Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine
Experience the comfort and beauty of an expansive, peaceful hempcrete passive house surrounded by nature, yet only 5 minutes from the thriving creative town of Castlemaine. A family home for all ages, perfect for spending quality time with loved ones.
Situated on a 10 acre property with handcrafted hempcrete walls, gorgeous swimmable dam, abundant wildlife, garden, burgeoning orchard, outdoor fireplace areas, and 50 acres of adjoining forest.
Our home is a large, modern, beautiful, eco-friendly house made of hempcrete and other healthy, natural materials like timber, straw, stone and clay.
Our home has 10 rooms in total, a large commercial sized kitchen, spacious living & dining areas, 2.5 bathrooms with 2 toilets, filtered rainwater, sound-proof walls and black-out blinds.
You will have exclusive access to the whole house during your stay. The house facilities including an open plan living & dining area, and kids play area. The large commercial kitchen has two ovens, induction stove, fridge, freezer, kettle, toaster, rice cooker, stick blender and baking equipment.
Two bathrooms, two toilets and a separated vanity area with double sinks and washing machine means very few bathroom bottlenecks. The indoor bath fits two and has a lovely view. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash is provided.
There are sufficient beds and bedding for a total of 24 people. All rooms are furnished with beds, bed linen, towels and clothes storage. The main living room sofas can also be converted to a bed and stores extra quilts and pillows.
The whole house is wheelchair and pram accessible, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Children and pets are welcome. We have an indoor play area and outdoor swing-set and sandpit. Pets are welcome inside but will need to stay on the floor (not on furniture or beds).
The dam has clean fresh water and is available for swimming, kayaking or fishing. We also have an outdoor fire bath.
There are several fireplaces on the property for outdoor BBQs, one at the front porch outdoor dining area, and one up on the dam wall with a 'lakeside' view. You will need to provide your own firewood.
The house has been built to passive house standards to achieve maximum energy efficiency. It means the house is a comfortable temperature all year round: delightfully cosy in winter and cool in summer. We have a central A/C for heating and cooling, but you'll barely need it.
All natural materials and expansive views give the house a calm, soothing feel. You'll certainly feel like you're on holiday.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please turn off the A/C and lights. Close all the windows and blinds before leaving. Pull gently on the toggles, then release slowly to lower.
Please just leave all used beds clearly unmade (eg. doona cover open, or on the floor) so that it's clear which beds have been used and need their linen changed and which don't.
Bins are collected fortnightly, so please consider others using the property and leave space for them. If your waste fills more than 1/2 of one bin, it is excessive, and we ask that you take it home.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Muckleford
Muckleford is home to this holiday home. Old Castlemaine Gaol and Buda Historic Home & Garden are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit The Mill Castlemaine and Wesley Hill Market. Victorian Goldfields Railway -Muckleford Station and Muckleford Station are also worth visiting.
Muckleford I135 Bushland Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa - 28 min drive - 43.8 km
Lake Daylesford - 31 min drive - 49.8 km
Saint John of God Bendigo Hospital - 35 min drive - 51.7 km
Bendigo Art Gallery - 36 min drive - 52.1 km
Getting around
Castlemaine Station - 7 min drive
Bendigo, VIC (BXG) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Five Flags Hotel - 7 min drive
Shedshaker Taproom - 7 min drive
Love Shack Brewing - 6 min drive
Bridge Hotel Castlemaine - 7 min drive
Taste of the Orient - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine?
As of 27 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine on 19 May 2026 start from AU$690, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 10 total).
How much is parking at Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Hempcrete Homestead - Large Group Family-friendly Nature Escape in Castlemaine located?
Situated in Muckleford, this holiday home is steps from Muckleford I135 Bushland Reserve and within 3 mi (5 km) of The Mill Castlemaine and Diamond Gully H8A Bushland Reserve. Old Castlemaine Gaol and Victorian Goldfields Railway -Muckleford Station are also within 6 miles (10 km).
About the host
Your host
I am a kids and mum, who loves gardening, dancing and camping. Ive travelled to over 17 countries. I love welcoming visitors into my home.
Why they chose this property
Our property is in an amazing location. Its nestled amongst the forest so you feel like you're miles away from anywhere, and its easy to jump on a bike or head out for a day in nature. But, we are also only 5 minutes from Castlemaine. Its a great town with lots going on: live music, farmers markets, arts festivals, locally brewed beer and cider, theatre and art.
What makes this property unique
Our property is very unique. We have had our home featured in Sanctuary magazine and National Geographic due to its incredible sustainability and unique roof design. We handcrafted the hempcrete walls ourselves - if youre interested in sustainable building, it's a great home to visit.
The soundproof walls are also incredible to experience. You can close your bedroom door and its so peaceful and quiet, you feel like you're home alone, even if there is a raucous dinner party in the kitchen. It's great for getting a good night's sleep!
Because our house is a passive house, its delightfully warm in winter. Its the cosiest house I've ever lived in