You’ll want to pack your bags and head to the countryside as soon as you see these stunning homes from across the South Island
With spectacular scenery and spoilt for space, the South Island offers some wonderful options for city dwellers looking for a slice of rural life. From heritage homes, to new builds with all the latest features, there’s something to suit all tastes. Here’s our selection of lifestyle properties for sale.
1. Step back in time
This historic homestead in Wakefield has gone through several incarnations over the years but its charm has remained unchanged. All rooms open to the wide verandahs that surround the house from where you can enjoy the leafy mature garden.
The rooms are generous with a high stud and the spacious open plan kitchen area is the perfect hub of the house. There are several living areas giving lots of flexibility and separate homestay accommodation offers an income stream.
2. Vinter’s luck
Enjoy living in a vineyard without having to do any of the hard work — this lovely Riverlands home is set among the vines of Riverside Estate, from which its owners receive an annual dividend.
With multiple living spaces upstairs and down, and a self-contained bedroom for guests, this lovely home is perfect for both everyday living and entertaining.
A separate two-room studio, double garaging with internal access, wine cellar, raised veggie garden and orchard are the finishing touches on this property only a short drive from Blenheim.
3. Scene stealer
You might feel you’ve been transported to a chalet when you first view this unique home in Ngatimoti that enjoys commanding views over the Motueka Valley. There’s plenty of room to pursue a sustainable lifestyle here and you even have your very own grape vines to tend.
The open-plan living area offers lots of flexibility with deep windows that capture the outlook and French doors that open to a paved patio area.
The bedrooms all flow to the verandah that encircles the second storey of the property — what a pleasure to wake up to such stunning scenery every morning!
4. ‘Mahunga’ magic
You are spoilt for space in this gracious 1900s two-storey Kaikoura home with its spacious bedrooms, separate formal and informal living and dining areas, conservatory and state-of-the-art kitchen.
Wood panelling, wide hallways, open fireplaces, high studs and a grand staircase are just a few of the features that make this house so special.
Living opens to wide decking and lawns lead to the solar-heated in-ground pool. A separate cottage is perfect for guests.
5. All the boxes ticked
Snuggled into its rural site this Tai Tapu home offers a blueprint for relaxed modern living. A library, study and media room complement the open-plan informal living and separate living room and the kitchen has all the latest appliances and the convenience of a scullery.
Outside entertaining is taken care of with a covered patio with outdoor fireplace, decks, petanque area and spa pool.
You can enjoy gathering eggs from the hen house and harvesting produce from the raised vegetable garden. All the boxes have been ticked.
6. Rural idyll
This Okuku property will be perfect for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a rural lifestyle. Seven fenced paddocks are just waiting for the ponies to move in, and a stable, yards, three-bay shed and all weather arena will make equine pursuits a pleasure.
There’s a chicken coop with fenced run and vegie garden complete with a greenhouse.
The house is reached down a long driveway and nestled into a grove of beautiful mature trees. Peace and privacy guaranteed.
7. The good life
This lovely home in Omihi is light and airy but also has plenty of heritage features that give it a distinct personality. The inviting open plan kitchen and living area is supplemented by two further living spaces so there’s plenty of room for everyone to do their own thing.
Verandahs capture the serene rural outlook and are accessed through French doors from the living areas. There’s a double garage and three-bay barn and the five paddocks all have stock water.
With a vegie garden and citrus trees there’s all you need here to enjoy the good life.
8. Smooth operator
Sleek and sophisticated this spacious home in Queenstown-lakes District has a central kitchen and living area with floor to ceiling double-glazed windows that open to the views across manicured grounds to spectacular Coronet Peak. This opens to a sheltered patio and is kept cosy in winter by a log burner.
The bedrooms are all light and sunny and also make the most of the dramatic backdrop. An ensuite loft bedroom above the garage is ideal for visitors.
You can enjoy the bounty of the harvest from fruit trees and raised vegetable beds and enjoy the relaxed life in this hideaway that’s still so close to the action.
9. One of a kind
This 670m2 mansion in Queenstown-Lakes District is all about living on a grand scale, with its imposing façade, grand entry, massive fire places, luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms and impressive living spaces.
It is still an inviting home, with beautifully landscaped grounds that will make you feel as if you’re enjoying la dolce vita in Italy.
A classical-style pool area is just one of the top-of-the-line features of this exacting home.
10. All the extras
A symphony of schist and cedar, this modern Lake Hawea home blends perfectly with the dramatic landscape and offers all the bells and whistles.
The double-sided schist fireplace in the open-plan kitchen/living area is a focal point, with a sheltered outdoor patio offering the perfect spot to drink in the amazing setting.
With plenty of heating options and double glazing it’s a spectacular home or getaway summer or winter.
11. A touch of romance
Pretty as a picture and surrounded by romantic gardens this gracious girl in Winton has loads of charm. Lovely native timber detailing, plaster ceilings, grand staircase and gorgeous feature windows that frame the leafy setting help this home stand out from the crowd.
A tennis court is an extra bonus.
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Words by: Sarah Beresford.
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