A coastal farmhouse in the heart of a nature sanctuary
Some houses have that ‘home’ factor. You know the kind: traditional architecture, nostalgic interiors that look and feel like the house you grew up in (but more stylish), a backyard every kid dreams of having - replete with a whimsical forest and a treehouse. 144 Govan Wilson Drive is exactly that.
I remember first seeing the picture-perfect two-storey house with a wrap-around porch that looked like something straight out of a Hallmark movie. My heart had skipped a beat, and I’d gotten flashbacks of the happiest moments of my childhood, growing up on my family’s farm.
Set on 12 acres of untouched, covenanted native bush, the three-bedroom house is, in every sense of the phrase, a nature sanctuary. Trees surround it, and I first noticed the sound of birds and leaves rustling in the breeze and the feeling of calm surrounding the property. It’s not every day you could say that your neighbours consist of a handful of families down the road and a growing population of Kiwi birds
The previous owners had lived there for five years. They were a family of four: Mum, Dad, two kids, and their furry companions. They had fallen in love with the serenity and whimsy of the place and the dream of sitting on the deck with a cup of tea, enjoying the peace and quiet of the bush (which they did, in fact, do almost every day).
The house had become a refuge for them - figuratively and literally. During the 2023 cyclone that ripped through Auckland and the upper North Island, their property remained unscathed and sheltered from the storms, giving them a sense of security during unpredictable times.
In the years they lived there, they had carried out extensive renovation, including adding a kitchen island, installing oak flooring throughout the first floor, updating the bathroom and laundry, and totally reconfiguring the indoor-outdoor flow by building a large deck area complete with a bar and surrounding garden beds.
Their decision to move back to Perth meant it was time for them to (reluctantly) sell the house - a decision that took them months to make.
As a photographer, capturing the character, heart and soul of 144 Govan Wilson - a house that embodies warmth and cosiness and many happy memories was a joy. It’s not often that you come across a property that tugs at your heartstrings.
P.S. 144 Govan Wilson Drive is currently on the market! If you’d like to view the property in person or find out more, contact Meyer Real Estate or Junction Magazine.
