Retreat to this Karekare Beach pad

134 Lone Kauri Road, Karekare. Photo / Ted Baghurst.

134 LONE KAURI RD, KAREKARE

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SIZE: Land 5.78ha, house 150sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $700,000. Auction April 24.

INSPECT: Saturday 2-3pm.

ON THE WEB: Kellands.co.nz/89835

SCHOOL ZONES: Lone Kauri School (part of Oratia District School), Henderson High School.

CONTACT: Tim Collins Smith, Kellands, ph 300 4001 or 021 909 149

FEATURES: Renovated home with open-plan living overlooking Karekare Beach. North-facing aspect with deck surveying bush property that has stream, waterhole and waterfall. Spa pool with sea views.

After three years of trying to find an affordable "bolt hole" on the east coast close to Auckland, Linda Farrelly realised she had been looking in all the wrong places.

When she changed her focus to the west coast four years ago, she struck pay dirt straight away at a home overlooking Karekare Beach. Linda, who is soon to leave her job as sales director for Mediaworks' TV3 and Four, wanted somewhere to recharge her batteries away from the stresses of her job and the city.

"When you work in a high-pressure environment, it's great to be able to get away to somewhere like this; it grounds you," she says.

The previous owner had renovated and remodelled the house, so Linda focused on the outdoors - extending the north-facing deck and clearing gorse on the section, which is part-pasture, part-bush.

"The idea with the deck was to design it so it didn't need a railing, so you could sit inside and still enjoy the view. And the architect, Peter Townsend, did a good job of that."

The deck on the house's seaward western end has a glass balustrade as does the spa pool, which shares the sea view.

Linda has also tidied up the track down to the stream. "I wanted a project but clearing that track down to the bush almost killed me."

She has built a cairn on the point at which the track branches. Heading left leads to the waterhole and waterfall, while going right leads up another track to the beach. "The waterhole is beautiful for a swim in summer when the sun is going right in there."

Getting closer to nature is one of the reasons Linda bought the property but she also loves that the home is comfortable and warm when the weather turns nasty. "There's nothing like having the fire going and a glass of wine while the weather is howling outside."

The living room's open fire is just one of the improvements the previous owner made. The aluminium joinery and large glass sliding doors he added bring in the view. A music lover, he also put speakers throughout the house and outdoors. A new kitchen with stainless steel benches was installed and the main bathroom tiled and upgraded with twin shower heads and speakers. The tiled shower box also has bench seats and can be used as a sauna.

"You can sit in there in the middle of winter and it's lovely with the music going and it all steams up," says Linda.

At the eastern end of the house, the master bedroom opens to the deck and the north-facing view of the bush-clad valley. Linda has added bunks to the guest bedroom, where there is another bathroom.

"It's a wonderful house for parties or family gatherings because you can open the whole house up to the deck and get the music going," she says.

Linda has lived here full-time for six months but, after 17 years with Mediaworks, is leaving to join her boyfriend in the South Island.

"I'm still in two minds about selling this place but I think it is time to let it go and let someone else enjoy it."