Perched on the top of a hill in the heart of Tryphena, the house has wonderful sweeping sea and sunset views among ancient pohutukawa. A three minute walking track from the roadside carpark elevates you to a private and cosy home. Wooden joinery and floors featuring stained glass windows and doors and brass fittings make the home attractive and cozy.
The down stairs bedroom has a super king bed and is cool on hot summer nights. The upstairs bedroom has two single beds with room to play and lovely views from multiple windows. The bathroom was recently remodelled with vintage tiles and features panelling and vanity of pohutukawa milled locally. The fully equipped kitchen has views over harakeke and pohutukawa to the sea. A library of books including local history and children's books, as well as a DVD player and not-smart-TV and a big collection of DVDs will help you to wind down the old fashioned way. No wifi, but great reception for Spark and Skinny.
The large deck overlooks the sea, Coromandel to the west, the lit up Sky Tower in the distant Auckland on a crisp night, and the hills of Leigh on a clear day. The expansive dusk sky changes the view every evening, with the sun setting into the sea in the summer months.
The lawn has rope swings and a climbing net. Beyond the garden is a skate ramp and more play spaces, a large rope swing, tree hut and hammocks housed in one of the huge pohutukawa.
A down hill walk of five minutes from the bottom of the track takes you to beautiful Gooseberry Flat Beach to the north, Mulberry Grove beach to the south. Pah Beach Cafe, Stonewall Store and The Currach Irish Pub are a 10 minute walk north from the house. Mulberry Grove Store and Thai Restaurant a five minute walk to the south.
Special conditions:
The house uses alternative power, as does all of Great Barrier Island. Solar power provides electricity for lights and appliances in the house. The power is 240 volt in the house, so all normal appliances can be plugged in and used. It is not possible to run heating appliances like hair dryers or hair straighteners etc, as it is too much of a tax on the power that is stored in the solar batteries.
The washing machine is not for guest use and has been disconnected. This is due to the water use in the summer months being limited as the house is supplied by tanks. There is a public laundromat located at Sunset Lodge in Mulberry Grove, just at the bottom of the hill.
Limit of four people. The house is perfect for a couple or a small family.
There is a three minute walk through the bush uphill to the house. You can't drive to the door. Don't let the track put you off! The walk is worth it for the lovely views, peace and privacy in the heart of busy Tryphena ;)