Twinkling aquamarine water, endlessly clear skies, golden hot-hot-hot sand, and pohutukawa trees dusted in crimson.
When you think ‘quintessential’ Kiwi summer holiday, this is what instantly comes to mind. But for every day to feel like you’re on holiday? That’s the dream … and one that could soon become a reality.
An hour north of Auckland lies Martins Bay, a pristine beach that looks like it’s stepped straight off a postcard. Look a little closer and you’ll discover a hidden gem that could make that summer holiday lifestyle much more permanent.
Nestled between the Martins Bay Holiday Park and a smattering of baches lies 287A Martins Bay Road, Martins Bay, Rodney, a property that stretches from the absolute beachfront up past Martins Bay Road.
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The land is virtually bare, save what has become widely known as the Martins Bay homestead, which was built circa 1911 and extended circa 1932, and has remained in the same family for six generations.
On its own, the homestead is stunning.
Original polished hardwood floors along with tongue and groove ceilings remain, and with six bedrooms and a cricket pitch in the form of a hallway running the length of the home, it’s comfortable enough for even the largest families.
Nestled between the Martins Bay Holiday Park and some baches, the property stretches from the beach up past Martins Bay Road. Photo / Supplied
While modern-day Martins Bay is the epitome of summer holidays, it was farming that characterised the property in the early 1900s.
A fourth-generation family member who was raised in the homestead fondly remembers her upbringing beside the sea.
“We lived a classic farm life,” she says. “We ran a few cows over winter, sold the cream, and kept the milk for our pigs.
“A lot of the summer was spent shelling peas, spinning carrots, and cutting up beans. In spring there was lambing and calving. And when we had time, we did a bit of fishing and water sports too.”
The land is virtually bare, save what has become widely known as the Martins Bay homestead, which was built circa 1911. Photo / Supplied
The land has remained in the same family for six generations when Martins Bay was known as a farming area. Photo / Supplied
While little has changed on the property over the last century, a lot has changed at Martins Bay.
“The beach is still the same, but the camping ground has changed over time from seasonal to being occupied all year round. Baches on the other side of our land have been developed in the last few years too.”
Bayleys agent Kellie Bissett, who is marketing the property, says she’s never seen anything like it before.
“287A Martins Bay Road captures the imagination and represents the spirit and essence of quintessential Kiwi holidays,” she says.
“We don’t know of a similar opportunity ever coming to market in Auckland before. This property is really very special.”
The marketing agent, Kellie Bissett of Bayleys, says of the property that she’s never seen anything like it before. Photo / Supplied
The land is essentially a blank slate, which Bissett says will appeal to someone who’s looking for a generational legacy purchase, to a syndicate wanting to go in on a unique property, right through to a developer.
“Someone might decide to show off the homestead, or do something completely different with the land,” she says.
“This is a literal slice of classic Kiwiana. It’s in such an iconic position on Martins Bay and offers a huge number of options for the next owner.”
For the current owners, it’s a bittersweet end of an era – but one that will live on in their memories forever.
287A Martins Bay Road in Martins Bay, Mahurangi East, Rodney, is for sale via tender, closing May 31.
