Kilbirnie

6490m2 gently sloping secluded tree clad grounds. 180m2 four-bedroom villa melds original and additions 40 mature avocado trees for supplementary income Scope to enhance property or love it as it is Five minutes to Bethlehem, near Tauranga and Mount. A rare original in a shady orchard with instant appeal to lovers of genuine country character. The soothing serenity of arriving home to your sanctuary, drifting through the French doors with wine in hand to savour it on the veranda, while the evening settles around you. Or a popular party place when family and friends share your orchard surrounded villa where groups can gravitate to the covered barbeque and pizza oven, to the huge kitchen, either of two lounges, the sun room or that wide veranda wrapping the north side. Teens may escape to the sleepout or studio (where you may have established that long-awaited craft or art room and set up the bedroom and bathroom to accommodate overflow quests); younger kids happily playing on paths under the shady canopy of some 40 mature, income producing, avocado trees or in the tree hut up the ancient pohutukawa. Though substantially added to since the original owner built it by hand from Tauriko rough sawn timber in the early 1900s this character homestead retains its lofty stud, panelled ceilings, native timber floors, bay sash windows, but also offers exceptional family space with four large bedrooms inside plus the versatile sleepout. Reminiscent of the French farmhouse style of living where conventional perfection is not the goal; you'll find scope to add your vintage or contemporary touches and create an enviably laid back life so near Bethlehem, an easy 15 minutes to Tauranga and (depending on the traffic) 20 or 25 to downtown Mount Maunganui and the beach.