Maraetai Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough

Architect's own classic bach

Designed for his family by renowned architect Jonty Rout of the award-winning Christchurch firm, Sheppard & Rout, this three-bedroom, one-bathroom bach is the ultimate holiday retreat and a true standout in Maraetai Bay. Crafted with elegant simplicity, this holiday house marries the ‘back to basics' nature of the classic kiwi bach with clever design and a timeless style.

The structure embraces its seaside setting with a striking form and elevated outlook. Board and batten cladding gives it a warm, natural presence that blends effortlessly with the surrounding native bush. Set on an extra-large, bush-clad section alive with native trees and birdlife, this private retreat enjoys expansive northeast views across Maraetai Bay and further into the Queen Charlotte Sound. Architecture is about more than aesthetics, and this home truly shines in the way its layout supports effortless holiday living and maximum exposure to the sun. The open-plan interior invites connection and conversations, flowing seamlessly to the outdoors through sweeping 180-degree views and a choice of decks: a front balcony and a partially covered rear deck with a barbeque area, and two additional deck areas downstairs off the master bedroom and hallway. 

Inside, the home is warm, inviting, and beautifully finished with natural materials, including macrocarpa sarked ceilings and beams and eucalyptus timber flooring. Fully furnished and completely off-grid with solar power, a gas Califont, and thoughtful sustainable systems, it offers effortless, low-impact living, encouraging true relaxation and genuine social interaction thanks to the absence of a TV and the owners' intentional choice not to connect the bach to the locally available internet.

Boating enthusiasts will appreciate the exceptional water assets, including a large private boatshed, fixed jetty, and slipway. Two tracks lead directly from the home to the boatshed, one a quad-bike track, the other a walking track with steps, while two additional bush tracks leading to the point and into the head of the bay provide access to neighbouring beaches. With excellent potential to expand, level, subdivide or enhance further, this property invites you to shape your ultimate Sounds retreat. Accessible by boat and just 20 minutes from Waikawa, it offers a rare blend of seclusion, craftsmanship, and waterfront beauty in one of the Sounds' most picturesque bays.

Our vendor, Christchurch-based and no longer able to regularly travel to the Sounds, has made the heartfelt decision to pass this much-loved family bach on to new owners who will appreciate and cherish it, just as she and her husband did when they built it for their family. This is a rare opportunity to secure a truly unique Marlborough Sounds property.