Around 90 years ago, this property on the shores of the Te Kapa Inlet at Mahurangi East in Rodney was celebrated not for its extraordinary location, but for its function as a place where everyone in the bay would come and pick up their groceries. It was called the Brown Owl.
Now it has a new role, as a home created by the family who bought it five years ago and gave it a top-to-toe renovation into a stylish holiday retreat with a main dwelling and three studio ‘boat sheds’.
With riparian rights on the Mahurangi Harbour, the absolute beachfront property is 2076sqm surrounded by pristine coastline renowned for its swimming, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing and boating.
It borders the Mahurangi Regional Park, which offers scenic tracks that give access to explore the stunning views and beaches of the area.
Start your property search
Te Kapa Inlet at Mahurangi East is now on the market for sale by way of tender closing March 23.
Bayleys agent Gabrielle Finlayson describes her first view of the property as “an ‘aaahh!’ moment”. “It would make [an] amazing Airbnb, a retreat, or a private place to create a family legacy.”
There are five bedrooms in the four dwellings, which include the main house and three separate studios. Photo / Supplied
With riparian rights on the Mahurangi Harbour, the property is renowned for its swimming, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing and boating. Photo / Supplied
When the current owners took over, a plan for the refurbishment of the property evolved over the first year or so, as they discovered what the family would need in a holiday home.
There are now five bedrooms in the four dwellings, which include the main house and three separate studios.
The interiors are beautifully finished in simple beach style, allowing the water views to take centre stage. The outdoor entertaining areas are similarly stylish and the owners have hosted many parties on the front deck where the roof fully encloses on all sides to create a large lounge feel.
There’s also a bar which opens up onto a large deck “where we find ourselves in the evenings”.
“We got into the renovation and we just couldn’t stop. And yes, we are absolutely happy with it,” the owner says.
The property is complete with its own 45m jetty, as well as a boathouse with a ramp that can store a jet ski or tender, all the water toys and a Polaris farm buggy.
The interiors are beautifully finished in simple beach style, allowing the water views to take centre stage. Photo / Supplied
The current owners have hosted many parties on the front deck where the roof fully encloses on all sides to create a large lounge feel. Photo / Supplied
One of the biggest drawcards for this family was the short commute from Auckland - 50 minutes from home in the city to the water at Opahi Bay, and then a five-minute boat ride across to the bach.
“Or we take our larger boat straight from Auckland to our jetty, which takes about an hour. It’s also possible to drive around directly to the bach via council farmland and a few hundred metres along the beach.”
For the kids who have enjoyed the property for the past five years, it’s been all about the crab hunting, walking, playing in the water, in the spa, and on the swing up in the bush. “They’re always off devices which we love.”
And for the owners, the real bonus has been the neighbouring regional park. “These are some amazing beaches and walking tracks where you hardly ever come across anyone. It feels like your own farm with manicured walking tracks at your doorstep.”
