The iconic cedar beach house perched overlooking Awana Bay has been sold. Known for its expansive views across one of New Zealand’s most pristine surf beaches, the house, last purchased in 2018 for $1.67 million, was marketed this time in the $5 million-plus bracket, a reflection the agent says of a robust real estate market.
The first viewing by Ray White agent Ross Hawkins and his clients was highlighted by the appearance of orcas in the bay, somethng that, while not the sole reason for the purchase, undoubtedly added to the property’s allure, Hawkins says.
The property stood out not only for its breathtaking location but also for its layout across three titles and four lots, offering a blend of privacy and development potential. With the rest of the beachfront protected as reserve land, the house enjoys an unobstructed view, a rarity in the area. “Other than a house on the beachfront, the whole beachfront is reserve land so there will never be other houses built there,” Hawkins told OneRoof.
The sale reflects Great Barrier Island’s increasing popularity, attributed to its remote beauty and the shift towards sustainable living Hawkins argued. “Great Barrier takes a bit more getting to than Waiheke Island,” he noted, “but that’s also the beauty of the more remote islands in the Hauraki Gulf.” He further commented on the market demand, stating, “There’s very few places that people can buy in Awana and I think that’s why there was a lot of inquiry, because very rarely do they come up.”
The house itself, with an industrial-type kitchen and a no compromise, high-spec off-grid setup was a big selling point Hawkins said. “In the old days, it used to be quite challenging but now you’ve got such great systems and you’re actually environmentally friendly when you’re doing that sort of stuff, too,” he said.
