20 Wellington Road, Surfdale, Waiheke Island, Auckland

Perched high above a green and sheltered valley, this light-filled modern home feels more like a discovery than a listing. It doesn't shout for attention; instead, it reveals itself slowly, as if inviting you into a secret vantage point where the island looks and feels a little different. From its elevated position, the outlook sweeps across treetops and ridgelines, offering a daily panorama that manages to feel both expansive and deeply personal. Even on Waiheke, where beauty is never in short supply, it is rare to find a spot that delivers such serenity while remaining so connected to everyday life.

Completed in the years following 2010, the house was designed with a sense of simplicity and ease. Everything flows across a single level, anchored by three generous bedrooms that provide a balance of retreat and togetherness. The open-plan dining and lounge form the true heart of the home, with wide glass sliders that dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. Step onto the deck-stretching the full length of the house-and it is clear how central this space is to the rhythm of living here. Mornings begin with coffee in the first light, weekends often spill into long lunches with friends, and the hottest days of summer call for shaded afternoons when the valley below hums with cicadas.

The location is equally compelling. Surfdale, Ostend, and Oneroa are just minutes away, each with its own flavour of cafés, markets, and beaches, while ferries provide a seamless connection to the city. Families will appreciate the rare convenience of a ten-minute walk to both the local primary and high schools, an advantage that quietly enhances daily life.

Yet the story doesn't end there. With a generous parcel of land and modest site coverage, the property carries further potential. Subject to consents, there is room to create a separate visitor facility-transforming it not just into a home, but an investment in lifestyle and possibility.

For those who want the best of both worlds-a beautifully maintained lock-and-leave retreat with modern ease, and a canvas for future imagination-this home offers it all: a place to live simply, entertain generously, and dream just a little bigger.