West coast beaches: An exclusive extract

The West Coast beaches are not for the faint-hearted - the drive to Piha alone needs to be undertaken with respect for the terrain, and a good gearbox. It's also not the place for faux lifestylers who think they can transplant their city house designs on the landscape. Migrants, including many English, add to the rich character of the settlements.

The 30-40 minute commute to Auckland city makes Muriwai and Piha popular with business people.

It's heartening to see rustic baches tucked into the bush alongside stylish new homes. As these areas become more popular, many bachs are getting the full makeover treatment.

These settlements are small. Piha has some 700 titles; Anawhata has about 30 houses. Karekare has its 4ha blocks but few properties with sea views. Up the coast, Muriwai has a colourful diversity of houses from bachs to mansions.

Amenities Piha has a thriving pre-school, but children bus to primary and secondary schools in suburbs closer to town. From Muriwai children bus to Waimauku. The Lone Kauri Community School at Karekare is part of Oratia Primary School. The general store is what these communities are all about. Supermarkets are at the nearest major suburb - for those at Muriwai Beach it's Kumeu, for Piha it's Henderson.

Rolling surf, stunning beaches, rocks to fish from, freshwater lakes, waterfalls, hills to hang-glide from and miles of bush walks - if the outdoors is your thing, this is heaven. Piha and Muriwai have surf clubs and there are golf courses on the way to Bethells (Waitakere Golf Club) and at Muriwai. Muriwai has an off-road motorcycle track and Woodhill Forest is close for off-road or mountain-biking. Piha and Muriwai have community libraries.

Both the Piha RSA and the Piha Surf Club put on meals throughout the year and there are deli foods and German-style pastries at the Piha Store and good takeaways at the Muriwai Lodge Store. WUZ's cafe at Muriwai Beach is well-known for its seaside breakfasts. During summer, a Ponsonby-class mobile cafe parks up at Bethells Beach.

Trends Since property in Piha hit the $1 million mark two years ago, prices appear to have stabilised. New homes are slowly replacing old bachs and with few properties left for subdivision this pushes demand up.

Muriwai isn't fetching Piha prices, yet. Views are everything - Muriwai buyers would rather buy a bach with views for $550,000 than a big four-bedroom home with none for $400,000. A recent $545,000 sale for a four-bedroom home is top dollar for a home without a view.

An old Anawhata bach sold for more than $1 million in 2004 but listings are rare. In Karekare one property sold recently for $350,000 - by an artist, to an artist with a backup offer from another artist in the wings.

Rental and investment Rental property is eagerly sought after. Rental lists become more plentiful after the Christmas break.

Best streets Oaia Rd and Ngatira Rd at Muriwai Beach; Marine Pde and Garden Rd at Piha; Tasman View Rd at Bethells.