Bigred Posted January 9, 2014 I have now got the land and the go ahead to start my permaculture oasis . What im offering is I am planning to build a few sustainable houses on my property and thought if anyone was keen to help build a Earthship In return you can come up and stay for as a weekend retreat when ever you want it has magic mountain views great swiming hole . Plus if down the line anyone is interested in helping me start my permaculture I would be greatly appreciated . We have a small coffee orchid and cattle here atm and really want to get into that organic local coffe that supplies the local cafe would be great 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtarman Posted January 9, 2014 Nice one mate. Congrats 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 9, 2014 Also would love to build a hobbit house out of lord of the rings. It is amazing how cheap you can build these cabins . Has anyone done mud bricks before as i would love some pointers . I love the idea of the Earthship but to get to the point of sustainability is going to take a lot of hard work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-RC- Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) That sounds awesome! Check out straw bale houses as an option too for do it yourself type stuff ;) http://glassford.com.au/main/ for workshops and stuff. Congratulations Edited January 9, 2014 by Responsible Choice 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Big Red....it would take many volumes of Lord Of The Rings, To build a house. It would probably be well insulated if you could seal it up though. Edited January 10, 2014 by shonman 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 10, 2014 Big Red, Can I show up and sleep on the couch in your living room for five or six months? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2XB Posted January 10, 2014 Red I think mud bricks are a lot of hard yakka and very time consuming. I worked with a carpenter who made his house out of mud bricks with his wife. How ever it is free and a great meadium... depends on your time frame and motivation I think ;) You'd need the right sorta soil on your property too.. I like your idea, can you give me a hint of the location?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 10, 2014 on the great dividing range http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r723/Cameron_Gibbs/338_zps8209ccb5.jpg http://i1364.photobucket.com/albums/r723/Cameron_Gibbs/327_zps6b2f7623.jpg http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/Cameron_Gibbs/media/328_zpsd9fc8ce2.jpg.html 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 10, 2014 I have plenty of rocks and they would make a ideal stone hut . Im going to retire so I can go into the eco tourism and permaculture industry hope to set up a writers retreat and a eco bed and breakfast. Spend my days drinking fluoride free water 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) We also have a coffee orchid that needs some work ,so that has me busy at the moment . But We have the best views in town so maybe a Cafe that is open on the weekends . That makes and sells the its own organic coffee Plus its very windy up here so we are totally off grid Edited January 10, 2014 by Bigred 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 10, 2014 Hows the serenity 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cubism Posted January 10, 2014 Amazing looking location Big Red, and such a great endeavour your undertaking. If I ever make it east I'd love to lend a hand. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 10, 2014 Big Red, Can I show up and sleep on the couch in your living room for five or six months? Yeah I have a caravan we could set you up in but you have to work for your keep . I was thinking that i could get some backpackers to come help on the farm. Or even start advertising in the woofers book. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) No prob! Edited January 11, 2014 by shonman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teamwhy Posted January 11, 2014 this is a earth ship crew from northern nsw. http://terraeden.org/index.php 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qwertyuiop Posted January 12, 2014 Shit, that's awesome. Maybe consider paper-crete as a building medium too? http://www.instructables.com/id/I-Love-Papercrete/ Whats the council regulation difficulty on getting these buildings approved if you've come to that stage yet?This is exactly what I've been dreaming of doing - If it weren't so far away from Vic, I'd be up there now...Perhaps a shipping container building or underground bunker would be suitable if bush fires are a threat there? I've got a welder with hopes of eventually customising my own contaier into a DIY house.Gourmet mushrooms would be a sweet thing to get going round there for a side income too.If you don't mind me asking - Whats the acreage size and est. pricetag for it? (With dams or any pre built structures / mains?)Awesome plans though, wish yu the best for it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 12, 2014 We have just started the idea a month ago and now we are starting a hobit house . Just spent the afternoon picking up rocks and making a stone wall , will post pics soon. Luwa this is a family friends property and they have a few blocks but price tag up here 200k + as it is ideal grazing country and a block like this is imposible to find. If your ever in the area there is always a bed here . Maybe come up and see what we are going to do and get a idea of what you want . Luwa i love underground bunkers its a subject i put way to much into and im high above sea level so its a ideal doomsday retreat. I plan to build one that has a under ground wind turret that i can raise . I can get really cheap containers up here real cheap it costs more to truck them out . With properties like this conecting to the mains is pointless as you can get a off grid system here much cheaper why pay money just to pay even more money. Its so windy up here we don't even really need solar . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 12, 2014 I have often thought of making a Hobbit House, Far from the limited minds of building code officials..... http://homes.yahoo.com/photos/7-hobbit-homes-you-can-see-without-going-to-middle-earth-1384992417-slideshow/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 12, 2014 Can an Alien like myself buy land there, if I could come up with the gold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted January 12, 2014 in all seriousness! can i come live with ya bigred..... this sounds awesome i legit cannot wait to come down and see it one day 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 13, 2014 In the future you can but at the moment it will only be weekenders . As im in the process of sorting all my shit out and getting this project up and running .So a lot of the time im in the city doing business but once we get started I will let you know. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 13, 2014 Can an Alien like myself buy land there, if I could come up with the gold? \ Dude if your one hundred percent got the cash I can recommend a block . But its not a picnic its fucking really hard work . If you were to come out you have to earn your stripes ( hard yakka) and make sure this type of life change will suit you . Or its just going to be a project that gets started and never gets finished. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 15, 2014 Will be having a working bee in the next month . All are welcome to come up and stay for the weekend and lend a hand. In return we are going to have a BBQ and I will put on a keg , Was also hoping if any sabers who come along could donate a plant or two for the main edible garden . What to bring Tent, sleeping bag (if you dont have a tent we can work something out ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shonman Posted January 17, 2014 I wish I could fly over there and attend. Just remember my little saying, it is true... "You can't own anything, without it owning part of you" And so I am stuck here for now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigred Posted January 18, 2014 Or the things you own end up owning you ( classic fight club line). The idea is spreading I have a doctor who wants to buy land and do the same . I have a lot of ideas but getting them of the ground is one thing . Will be roasting some beans soon so will do a give away of my special blend. The key I believe to having a viable permaculture is having a niche market . So Im hoping that I can do something with the coffee. Maybe go to the farmers markets on the weekends and set up a coffee stall. Just to help with funding future projects. But the idea of retiring in 5 years is looking better every day. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites