WATERFALL, KIWI CALLS AND
SWISS DETAILING DEFINE
KUAOTUNU ALPINE CHALETS
by Kate Palmano
A
ndreas Oswald,
host and owner of
Kuaotunu Charters and Chalets, is as
passionate about his 35 acre ‘paradise’
on the Coromandel Peninsula as he is about
sharing this experience with others. He is
providing “warm and cosy spaces for others to
walk into and simply enjoy the beauty and the
nature.” His chalets are located just a few kms
west of Kuaotunu.
Driving up a private, winding gravel road that
traverses stands of regenerating manuka
interspersed with open pastureland peppered
by toi-toi and cabbage trees, Gavin and I meet
with Andreas. He invites us “for a short walk”
so that we can enjoy his property and view the
guest chalets.
We start our walk on an open, grassy knoll
which affords us expansive views of pasture
and bush-clad valley flanked by ridges of native
forest to the rear and to our north, a magnificent
vista to sea and islands. It is a brilliant autumn
day and the light imparts a lustre to the sea and
land that is magical and captivating.
A little further down the road, a short track
hewn through bush and lush nikau groves leads
to a peaceful little grotto where glow worms
can be seen at night and a “melody of water”
as Andreas puts it, is played by a three-step
waterfall. It is here in this enchanted spot that
he (looking for a lifestyle change) made the
decision to purchase the property 6 years ago.
From Heidelberg Germany, Andreas originally
spent time travelling throughout New Zealand
– “top to bottom!”, and although very much in
awe of the grandeur of the South Island, it was
always the special allure of the Coromandel
that drew him back. This is his new life and he
admits he “would not part with it”.
Andreas was attracted not only by the beautiful
vista and bush (which is protected by QEII
covenant), but also the proximity to the sea
and numerous sandy beaches. This enables
him to enjoy his other great passion – boating
and fishing. Through the charter side of his
enterprise he offers guests customised sea
adventures which incorporate activities such
as fishing, diving, snorkelling or just leisurely
sightseeing along the beautiful coastline; in his
words “whatever comes along.”
FINE CRAFTED CHALETS
A short distance back up the drive we come to
the fully self-contained two-bedroom chalets
which are nestled snugly in a native bush
setting. Each is extremely private, being well
separated and screened from the other.
The chalets, fashioned in Swiss log cabin style,
are a joy to behold, and although redolent of
alpine meadows, they are a natural fit with the
native environment.
Commissioned by the previous property owner
– and assembled by a Swiss master carpenter
using redwood and macrocarpa grown and
logged at Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua – all the timber
was crafted by hand; the tongue and groove
joinery evident in the thick exterior planking is
testament to the skill and dedication that went
into the construction.
Andreas has put his own mark on the chalets
by modifying the interiors and creating
delightful balcony and outdoor spaces, with the
help of ‘woofers’ from many parts of the world
(see sidebar).
Inside, the chalets offer a warm, rustic charm
with candles, cushions and polished wood
furniture providing a cosy, romantic ambience.
Andreas is very proud to point out that the
natural contours of the wood have been
preserved, “one side is straight cut, the other
natural”, so that each beam and plank can
reveal its own history.
Both chalets are suitable for “every age, every
season” says Andreas. The upper chalet,
named Cuvier for its wonderful view of Cuvier
Island, is ideally suited to families as it has its
own large grassy space interspersed randomly
with citrus trees and exotic blooms. Although
Andreas is a skilled landscaper, his ‘inner self’
wanted a change and new challenge, and he
now prefers outdoor spaces to be natural rather
than manicured.
Further down, the Bush Chalet also offers sea
views. There is a sunny terrace with loungers
and inside, a romantic, cosy open wood fire
is always laid ready for guests. At night, the
stillness, the stars, the screech of the kiwi (from
the nearby Kiwi sanctuary) and the calls of
Andreas Oswald, shown with a nice Kingfish caught
off Kuaotunu reef, offers the perfect ‘get-away’ – two
chalet rentals and sea charters on his brand new
charterboat for fishing, snorkeling and scenic tours.
