Concrete steps up to the back door, a couple of roughcast water tanks, a signature pohutukawa tree in the garden and a gate in the fence opening to the white sands of Oakura Bay – this is the quintessential Kiwi bach, circa 1960s, when the six week-long summer holidays were all about fishing and swimming and gathering shellfish.
Oakura, for those who don’t know it, is a tranquil coastal community in Northland and there’s little to be found here that is pretentious.
The two storeyed, well-built house at 81 Rapata Road has been loved and cared for by its family for over 50 years, and sits comfortably alongside others of its kind, enjoying beautiful views of the bay.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom seaside home is on the market with a deadline sale, ending November 23.
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“This is the kind of property that will capture your imagination and hold a special place in the hearts of your family and friends for years to come,” Bayleys, Whangarei agent Roi Smith-Iri says.
“Oakura Bay is one of Northland’s most desirable but tightly-held locations, so properties like this only see the market every few decades.”
It was carefully designed by its owner as a holiday home to share, with three bedrooms, an upstairs living area and a versatile rumpus room downstairs.
The Oakura house is north-facing so there is all-day sun, and the open-plan living, dining and kitchen offer enchanting views across the bay and beyond. Photo / Supplied
It's all about the beach at 81 Rapata Road - swimming, exploring, kayaking and fishing. Photo / Supplied
Happily, the current owners have strenuously resisted any temptation to sacrifice its retro charm for the archetypal ‘modern coastal sanctuary’.
“Dad designed it so well that it always worked perfectly for us,” they say.
Sandy feet are welcome here. The particle board floors and casual rugs make for easy cleaning and the beachy colour scheme of off-whites encourages relaxation. The north-facing position delivers all-day sun, and the open-plan living, dining, kitchen and added porch offer enchanting views across the bay and beyond.
The utility shed, smoker, and large double garage provide all the facilities for the usual holiday activities of boating and fishing. The two roller doors and removable pillar allow additional space for a large boat and tractor, and there’s boat launching access nearby.
Travelling up from South Auckland for the Christmas, Easter and school holidays, the family always stopped at Whangarei for lunch and to visit the second-hand book shop on Vine Street for comics and other summer reading material.
81 Rapata Road was designed by its owner as a holiday home with three bedrooms, an upstairs living area and a versatile rumpus room downstairs. Photo / Supplied
The vendors recall days spent swimming and exploring the rock pools, and eating hot smoked snapper on trestle tables under the pohutukawa. Photo / Supplied
And then the days were spent swimming and exploring the rock pools, and eating hot smoked snapper out of the smoke house, on trestle tables under the pohutukawa.
“There was never a need to go elsewhere,” the vendors say.
More recently they have spent family holidays there with their own children, and the activities are much the same – swimming, exploring, kayaking, fishing and reading under the pohutukawa, which is larger than the house.
The older children book the bach for friends, taking advantage of the big rumpus room on the ground floor. Holiday activities have expanded to include the odd gin and tonic or glass of bubbles while enjoying the views.
And if ever the weather is inhospitable, the rumpus room has plenty of room for lounging, and bookcases stacked with enough reading material for least for at least another 54 summers.
– Sponsored by Bayleys
