Last year Jesse contributed to an Earthship build run by Earthship Australia. His enthusiasm had me inspired and curious so I was understandably excited to visit the site, on our trip up to the Far North Queensland from Bellingen. The owners (and crew) have put innumerable hours and creative love into this remarkable building! It is a sun bathed curvaceous beauty!
The two U shaped domes form the main living areas. The eastern side is having a mezzanine framed in, underneath the mezzanine will be a cool-storage area for produce, bulk goods and preserves dug a few foot deeper into the earth.
They have earth packed tyres as the wall structure and fill. The roof has skylights in each dome. Off the eastish and westish ends of the building are two smaller utility rooms framed with beautiful glass bottle walls. One already houses the bath and a vibrant vine, which tickles me as I thrive with plants inside, enlivening and oxygenating the living space.
Along the front wall (northish) a deep planter box awaits earth and plants which will create an edible greenhouse garden year round, within arms reach of the kitchen. The outdoor gardens are already flourishing with lots of care.
Not yet completed but an inspiration for earth based housing, recycling, self sufficieny and community coming together to build! I always imagined it would take phenomenal amounts of organization, time and hands on labour to create an earthship and seeing this great building affirmed all of that. I was overwhelmed with the requirements and also inspired.
Although, it has brought it into a reality frame for me to see it done by a family with a lot of friendly help. Jesse has participated in a couple of builds and we talk over the possibility of one day creating an Earthship ourselves. It’s a gift to see these things in the flesh and have these fantastic concepts imprinted. The idea of communal building with workshops, education for the future, sustainable living, being off the grid eventually, growing food, living simply with more time to be with family and live from our interests is pretty attractive! What a grand adventure!
Well, we will see.

Sorry but No, I cannot reveal the location for privacy concerns, but there is masses of information online about Earthships and I know the recent build in South Australia is more accessible. Check out IronBank Earthship.

Enjoy the tour folks
and many thanks to our hosts xx