2pm, August 23, on site.

AGENT: Trevor Hyland, Harcourts Colin Hair Realty, Whangaparaoa. Ph 09 424 1522 bus; 0274 956 306 mob.