Outback and Beyond: 6 Remote Houses in the Australian Wilderness

A collection of rural Australian residences – from the bush to beach-side, small cabins to large retreats.

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With fewer than eight people per square mile, Australia is the third least-densely populated country after Namibia and Mongolia. By comparison, even the vast expanses to the west of the Mississippi has a population density of almost 27 people per square mile. While it’s tempting to attribute this sparsity to Australia’s desert interior, this continent-nation offers an immense diversity of landscapes — from beaches to plains to forests and highlands. Bearing that in mind, Architizer has assembled some of its best Australian retreats to discover how that country’s architects work with the varied environments it offers.

Tanderra House by Sean Godsell Architects

Located in one of Australia’s southern regions, Victoria, this house is situated on a hilltop that offers sweeping views of surroundings plains and the ocean in the distance. The structure is shielded from hot northerly winds in the summer by a nearby berm and a gracious exterior terrace — shaded by operable screens — serves as circulation and living space.

Trunk House by Paul Morgan Architects

Also located in Victoria, but in its central highlands, this weekend house uses distinctive exterior columns inspired by bleached kangaroo bones and the surrounding trees — organic forms that are thin at their midpoint but thicken at their joints. The interior opens up to forest and a single massive interior timber column supports beams that radiate outwards.

Bowen Mountain Bush Retreat by CplusC Architectural Workshop

This retreat accents its hardwood walls, ceilings, and decks, with gray steel beams and columns. The building’s planes are constantly changing, from its sloping roofs to terraced garden and living room conversation pit. Its landscaping uses indigenous plants and — aside from its red cedar doors and trim — its hardwoods are recycled.

The Über Shed by Jost Architects

Not all rural retreats eschew a utilitarian program and more muscular interactions with the landscape. Part retreat and part horse farm, this residence is located on the Mornington Peninsula outside Melbourne. It’s simple “L” shape is composed of two volumes: a large tool shed and living space. They’re both clad in corrugated steel on one side and recycled timber, giving the impression of a rustic retreat from one perspective and an industrial outpost from the other. While floor-to-ceiling glazing and a large veranda open to the surrounding gum-tree forest, the shed its defined by a large “display wall” of equipment.

Cabin 2 by Maddison Architects

Situated within a grove of Moonah trees — a flowering plant native to Australia — this project was an addition to a 1960s cabin. The architects embraced the space-age irregular geometries and structure of the original building and the new construction showcases large glulam beams that smoothly intersect thanks to hidden steel plate joints.

Beached House by BKK Architects

For this beachside retreat, also in Victoria, the architects focused on the sequence of spaces experienced by residents. As you approach the entrance, the roof gently slopes upwards on your right and left, leaving you to be enveloped by the interior, even as the beach becomes visible through glass doors. Similarly, the bathroom windows frame the rectangular pool as it extends to the horizon. However, much like the first project, the design is carefully situated to resist winds and the sun throughout the day.

Bonus: Pumphouse Point by Cumulus Studio

Unused for some two decades prior to its recent refurbishment, this former hydroelectric station in Tasmania’s Lake St. Clair now houses 18 guest suites.

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