These showstopping lifestyle blocks from around New Zealand will make you want to pack your bags and head to the country immediately
7 lifestyle blocks around New Zealand to live quarter acre dream in
Swapping city life for a rural retreat is a common Kiwi aspiration – it’s hard to resist the allure of the peace and quiet of the countryside. Before you get started chasing your quarter acre dream, check out our practical tips for living on a lifestyle block to make sure your move is a happy one you’ve prepared for. Then scroll down to peruse through 7 show-stopping sections from around New Zealand below.
2. Heritage villa
This heritage villa is an hour commute to Palmerston North and Hastings and 30 minutes from Dannevirke, has character in spades and all the facilities you could wish for in a country estate. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom homestead, built in 1896, has been restored sympathetically and has all the added extras you’d expect in a premium property.
The open-plan chef’s kitchen and the family room both open onto a verandah from where you can enjoy views of the 3.25 ha landscaped grounds and surrounding countryside. There’s a double garage, workshop, hen house and a large barn that could easily be converted into stables. And at the end of the day, you can relax with a glass of wine by the swimming pool. This gracious home has lots of potential to provide the perfect facilities for the lifestyle block dream.
1. Entry level opportunity
This is an opportunity to leapfrog into Karaka, with its exclusive estates, without an eye-watering price tag. This modest 3-bedroom home on 0.83 ha of landscaped grounds, with space for a paddock for the pony, is positioned at the end of a no-exit road and surrounded by neighbouring farms. You could do wonders with a bit of a paint and paper inside and the study is an added extra.
A paved barbecue area makes the most of the view over the delightful garden with mature trees, manicured lawns and the rural outlook. A stonking 22x10m shed with roller doors and a concrete floor is a real bonus for a wide range of activities. Add in the two-car garage, generous parking and the location close to motorway ramps at Papakura and a leisurely drive 20 km drive to Pukekohe and this entry level lifestyle block ticks all the boxes.
3. Grand Lady
Wow, this home has truly put the style into lifestyle, situated as it is among other spectacular properties on 2.04 ha. No expense has been spared creating this elegant 667m2 four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with its grand entrance hall and sweeping central staircase.
It will be a delight for entertaining with its spacious designer kitchen and butlers’ pantry, flowing living areas connected to a paved verandah, solar-heated swimming pool and tennis court. Manicured lawns give way to two paddocks and you can enjoy the bounty of the walnut grove and apple orchard.
A selection of outbuildings offer plenty of options and the irrigation consent is an increasingly rare feature in Canterbury. Explore the surrounding wineries in the weekend and enjoy the good life, only a short commute to the CBD. Ten-car garaging completes the picture for this stylish property.
4. Horse lovers’ dream
Enjoy a fine standard of living with the added bonus of top-quality equestrian facilities on this 2.42 ha property in Haumoana, which is handy to Havelock North, Hastings and Napier. The four-bedroom home has had a recent makeover but still has all the charm of features like polished native timber floors, board and batten ceilings and original fire surrounds. The new luxury bathroom and pristine chef’s kitchen take care of all the practical demands of life.
Nothing has been scrimped in the horses’ accommodation either, with the two-stable block and tack room, two outdoor yards and 25m arena with Cushionride surface. Three paddocks are safely fenced and have electric outriggers for extra peace of mind. Close to great dining options, golf, fishing and surf, but you will probably just want to stay home enjoying the views over the neighbouring vineyards.
5. Views for miles
This pretty three double bedroom, two-storey country cottage in Dunedin enjoys spectacular views out over Blueskin Bay, Warrington Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The rustic open plan kitchen/living and dining room are ideal for family life with French doors opening to the sheltered barbecue area and hot tub.
With 16.2 ha of undulating pasture, a shearing shed and stockyards, you have plenty of options on this block. There’s even a stand of millable macrocarpa. Live the dream in a sensational location.
6. Calling all commuters
This gorgeous renovated villa in Coatesville is the ultimate in offering a country lifestyle within an easy commute of Auckland CBD or Albany. The four bedrooms and 2 bathrooms are spacious and inviting and the country kitchen opens to the dining and living areas for easy entertaining. Sited among pretty gardens, the home has lovely vistas over the surrounding countryside and you’ll enjoy pottering around the 1.4ha site with its fruit trees and raised vege garden. Close to Riverhead Forest and its range of sporting activities and the vibrant Coatesville community, this property offers the best of both worlds.
7. Tall Poppy
At 67ha this home in Glenorchy isn’t really a lifestyle block but we had to include it because it is such a rarity. Bordered by national park, with a lakeside frontage, it offers snow-capped mountain views of the Humboldt Range straight out of Lord of the Rings.
Arcadia Station has a historic 11-bedroom homestead built in 1906 and offers an idyllic lifestyle far from the crowds. There is an option to buy separate blocks of 20ha and 47ha. Zoning is Rural Visitor, so the opportunities are there for the those with vision.
Words by: Sarah Beresford.
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