Location: Sitting waterside on Kawau Island, the house is owned by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. There's a flagpole out the front on which guests can raise the RNZYS colours each morning.
Getting there: We caught a water taxi — well, a Frenchman with a boat — from Leigh on Friday night. Heading home on the Sunday afternoon, we booked the ferry service. Both cost about the same for four adults and four kids. The jetty is right in front of the house.
What's in the neighbourhood: The Kawau Boating Club is a one-minute walk away. One minute the other way is a former copper-smelting site, the ruins of which are signposted as being too dangerous for a good rummage. So, yes, I had a good rummage.
Room with a view? You'll struggle to find better. This is Kiwi coastal paradise. Wake up, open the curtains and you're looking straight up the glorious Bon Accord Harbour. There are a few houses dotted around the water's edge. Yachts on the water; Bliss in the air.
How big: Lidgard House can sleep up to eight people in three rooms. One room has a queen-size bed, another has two singles and the third is the kids' crash pad, with four singles packed in. The place was refitted 18 months ago, so it all feels very new and lovely.