88/265 Martin Road, Larnook NSW 2480

This exquisite property, locally known as “The Billen Opera House”, is a masterpiece of architectural design with a focus on beauty and sustainability. Built with no expense spared, this passive solar home boasts a unique combination of pole construction with straw bales and sawdust walls, coupled with artistic architectural details such as distinctive window shapes and exposed timber poles, giving the home an organic and stylish character.

The expansive and visually captivating swimming pool area features elegantly curved walls and a refined color scheme with high-end finishes reminiscent of a glossy magazine feature. The property’s architectural styles blend influences from Swiss heritage and extensive travels to create a harmonious and aesthetically stunning residence set on a two-acre parcel.

The two-storey main house offers versatile living arrangements, including a self-contained studio suitable for guests or as a rental opportunity through permanent leasing or AirBnB. Its resort-like appeal also positions it well for small retreats or healing centers.

Inside, the home benefits from excellent insulation that naturally balances indoor temperature, reducing reliance on air-conditioning even during warm days. In winter, the large wood fire in the living room offers warmth and ambiance, further highlighting the home's passive solar credentials.

On the ground floor, a spacious entrance hall leads to the kitchen, living room, and a bathroom. Upstairs, three bedrooms feature a walk-in closet. Beautiful hardwood flooring extends throughout both levels, complemented by a Scandinavian-style overlay in the living room, timber-framed sliding glass doors offering valley views, and semi-exposed timber poles adding warmth to the white color palette.

The chef’s kitchen is generously sized with abundant storage, a large eat-in dining area placed discreetly apart from the living room, and access to an indoor/outdoor kitchen with glass doors opening to the deck. High-end features include sleek white cabinetry, gas cooking, stone benchtops, and premium appliances. The living room offers a cozy atmosphere with a wood fire, reverse-cycle air conditioning, exposed beams, a sandstone feature wall supporting the staircase, natural timber poles, and expansive views opening onto the impressive pool and entertaining area.

The main bathroom downstairs includes a bath, separate shower, and toilet. The recently added master bedroom suite is privately located on the south side of the house, with deck access overlooking distant hills and lush gardens. This large, light-filled bedroom includes a walk-in dressing room with smoked glass closets and a luxurious ensuite bathroom featuring a designer bathtub and garden views.

Upstairs offers three additional bedrooms—one currently used as an office—and a storage room. One bedroom opens to a balcony. All rooms have built-in wardrobes or shelving and feature uniquely shaped windows.

The home’s outdoor living spaces include expertly designed decks, verandahs, and patios crafted from oiled timber with stainless steel wire balustrades. These wrap around two sides of the house in varying widths, creating architectural interest and practicality. Additional features include an open entrance deck, upstairs balconies, and a guesthouse split-level patio. From these outdoor areas, residents can enjoy expansive views of verdant greenery and majestic surrounding landscapes. The verandah overlooking the resort-style pool is spacious enough for gatherings, complemented by vast paved pool surrounds.

Entertainment and guest facilities include a separate building next to the pool featuring a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, outdoor laundry, and an outdoor entertaining kitchen with a pizza oven. This building’s split-level design and multiple nooks provide versatile dining and sitting areas.

The garage and shed offer an extensive 14.9 by 7.2 meter space, including a two-car garage and workshop area designed for broad utility.

The two-acre property is partially forested, leaving ample room for garden areas and multiple established fruit trees. Its gentle slope offers attractive views of the Mackellar Ranges through the tree canopy.

The community, Billen Cliffs Village, is strata titled, making financing accessible through banks. The community spans almost 800 acres, with 115 two-acre lots established for over 40 years. It features well-maintained access and internal roads. Owners benefit from use of common land, including forests, cliffs, and creeks, as well as community amenities such as a hall, library, cafe, and general store. It is family-friendly, attracts a diverse range of ages, and prohibits cats and dogs to protect local wildlife. Residents often enjoy sightings of wallabies, echidnas, brush turkeys, pademelons, and plentiful birdlife.

Additional practical features include full off-grid capacity with a 13.5 kW solar system, 12-volt battery storage, solar hot water with gas backup, 88 kiloliters of rainwater tanks, and a septic system. The property is well-located with school bus access to public, private, and Steiner schools, and proximity to towns and transport hubs: 28 km to Nimbin, 23 km to Kyogle, 34 km to Lismore via sealed roads, 74 km to Ballina Airport, and 80 km to Byron Bay.