Featured Property

8 lifestyle blocks for sale that you’ll want to escape to immediately

Article by Property Press

Live a life of rural tranquility and an escape from city pressures in one of these lifestyle blocks for sale in the North Island

The dream of a peaceful life enjoying all the countryside has to offer will only come true if you commit to making it happen. Blocks can vary from under 1 hectare to more sizable holdings that offer a wide variety of lifestyle opportunities.

Some have been well developed for purpose, while others have the potential to be moulded to your needs. The one criteria that is similar for all options is that properties offer a sense of rural tranquillity and an escape from city pressures. Here’s our pick of lifestyle properties in the North Island that offer a special living experience.


1. Harbour views

This lifestyle retreat in Kaeo makes the most of the fabulous views over the surrounding countryside to beautiful Whangaroa Harbour. The relatively new build has all the features needed for comfortable living, and some added extras such as solar panel water heating and double glazing.

The open plan living flows to a verandah and level grassed area. There’s space for all your projects with a 14.5m x 7.5m steel shed, with attached lean-to, and little separate studio.

Bounded by a block of bush, there’s no noise to disturb the birdsong.


 

2. Bush walks and glow worms

This charming Helensville home has personality aplenty and some distinctive features that make it very special — you can enjoy a bush walk to the river, bird watch in the wetland, or visit your glow worms.

Added to all that is very generous living with quality finishes complemented by a fully self-contained studio. Then there’s the 6m x 9m garage and workshop for all your projects.

Enjoy the harvest from the established veggie garden and lounging in the pretty alfresco areas while you dream up your next project.


  

3. Surfing stunner

This spectacular site in Raglan deserved a showstopping home and architect Tane Cox has delivered with this cutting edge rumbled brick and cedar home. When you’re not marvelling at the breathtaking views of the surf rolling in from the Tasman Sea to the sands of Ngarunui Beach you can entertain in the expansive open plan living and kitchen.

The views are captured through large double sliders that blur the boundaries between inside and out. Generous bedrooms and luxury bathrooms complete the picture.

There’s even a stream and established orchard with avocados, limes, peaches and nectarines.


  

4. Hobby farmer special

The kids will love the freedom to roam that this lush, rolling block of land in Whakamarama offers and it’s all set up for hobby farmers with a four-bay implement shed and old shearing shed.

The four-bedroom house is sited to make the most of the expansive views out over the upper harbour, with the living area opening to a generous deck.

A tidy kitchen and gorgeous bathroom make for easy living, as do the four well-proportioned bedrooms. Plant an orchard, develop a veggie plot, or just relax watching the kids ride their pony. This is a great lifestyle offering with potential to develop further.


  

5. The real deal

Drive down the treelined driveway to this stately Gisborne home that offers the real deal in refined country living. Built in the 1920s, Te Nikau has all the impressive features you’d expect from the era — grand staircase, warm polished floors, feature fireplaces, exceptional leadlight bay windows … the list goes on.

There’s even a turret to survey your surroundings from. Upstairs the generous bedrooms open to the covered verandahs that are a distinctive feature of the façade. Relax poolside or enjoy a long lunch on the paved patio.

The grounds have been extensively landscaped with sweeping lawns, a pond, potager and orchard. There’s also a large barn and potential for developing some of the outbuildings.


6. Pure panorama

This distinctive Hawera home has been designed around the jaw-dropping views over farmland to the dramatic cone of Mt Taranaki. Full of arcs and angles the main living space opens to the panorama and flows out to an alfresco seating area.

There’s room for everyone here with the addition of a home office and a master with a balcony for drinking in the scenery over a morning coffee. There’s a large garage with a laundry and plenty of storage and the property is fully fenced and landscaped.

Added to all this is 4.2ha of covented native bush that provides peace, privacy and birdsong.


  
7. Unpack your new life

Calling all lifestyle farmers…this is a great little working block in Taumaranui that has all the important considerations taken care of. Well fenced with a yard, load out race, wool and implement sheds, it’s all ready for stock to be moved on.

The house is sited to take advantage of the superb views over the surrounding countryside. There’s a wide deck that doubles the living space and all the rooms enjoy peaceful rural outlooks.

There’s nothing to do but unpack and enjoy your new life.


8. Horsey haven

This Featherston cottage has so much character — picture yourself relaxing on the pretty front verandah after coming back from riding your horse. The 2.69 ha of land has been developed with equine pursuits in mind, and offers stables, an arena and four paddocks.

Inside the smart kitchen is warmed by a wood burner and there’s another lovely living room which has feature windows framing the leafy outlook.

There’s the bonus of a separate studio which offers lots of flexible options. Hop on the train to Wellington for work and return to your little patch of paradise.


Words by: Sarah Beresford.

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