Waiheke Island: A sense of freedom

Left as it is or developed further, this island paradise within easy reach of Auckland is the definition of escapism. By VICKI HOLDER.

For luxurious escapism less than an hour from Auckland, it's hard to beat Waikopou Lodge, Cowes Bay, on Waiheke Island.

Presiding over its own private beach, with a jetty and all-tide boat ramp at the front door, this large, traditional retreat draws you into a world of peaceful solitude.

With more than 1.5km of waterfront trimmed with craggy pohutukawa trees along three separate swimming coves, the location is spectacular. A backdrop of native bush criss-crossed with easy walking tracks invites you to explore tracts of kauri and rimu trees and the lush palm groves that thrive in Waiheke's warm, subtropical micro-climate.

It's easy to relax and unwind in this magnificent location, where you're spoilt for recreational treats. Limitless water sports are at your beck and call. After a hard day's fishing, kayaking or waterskiing, you can slip into the spa beneath a pretty gazebo and soak your bones. A black, heated swimming pool just below the terrace lets you indulge in the lukewarm water when the sea begins to feel the chill as winter approaches. Decks surrounded by toughened glass provide shelter from the wind, ensuring you never lose sight of the expansive blue harbour beyond.

Carved into the hill above the house, a floodlit, Astroturf tennis court hides behind tall fences where holidaymakers can enjoy a game in the sun until it sets over the hills.

Children are spoilt with numerous spots to run, hide and play in. Swings in the trees along the beach and a tree hut built among the low branches provide endless fun.

Incorporating six double bedrooms and four bathrooms (including two en suites), the house is big enough for a large family and their guests.

The living spaces in this traditional gabled weatherboard home are expansive. Downstairs, french doors open from a large open-plan area and frame the view of the sparkling blue sea and skies with slithers of distant islands in between. Painted soothing neutral tones and with heavy cotton drapes, the room is particularly inviting. In winter you can sit and warm your toes before a blazing fire that throws out the heat. It's not far to go to the wood box, which is stashed just outside on a rear terrace through another set of french doors.

A large kitchen tucked to the rear looks across long Corian benchtops to the dining and sitting areas. Nobody needs to be cut off from the activity or the sensational views. There's plenty of space around a central island for several people to work - serving drinks from one bar and snacks or meals from another.

An adjacent room, smaller than the main area but still a big space, can be used as a study or TV room. It, too, opens to terraces at both ends, so in summer it catches the cool breezes that waft through.

Upstairs, a third living space forgoes the view for a more intimate, night-time atmosphere. It sits to the rear of the house, allowing those in the bedrooms in front to wake to the alluring sight of the sea gently washing on the shore.

Four bedrooms are upstairs and two are downstairs (these open to the terrace). The master suite downstairs has a large walk-through dressing room en route to a slightly dated bathroom. The guest room upstairs has its own wing and a small dressing room.

There's further accommodation (with a bathroom) in the boat shed - a two-storey building that reflects the simple design of the main house.

A cute, two-bedroom, batten-and-board caretaker's cottage is further along the beachfront. It's good to know that somebody is there to look after your property when you are not.

A rare waterfront property with unlimited potential, it could continue to be used as a private home or developed further as an upmarket executive lodge. And with so much land around it, there are plenty more sites to build separate villas without compromising your own sense of freedom and comfort.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Waikopou Lodge, Cowes Bay, Waiheke Island.

FEATURES: Holiday home/lodge on large lifestyle property; 1.5km of coastline; three bays; jetty and all-tide boat ramp; boat shed; floodlit tennis court; swimming pool and spa; two-bedroom caretaker's cottage; main house on the beach with six bedrooms, four bathrooms and three living areas.

SIZE: 27.51ha.

INTERNATIONAL TENDER: Closes 2pm, June 20 (price indicator - $6 million to $8 million).

AGENT: John Greenwood and Clive Lonergan, Bayleys. Ph John 309 6020 bus; 0274 970 077 mob; Clive 09 372 8194 bus; 0274 993 278 mob.