Tamahere: Luxury lodge

In the heart of bloodstock country between Hamilton and Cambridge, this substantial home is hard to beat on the luxury front, writes VICKI HOLDER.

Overlooking the Waikato River and set among manicured grounds in bloodstock country, this huge country lodge offers wonderful living and accommodation areas, including a gym, billiard room, office and boardroom facilities.

Designed by Peter Chibnall and built by Steve Wilcock, it sprawls across level, landscaped grounds in Tamahere.

As you approach the main house, a gate house greets visitors at the entrance. Entry to the house is across a footbridge straddling a moat that surrounds the house. It leads to a grand entrance foyer with marble floors and a sweeping central staircase, which is one of three stairways in the house.

The home boasts a level of luxury seldom found in New Zealand homes, with air-conditioning and heated floors and ceilings.

The main lounge has an open log fire. The kitchen is stunning with natural timbers on the cabinetry and walls. Granite benchtops are married with slate floors. All five bedrooms have en suites. The master bedroom, living areas and office open to private balconies. On the ground floor, there is a large serpentine pool, a spa pool and a bar with facilities beside a gym. While there are two bedrooms on the ground, the others are above the first-floor living level.

The property has four-car garaging and its own registered boat ramp within the grounds that overlook the fourth tee of the Narrows Golf Course. Operating as a family home, the substantial nature of the house makes it well-suited as a top-class country lodge in the heart of the bloodstock industry between Hamilton and Cambridge.

The property is being sold by tender, which closes on October 3. For further details contact Phil Turner of Harveys, Taupo, on 07 378 1112 bus; 07 377 2262 ah; 021 325 010 mob.