Located in a secluded bay in the Hauraki Gulf, a century-old retreat is up for grabs. The home, referred to as “the barefoot bach” by its current owner, Tony Paterson, is a waterfront property with direct access to the beach. Paterson, who fell in love with the house while on a ferry ride to a family wedding, describes the journey to the property as a meditative experience.
The house, located at 46 Arran Bay Road, Waiheke, is surrounded by native forests teeming with wildlife, including tūī, weka, kaka, and kerurū in the trees, and kingi, orca, and stingrays in the bay. Blue penguins even nest under the house, prompting the previous owner to build a separate little house for them on the property.
Built in 1907 from locally milled kauri wood, the house was initially a holiday home for settlers from Coromandel. Paterson, a litigation lawyer, worked remotely from the property for two years, enjoying the tranquil environment and the sound of the waves while working.
The property is part of The Arran Bay Club, a residents’ community that maintains the road, shared wharf, and boat ramp. The community also organizes activities like fishing competitions and sports days. The homes have riparian rights, and a common path allows residents to walk from one side of the bay to the other at high tide.
Paterson has repainted the house and added digital water meters to the tanks. He also obtained resource consent and architectural plans for extensive renovations, which will be included in the sale. However, since he now lives in Queenstown, he has decided to sell the property.
The four-bedroom property, measuring 98 square meters, is for sale via price negotiation with Bayleys, with an RV of $2.425 million. According to Paterson, the property would be perfect for anyone who loves boating, as it comes with a boat shed and boat ramps.
