Picture the first coffee of the day at the kitchen window, looking across the valley to the Mason Hills while the sun comes up over the ranges. On some mornings the cloud settles in the valley and you look down on it from the house. Mt Lyford rises behind it, the bush wraps around it, and the only sound is the bellbirds the house is named after. Bellbird Brae sits on its own platform at the top of a 4,000 m² bush section in Mt Lyford Village, and the bush around it means complete privacy, with no neighbours looking in.

It’s a three-bedroom timber house of 93 m² over two levels. It was completed in 2024 and has its Code Compliance Certificate. It’s insulated well beyond what the consent required. The ceiling insulation was upgraded during the build, the outside walls are heavily insulated, there’s wool insulation in the internal walls and the windows are double glazed. All of that keeps it warm and dry through the winter, even when the snow comes. It’s engineered for the mountain’s wind and snow, with snow straps on the roof, and the building platform was built to a full geotechnical report. An independent building report rates its condition above average, structurally sound and fit for purpose, and every moisture test came back dry.

New Zealand pine lines every wall and ceiling, oiled and waxed, with hidden fixings and not a painted wall in the house. All the doors are solid core. The kitchen and living area share one long room, with a full-height slider to the view and a Woodsman wood burner in the corner beside it. Two Daikin heat pumps back it up. The window over the sink frames the hills, and there’s a Bosch gas cooker, Fisher & Paykel appliances, a Tristone bench and a breakfast bar. The joinery is by The Joiner Shop in Kaikōura. Upstairs, three bedrooms sit under raked timber ceilings that rise to about three metres. Downstairs there’s a bathroom with laundry, a separate toilet and walk-in storage under the stairs for the skis and boots.

Running costs are low. Water isn’t metered, and water and road maintenance are covered by the $570 annual village levy. Council rates are $2,148 for 2026/27. There’s a generator inlet for stormy nights, gas hot water from two owned gas bottles (not rented), and 4G internet coverage. The wastewater system’s ECan permit runs to 2038 and is rated as compliant. The ski field is 9 km up the road, Hanmer Springs is 73 km away, Kaikōura 63 km and Christchurch 145 km.

The fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer, TV, blinds, a bed and bedding, and the safety gear all stay, so it’s ready to use from day one. It’s never been rented out and has only ever had owner use. Mt Lyford has an established holiday home market, with homes listed on Close To Home, Airbnb and Bookabach.

I’m selling privately and I’m happy to answer any questions. All the reports and documents are available, my lawyer has a ready-to-sign agreement, and settlement is flexible. The asking price is $789,000. Send me a message and I’ll arrange a time to show you through.

Parking/Garaging Info

Two driveways with plenty of parking for a campervan or trailer.

Special Features

Native bush.

Locality / Area

Mountain views .
Mt Lyford Ski Area about 9 km .
Mt Lyford Lodge in the village .
Walking tracks around the village .
Hanmer Springs about 73 km .
Kaikōura about 63 km .
Christchurch about 145 km .
Shops, fuel and school in Waiau and Culverden.