Taupo - Advantage point

The owners of a section at a prestigious lakeside subdivision are selling to help their son.

Lot 44, The Point, Acacia Bay Road, Taupo.

When they bought a section close to Lake Taupo five years ago, Jane and Murray Craig had plans to retire there one day.

That was until their son Leigh decided he wanted to give up banking and buy a farm in Taumarunui.

The Craigs, who are also King Country farmers, decided to help him on to the land but that outlay meant making ``the hard decision'' to sell their section.

And it's not just any old section the Craigs are giving up: their piece of land is at The Point, a gated subdivision that is one of the most exclusive communities in the country.

``You're very lucky to be able to get a section there,'' says Jane. ``But we've known about The Point right from the beginning because the family that developed it have been neighbours of ours down the road for years. So we've watched the progress right through.''

The Gower family began developing The Point in 1989 with a vision of blending manmade structures with the environment.

They have planted more than 10,000 trees as well as rhododendrons, camellias and hydrangeas to complement the woodland setting.

The 23ha subdivision not only features its own conservation area but has several kilometres of bush walks that are softly lit at night.

It also boasts two boat ramps and two all-weather floodlit tennis courts. Overlooking the courts is the pavilion, which residents use for social occasions.

It is built from timber and stone and has a stone fireplace indoors and a covered barbecue area outdoors.

Further down the hill is a croquet lawn and putting greens. Jane says an incredible amount of planning and hard work has gone into making sure every resident gets the most from the outstanding setting and scenery.

``The way the place is laid out, every section is private if you want it to be.''

A tar-sealed road comes on to the Craigs bush section, which has yet to have a building platform carved onto it.

``We had been talking to an architect but we hadn't got to the point where we had put pen to paper,'' says Jane.

``When you come down into the section it's like an amphitheatre, or a horseshoe shape, and that's where I would build.

You could also build further forward if you wanted a fuller view. The views down the lake to the mountains are just fabulous.''

Jane says the sheltered aspect of Lot 44 is one of its greatest assets.
``Some people say Taupo is cold in winter, but this section is very warm; it just seems to be protected.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 0

BATHROOMS: 0

GARAGES: 0

SIZE: Land .1485ha.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $900,000. Auction October 4.

INSPECT: Today 12.30-2.00pm, next Sat/Sun 12.30-2pm.

ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz # 348017

CONTACT: Cherry Cooper, Barfoot and Thompson, ph 298 8029 bus, 021 955 141 mob, 09 232 0000 a/h.

FEATURES: Elevated bush section with views across Lake Taupo to the mountains. Part of a secure community with access to two shared boat ramps, tennis courts and pavilion.