Sydney couple buy the 'Earth House' near Tumut as a weekender

It was East Coast versus West Coast at the auction of 2/21 Walls Creek Road East, Goobarragandra, NSW, on the weekend, as a couple from Sydney and a couple from Perth battled it out for ownership of the extraordinary property known as the ‘Earth House’.

In the end, a Sydney couple looking for a ‘weekender’ claimed ownership, purchasing the off-the-grid property near Tumut, NSW, for $2.15 million.

Featured on Foxtel’s Grand Designs, the house was built into the side of a hill at Goobarragandra by Canberra couple Trevor and Jeanette Robinson. The home’s sustainable features and breathtaking design – the roof is made of earth and grass – drew “phenomenal interest” in the marketing of the property according to sales agent Jane Macken.

“It was the most interest I’ve had in a property ever,” Jane says.

“It came from right across Australia. More than 60,000 people viewed the listing, which resulted in more than 200 enquiries.”

In the end though, it came down to a couple from Perth who had seen the home on Grand Designs and viewed it via FaceTime, and a couple from Sydney who’d driven to Goobarragandra to inspect it twice. Bidding started at $1.95 million, with the Sydney couple claiming ownership at $2.15 million.

LJ Hooker agent Andy Greenberger scored the Earth House listing after previously selling a Rivett property owned by Trevor and Jeanette Robinson. He pulled Jane Macken in on the listing for her NSW selling expertise.

“We’ve spent almost every weekend out at the house, showing people through,” Jane says.

“It was hard work, but the result is just outstanding.”

According to Jane, the Earth House was designed to be wheelchair-accessible and off-grid, with two water tanks, an off-grid 15 kVA inverter, solar panels and a 30.8 kWh premium lithium battery bank. Its location, carved into the side of a hill, offered views down to the river and beyond, and gave it “ultimate privacy”.

The Earth House was sold with all of its custom furnishings.

“This is the kind of home you will never see again,” Jane says.

“Every inclusion is top-notch. There are polished concrete floors all the way through and it flows really well.

“The kitchen boasts stone bench-tops, a Miele convection oven, a Teppanyaki hot plate, a two burner electric hob, an integrated dishwasher and custom joinery.”

The home’s built-in solid timber dining table was a highlight for those who inspected the property, along with the home’s floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows.

In addition to the main house, the property boasts a bedsit with kitchenette, accessible bathroom, double carport and a garage with a mezzanine level.