This Marlborough home is so close to the water you can be fishing from the balcony and diving from the front deck.
Holiday homeowners, Christchurch workers Sue and Rob Allison are now marketing their 'boat house' thorough Bayleys agent Roger Jones.
“It’s like being on a boat - it’s so immediate - but without having a sea sickness,” Sue says.
The house was built as a boat shed in 1930s then done-up as a Kiwi bach in 1960s.
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In the early 2000s a previous owner, who was a boat-builder, renovated the bach and made it home where him and the family have lived for 14 years.
As a keen also added an outside sink, a bench, and a barbeque area - perfect to cook up freshly caught fish.
“He’s done it up so beautifully, with a lot of attention to details,” Sue says.
The property is one of a dozen on the shore that were on leasehold land not on foreshore scenic reserve land, he says.
A ten-year leasehold made the Waikawa Bay property affordable as otherwise the sale would reach “millions”.
Her favourite feature of the house is it’s closeness to nature - waking up to the sound of waves and birds harmonising - while only being an hour-long forest walk away from Picton shops (or a five minute drive).
“What I love is the connection you have with the sea. You hear it swish against the wall. You can hear and smell the sea.”
The other side of the house faces native bush.
“You feel encapsulated in the bush. We put more native plants in and there are tui and fantails singing behind you,” Sue says.
Bayleys agent Roger Jones says a house is a “piece of paradise” and a dream come true for outdoor lovers.
“In the high tide you could dive straight into the water and go swimming.”
Avid paddleboarder and kayaker Sue says there is a lot of storage areas, a boat shed and a garage to keep the gear in.
Jones says the “true Kiwi bach” can be easily accessed by a boat with a safe mooring space and jetty for public use. It also has off-road parking and a garage.
“Most of holiday homes here are about 20-25 metres away from the water's edge so this is really a unique place.”
Living in the heart of Marlborough Sound, on the water's edge is a lifestyle choice, he says.
“It’s incredibly peaceful, calming, soothing and relaxing.”
The waterside bach receives plenty of afternoon light as it’s facing the north-west side of the sound.
The upstairs is a master bedroom, a bunk room, bathroom and an open plan lounge and kitchen with a spacious balcony.
Sue says the balcony overlooking the Sound has the perfect combination of light exposure and wind protection and is her favourite spot to read a book and relax.
Downstairs has another two bedrooms and a recently renovated bathroom with a deck almost on the water at high tide.
Click on the listing below to find out more
