“Your creativity is truly amazing. All mod cons with old world and eco sensitive charm.” Carol and John Shorrock - Minneapolis USA “Enjoyed most the integration of old with new and natural with man made, the positioning of the building to take most advantage of aspect and sunlight, the creativity and lateral thinking around a unified theme (the place has integrity).” Helena Wong

Character filled recycled materials have been used, where feasible, in the renovations and construction of our dwellings
(approximately 80%!!).

We have resurrected all manner of things from structural materials (about 8,500 metres of timber), old fence palings, all the doors and windows to rusty old cast iron tubs and ancient cream urns.

The passive solar design of The Straw Bale House ensures minimal use of our precious resources due to the huge insulation value (approximately R43) of the straw bale walls, and design features that maximize collection of heat in the winter and minimise heat ingress in the summer. The aspect of the buildings allow the sun’s warming rays to enter the house in winter, heating the thermal mass of the tile floors and mud brick walls. This heat is, in turn, released back into the room at night and so a more constant ambient temperature is maintained. The mud brick walls also collect the heat generated by the fireplaces.

The central cooling tower has the function of both beauty (it IS beautiful!) and creating an airflow channel within the house. The hot summer air rises up the tower and out the open vents while drawing air in from the cooler southern side of the house.

Our garden has been restored to life from a weed infested paddock to the hive of activity that it is now. A beautiful blend of native plants and a few fruit trees and flowers has seen a healing influx of native birds, reptiles and animals.

From the beginning the property was planned to be self perpetuating. All storm water from the roofs is channelled into gravel pits and returns to the water table instead of running off into gutters. Features of the natives planted are the ability to stabilize the soil, drought tolerance, food sources and growth cycles that ensure continuity of life. By providing shelter for insects, birds and animals we are kick starting the natural rythm of life again.

To continue on this line of thinking we stock only recycled toilet paper, organic aloe vera soap, and environmentally friendly “detergents” in our properties. In cleaning our properties we use colloidal cleaning products – the most friendly cleaning products available. We encourage our guests to recycle where possible, and to use our compost bags for their fruit and vegetable scraps so we can feed our earth!

We have created an environment that is healthier for our world. As importantly we believe we have created an environment that is healing for our souls.