PHOTO: 🚤✨ THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS PRESENT — AND IT WON’T FIT UNDER THE TREE. TRADE ME/HARCOURTS
Owning a boatshed is the Kiwi dream — nostalgic, rustic, and dripping with coastal charm. And now one of the coolest boatsheds in the country is up for grabs:
📍 665 Portobello Road, Broad Bay, Dunedin.
Perched over the water with unbeatable harbour views, this little coastal retreat has just landed on the market — and the buzz is huge.
This isn’t just a quirky shed.
It’s a slice of Kiwi heritage, wrapped in character and irresistible summer vibes.
🌊 A BOATSHED WITH SOUL — 30+ YEARS OF FAMILY MEMORIES
Owned by the Stanley family of Balclutha for over three decades, the boatshed has been a treasured escape.
Deirdre and Eric Stanley bought it in 1996 from Eric’s sister, keeping the shed in the family and carrying on their Chatham Islands connection to the sea.
“We had a 20 ft boat. We used to do a lot of biscuiting with the kids,”
says Deirdre — recalling summers filled with laughter, water toys, and family gatherings.
The Stanleys even upgraded the shed:
✔ added plywood interior
✔ installed sewerage
✔ improved functionality
Why?
Because the next nearest toilet was “a long walk around the bay” — a classic boatshed problem solved.
Now older, and with their kids grown, they say it’s time for another family to make their own memories.
🛶 TWO ROOMS, A COVERED DECK & THE WATER RIGHT AT YOUR DOORSTEP
The boatshed layout is simple but loaded with potential:
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Two main rooms
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Toilet/shower room for rinsing off the salt
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Covered deck perfect for storing kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis
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Electric winch for hauling boats or toys
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Mains power & sewerage
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Boat ramp access
And yes — it’s big enough to host Christmas lunch right over the water.
🎨 RUSTIC, RAW, AND READY FOR THE NEXT OWNER’S TOUCH
Inside, the shed is original, humble, and full of charm.
A little rough around the edges — but that’s the point.
This boatshed is not a polished bach.
It’s a blank canvas, waiting for someone with imagination (and maybe a chilly bin full of beverages).
⚠️ COASTAL PERMIT: DO YOUR HOMEWORK
The property has a coastal permit, though the Otago Regional Council notes these often come with conditions.
As with any waterfront gem, buyers should:
✔ review the conditions
✔ understand compliance
✔ do proper due diligence
Unique coastal structures always come with unique responsibilities.
💬 HOW MUCH WILL IT SELL FOR? YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS THE AGENT’S
Harcourts listing agent Carissa Fraser says boatsheds are so rare that pricing one is almost impossible.
“They’re still pretty unique,” she says.
“We don’t know how much Portobello Rd will sell for — that’s why it’s going to auction.”
For context:
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A Weller’s Rock boatshed reportedly sold for around $320,000 earlier this year.
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A boatshed on Ngāpipi Rd in Orākei is listed for $1,690,000.
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Another Auckland boatshed hit a record $2,050,000 in 2023.
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A Whangārei boatshed with apartment had an RV of $280,000.
The market is wild — and this Dunedin beauty is anyone’s guess.
📍 OPEN HOME & AUCTION DETAILS
🗓 Open Home: Sunday, November 30
⏰ 11:15am – 11:45am
📍 665 Portobello Road, Broad Bay
🗓 Auction: December 3
⏰ 12:30pm
This is one of the coolest waterfront listings of 2025 — a rare find in a spectacular, peaceful location.
🏁 BOTTOM LINE: THE PERFECT SUMMER ESCAPE IS UP FOR GRABS
This Broad Bay boatshed is more than a quirky slice of real estate — it’s a lifestyle, a sanctuary, a summer dream, and a legacy waiting to continue.
For the right buyer, it may just be the ultimate Christmas present.
🎅 Unwrapping not required.
SOURCE: STUFF