- Alan Tomkins’ family is selling their Lake Hāwea bach, bought for $25,000 in 1980.
- The property, now with an RV of $1.675m, is expected to sell for much more.
- Lake Hāwea property prices have surged but remain reasonable compared to Wānaka.
Alan Tomkins paid just $25,000 in 1980 for his bach at John Creek on Lake Hāwea. Three generations of his family have enjoyed holidays at the bolthole, but now, after 46 years, they are selling up, and prices in the tiny community have increased a hundred-fold.
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Tomkins, granddaughter Anita, has called the two-bedroom spread at 4 Hodgkinson Street home for the last few years and shared its history with OneRoof.
When her grandfather bought the property, the 1144sqm section was home to a vintage, green crib, which he soon replaced with the bach that’s there now. The neighbouring cribs were pretty much identical, except painted different colours. One remains in the suburb, and, says Anita, is rented to holidaymakers.
The two-bedroom bach replaced an older crib in 1986 and boasts clear views of the lake. Photo / Supplied
The vendor says she will miss her time at John Creek, including childhood holidays there with her sister. Photo / Supplied
A playful notice shows just how close the bach is to the water. Photo / Supplied
Anita is the only family member who has ever lived in the crib full-time. “My grandfather lived in St Clair, in Dunedin. He was in the tannery business and part-owner of Green Island and Mosgiel [tanneries].”
She remembers holidays in the tiny crib, and then in her granddad’s brand new build. “As kids, my sister and I would go up and stay with granddad. He’d send you out to forage for driftwood and [pine] cones for the fire. We were always out on the lake and the bike tracks. It’s such a great area to explore for kids.”
After Tomkins died, the bach passed to his son Ross, and then to Anita and her sister, whom Anita bought out. “That’s how I came to own it,” she says.
Before the days of Book‑a‑Bach and other rental platforms, the cribs at John Creek were all family-owned and used by their owners. “My family have had every Christmas there, and my nephews have grown up there. It’s been a family hub.”
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Anita has lived at Lake Hāwea full-time for around 15 years, working as manager of a nearby resort. She’s decided now’s the time to move back home to Dunedin, and to let another family enjoy 4 Hodgkinson Street.
She’ll miss the bach and the neighbourhood, though. “On winter nights, I would sit out on the deck and just look at the night sky, which is amazing. The stars, and you can see the Milky Way.”
The property has an RV of $1.675 million, but Ray White listing agent Brett Jenkins says he expects it to sell for much more.
Some of the buyers who have called want to build a new home on the section, but most want to keep the 1980s bach and modernise it.
A luxury Lake Hāwea home on Skinner Crescent, designed by renowned architect Barry Condon, sold in March for $3.25m. Photo / Supplied
A large family home on over 8000sqm at 70 Nichol Street, in Lake Hāwea, is for sale for $3.795m. Photo / Supplied
Property prices in John Creek and nearby Lake Hāwea have exploded in recent years, but are still considered reasonable by Queenstown-Lakes standards.
That’s partly because the spot has largely flown under the radar. “I’ve been sneaking to Lake Hāwea since Christmas 1987,” Jenkins tells OneRoof. “My wife’s from Hāwea, and we live here now.
“In 87, there was one shop, one pub, one garage. There is still one shop, one pub, one garage, although about two years ago we got a wee supermarket.”
The population is increasing, though, as more sections are sold and new homes are built. “There’s talk of there still being well over another 2000 sections yet to be developed out the back of Hāwea.”
There is land set aside for more commercial development, and a gym is on its way, but for most services, residents still need to drive to Wānaka or Albert Town.
Prices aren’t as extreme as they are in Wānaka, where lakefront properties can fetch up to $10m.
Lake Hāwea’s average property value is just over $1.3m, according to the latest OneRoof house price figures. Still, homes in the top price bracket can sell for over $3m, with a four-bedroom luxury pad on Skinner Crescent snapped up for $3.25m in March and a lifestyle block at 70 Nichol Street looking for $3.795m.
- 4 Hodgkinson Street, Lake Hāwea, Queenstown-Lakes, goes to auction on June 11
