GirraGirra is a unique hospitality venue designed to offer guests a comfortable and relaxing countryside experience while immersing them in sustainable living practices, organic gardening, and cooking. The venue consists of two houses—a homestead for the owner and a visitor’s bed and breakfast—combined into one long, thoughtfully designed building.

The building, a culmination of 40 years of design learnings and experiments, is oriented north to overlook the floodplain of the Lachlan River, which has become increasingly prone to flooding due to climate change. To address this, the house is elevated about 1 meter above the floodplain and protected by a flood berm on its southern side, safeguarding the vital vegetable and fruit tree garden. Remarkably, the design has withstood the most significant flood in a century, proving its resilience.

Beyond the cultivated garden, the surrounding land is being restored to its original state, featuring native grasses and endemic trees. This approach to landscape repair is crucial in the ongoing efforts to restore and protect the country, making GirraGirra not just a place for relaxation, but also a living example of sustainable design and environmental stewardship.

Photography by Lloyd F Bear and KWM (owners)