270 Wainui Main Road, French Farm, Banks Peninsula

The Old School Masters House

The home combines original features and a contemporary extension with open plan living and flow between kitchen, dining and living spaces. There are multi-use paved and deck areas on three sides. All of the northern and western back windows concertina to connect home to surrounds. The main house has two bedrooms - both with en-suite - and there is an upstairs library, or third bedroom. The kitchen includes quality fittings, a large double width Smeg oven and gas cooktop opposite a butler's sink.

Every room takes in a different aspect of the constantly changing natural vista. With stunning dress circle views over Akaroa Harbour across to Onawe Peninsula and the Eastern Harbour rim, it is elevated above the sea yet it is just a short walk down the drive to the shoreline and the stream flowing into the bay.

The main house is complemented by a separate office with kitchenette. There is also a large double garage and workshop.

The 3/4 acre property encompasses a variety of attractive garden spaces which selectively frame the views to the harbour to the East and French Peak to the West.

For those who enjoy the self-sufficient lifestyle, there is the walled, raised bed, vegetable/fruit garden and glass house offering a micro climate for extended growing. There are 29 different types of fruit trees or berries.

The property boasts 60,000 litres of water storage, supplied by both rain and spring before being filtered and sterilised for delivery to the house. The entire garden is under irrigation. There is also a well built and spacious chicken house and run.

Located just 20 minutes from the cafes, galleries and restaurants of Akaroa, one hour from Christchurch central and the international airport, this property has the best of both worlds.