Waiheke Island - Far from the madding crowd

One of only two homes in one of Waiheke's most undeveloped bays is for sale, with a rich history to pass on to new owners.

Woodside House, Woodside Bay, Waiheke Island.

In the 1860s a Reverend Kissling built two villas at Woodside Bay on Waiheke Island - one for each of his daughters.

But some years later the sisters had a falling out, and one had her house picked up and barged to nearby Ponui Island, where it is thought to still stand today.

The other sister continued to live at this home, Woodside House, and although it has since passed through a succession of owners only one other house has ever been built at its bay of the same name.

This elegant villa still gazes across the Waitemata to Clevedon, through the arms of a pohutukawa so established and grand that it is affectionately referred to as ``Queenie''.

The current owners, Janet and Roland Layard-Liesching, live in New York but have come here for long summer holidays. Janet is a New Zealander and one of their daughters lives in Auckland and has often visited the house for weekends.

``When we were looking for a place about four years ago I wanted to find somewhere that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up,'' recalls Janet from her home in New York. ``And this place did that for me. It was like having your own private beach, away from the madding crowd.''

Neil has been Janet and Roland's trusted caretaker of Woodside House for the past two and a half years, living in the cottage at the bottom of the hill. He would dearly like to stay on if the new owners wish it, and Janet cannot say enough in his favour.

``He's put so much love and care into the property, and he's a superb cook. I have to plead with him to stop baking for me when I visit,'' she laughs.

Neil has grown a magnificent kitchen and flower garden during his time here, and developed a flock of seven hens and a rooster called Robert. They provide about half a dozen eggs a day.

Neil also arranged for the cottage to be rebuilt on its original 1920s footprint. Constructed of marine ply boards and battens, it comprises a cosy kitchen, dining and living area, a walk-in pantry, one bedroom and a bathroom.

An impressive 1901 coal range found in Kaitaia by Neil has been given a new life providing heat for the cottage and its water, and as a stovetop and oven.

As you walk across a couple of ponds to the main house's driveway you pass through trees full of birdlife. As well as pohutukawa there is a huge old puriri and a collection of nikau.

Two wood pigeons sit fat and fearless above us, while tui call above them and kingfishers look on. Muscovy, mallard and paradise ducks strut past with their ducklings.

At the top of the hill Woodside House greets you with its wide return verandahs. You enter through French doors into the kitchen, which sits just above the dining and living area.

This whole north face of the house opens through French doors to a verandah, while more doors at the east and west allow sun to flood into this space throughout the day.

A hallway leads past a bathroom and two sweet bedrooms to another living area that faces southwest. Off here is the master bedroom and en suite. In this room you can wake up to the view through Queenie to the sea and sky.

Janet and Roland smartened up the interior of the house while retaining its relaxed, farmhouse feel.

``It was one of the original post offices on the island, and we didn't want to take away that sense of character,'' says Janet.

A heritage listing prevents the exterior being changed, but Janet and Roland did gain permission to build a separate dwelling on the property, which the new owner could action.

This would, after all, return Woodside House to the neighbourly situation in which it started life more than 140 years ago.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: *

SIZE: Land 2.2ha, house 150sq m (approx), plus cottage.

PRICE INDICATION: $4.75 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.premium.co.nz # WAI10241

CONTACT: Chris Palmer, Premium, ph 0274 734 721, 372 5047 a/h, 372 1083 bus.

FEATURES: Historic 1860s villa with sea views in quiet, undeveloped bay near the Whakanewha Regional Park. Could be renovated but is charming as is. Caretaker's cottage, substantial fruit, vegetable and flower gardens, laying hens. Magnificent trees and prolific birdlife.

*No garage but lots of parking.