Gardens on a hillside by the sea
The eastern bays — Point Howard, Lowry Bay, York Bay, Mahina Bay, Sunshine Bay, Days Bay and Eastbourne itself — are strung along Marine Drive between the harbour and the steep, regenerating bush of the East Harbour hills. Most sections climb. Lawns are small and often terraced, gardens are full of natives, and there's frequently a flight of steps between the road and the back yard. This is not open-paddock mowing; it's careful, hands-on work with the right-sized gear carried in.
The flat parts of Eastbourne village and Muritai have more conventional sections, but the same salt and wind.
Salt, wind and shade
Northerlies and southerlies both funnel down the harbour, carrying salt that burns exposed hedges and scorches lawn edges on the seaward side. Sections tucked into the hill are shaded and damp, so moss in the lawn and slippery paths are common through winter. We trim hedges so they stay dense and protective, keep gutters of debris away from the house where we can, and treat the lawn for what it is — a small green space that needs to be kept tidy rather than a bowling green.
Pohutukawa, ngaio, karo and the other coastal natives that thrive here drop a lot of leaf and flower onto lawns and paths; regular garden maintenance visits keep that under control between mows.
Access and parking
Marine Drive is narrow and parking is tight, particularly in Days Bay in summer. We plan our Eastbourne visits for times when we can park sensibly and get the gear up to the section, and we're used to steps, shared driveways and steep paths. If your property has a particular access arrangement — a key, a code, a neighbour's drive — tell us at the quote and we'll build it into the routine.
We also do hedge and light tree work — shaping coastal shelter, lifting canopies, clearing branches off roofs — and one-off cleanups for bays properties that are holiday homes or have been let go.
Getting a quote in the bays
For Eastbourne and the bays we'll almost always come and look before pricing — the slope, steps and access make more difference here than the size of the lawn. Quotes are free and there's no obligation.
