An island lifestyle property, minutes by boat from the Motueka in Tasman Bay is being marketed by NZ Sotheby’s International agents Kylie Jones and John Bampfylde for $1.575 million.
The property, which has been fully renovated and run as charming holiday rentals by owners Gail and Murray Jewell, who are downsizing to do some travelling of their own.
“We’re living in paradise, says Gail. “We could be anywhere in the world. It’s an amazing climate here, just lovely. Someone could make a great life here, we just love it.”
Start your property search
A decade ago, former Christchurch City Councillor Gail and her husband Murray had been combing the South Island for a holiday place. They’d rejected the idea of Nelson or Motueka area, thinking it too far away. Gail fancied a place with land, Murray a place near the sea, and that mix was hard to find.
But nine years ago, a friend who knew better invited the couple for a weekend and showed them an extraordinary spot – a bach on Jackett Island, just out from Motueka.
“I went ‘yesssss’ immediately,” says Gail. “It’s one of only 14 properties on the island, all on an average of 11 acres. It’s an island of two halves, as some people come across from Motueka, others from the other end of the island. Only three of us are permanent.”
Starting their new island life was delayed by the February 2011 earthquake: the couple had closed on the property a mere 15 minutes before the quake started. Their own house in North Beach was affected, so Gail decided to stay for six months to help recovery while Murray headed north to clear the land and begin renovations on the house.
There was plenty for them to do. The nearly five hectare property had been surrounded by massive pine tree plantation that obscured the house (and views of the sea), but had over a kilometre of sandy beach and plenty of places for swimming and boating. There was an old bach, but it did have the benefit of mains power and water connection to the mainland, one of the few on the island. Since then, the couple have added fibre, meaning they can easily run their business.
The old property is unrecognisable. The Jewells replaced roof and walls with Colour Steel, replaced all the joinery with sliding doors that open to those views, put in new kitchen and bathrooms and adding another wing and decks. The three bedroom main house carves into two properties, a one bedroom for Gail and Murray and a two bedroom self-contained cottage that is rented year round for holiday accommodation. Both have private decks with sweeping views (so private that one has a sunken bath for the best bathing views ever) while the other has a rustic bathing shed (hot water, courtesy of a gas bottle).
More recently, the Jewells relocated the back of a curtain sider truck to a spot near the beach, tucking a romantic bedroom and ensuite into the tiny house.
It’s no wonder that their accommodation business attracts visitors from all over the world, many heading to or from Abel Tasman National Park (Kateriteri, the start of the journey, is 25 minutes away). City folk from Wellington or Nelson squeeze in weekend breaks all year round. The Jackett Island cottages already have bookings through until March 2020, so Gail and Murray are selling the houses, chattels (including dinghy, tractor and beach buggy) and business as a going concern.
There’s a separate workshop and laundry, boat shed, garaging and more.
The pair has decided that it is time to do more of their own travelling, so are leaving their island paradise.
