Imagine taking that first deep breath of fresh air that heralds the beginning of a blissful holiday, then remembering you don’t have to go home … because this is home.
Most of us can only dream of a lifestyle that feels like an eternal holiday. Now it’s possible at 136 Cowes Bay Road on Waiheke Island. It was a case of “love at first sight” when the current owners first laid eyes on this absolute-waterfront, six-hectare estate in 2016.
“The moment we saw this property, we were in awe. It’s very special. It’s like owning a glorious Herne Bay villa in a very special private bay in the most peaceful part of Waiheke. This property really is irreplaceable.”
136 Cowes Bay Road on Waiheke Island is on the market for sale by tender closing March 20. The beachfront property has a 2021 RV of $8 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2016 for $6.5m.
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Built in 1910 out of locally sourced kauri, this stately weatherboard four-bedroom, two-bathroom homestead proudly stands on the shores of Waiheke’s secluded Waikorariki Bay.
The villa has been lovingly and meticulously maintained over the years. Original tongue and groove ceilings and floors are married with a modern, luxurious interior fitout, its designer Italian kitchen and bathrooms making cooking, entertainment, and relaxation a delight. Closer to the water, an additional two-bedroom guest cottage effortlessly caters for extended family.
The expansive lawn seamlessly blends in with the water’s edge, perfect for intimate family gatherings and waterfront weddings. Lush gardens and mature bush marry heritage with nature, while a thriving vegetable garden overloads the dining table with fresh produce year-round.
The six-hectare estate is one of only two homes on this private beach. Photo / Supplied
The 1910 villa has four bedrooms while the guest cottage has two bedrooms. Photo / Supplied
Water sports are knitted into the lifestyle here, made effortless thanks to the shared private jetty mere metres from the villa’s wrap-around veranda. Fishing is a popular pastime for many on this side of Waiheke, while swimmers, sailors, paddle boarders, jet skiers, and kayakers regularly make an appearance in the bay.
“For those who enjoy more sedentary activities, nothing beats waking up to the sound of gentle lapping on a sunny summer morning and spending the day reading a good book in the daybed beneath one of the beachfront pōhutukawa trees.
“The property is also a fabulous retreat during the winter months.”
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Pene Milne says this retreat isn’t just a home; it’s a legacy for generations to come.
“136 Cowes Bay Road is the kind of property that could be handed down from one generation to another, creating unforgettable memories along the way,” she says.
The villa has been meticulously maintained over the years with original tongue and groove ceilings and floors, a modern, luxurious interior fitout and designer Italian kitchen. Photo / Supplied
Water sports and fishing are knitted into the lifestyle here, with a shared private jetty mere metres away from the main house. Photo / Supplied
“In fact, a previous family owned the property for five generations before selling it in 2014. It’s also one of only two homes on this private beach which adds to that wonderful sense of escapism. It’s only 15 minutes to Onetangi, 25 minutes to the car ferry, and a few minutes to renowned Passage Rock and Poderi Crisci wineries. This superior property is handy to the best of Waiheke while feeling like it’s miles from anywhere.”
While their time here has created treasured, lifelong memories, it’s time for the current owners to move on.
“We and our extended family have loved the weekends and holidays we’ve spent here over the last eight years. We’ve always loved Waiheke with its array of activities, vineyards, dining options and very special pace of life.
“However, now that many family members have moved to Europe and North America, the property doesn’t get used like it once did. It’s time to pass the mantle onto another family who will love this special place as much as we have.”
- Sponsored by New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty
