Zac Efron’s Sustainable Dream Home Near Byron Bay
Zac Efron is making a bold move by planning to build his forever home near Byron Bay in Australia. This decision mirrors the lifestyle choices of other celebrities, like Chris Hemsworth, who have also chosen to live in Australia during the pandemic. Since then, Efron has been frequently traveling between Los Angeles and Australia, working on projects such as Down To Earth With Zac Efron and Gold. Now, he’s taking things a step further by building a home from the ground up, with a unique feature that sets it apart.
Efron is once again showing his commitment to climate-friendly practices, and this new house could be his most significant investment yet. The Firestarter actor has partnered with environmental activist Joost Bakker to construct his home using primarily hemp plant and oyster shells. This innovative approach is not just a trend but a serious effort to create a sustainable living space.
A New Kind of Home
In 2020, the Iron Claw actor sold his Los Angeles home and purchased a property near Byron Bay. While he enjoyed a period of van life, Efron seems ready to settle down permanently. According to Bakker, nearly every element of the home, from internal walls and insulation to rugs, curtains, and even mattresses, will be made from industrial hemp. This choice gives a whole new meaning to “living the high life.”
The question many might ask is: why hemp? For Efron, the goal was to create the “most healthy home on the planet.” Industrial hemp is a fast-growing, carbon-neutral material, making it an ideal choice for sustainability. Additionally, the greenhouse aspect of the project uses oyster shells instead of lime to bind the hemp bricks, eliminating the need for mining materials.
The Role of Joost Bakker
Since the change in hemp laws in Australia in 2017, which allowed the growth of industrial hemp, Bakker has become a leading expert in building with the plant. His self-sustaining, zero-waste home was featured in Season 2, Episode 4 of Efron’s docuseries Down To Earth, which is likely where Efron first considered the idea of creating his own sustainable residence with Bakker’s help.
The Impact of Down To Earth
Down To Earth follows Efron and superfood expert Darin Olien as they travel the globe in search of healthier and more eco-friendly ways to live. The second season, titled “Down Under,” focused on Australia, the place Efron has spent most of his time when not working on film sets.
If this hasn’t already been pitched to Netflix, a docu-series following the construction of Efron’s greenhouse would make a perfect Down To Earth Season 3. The build is scheduled to start in February 2026 and is expected to be completed around September 2027. There’s still plenty of time to get this greenlit!
Efron’s Current Projects
In the meantime, Efron has been spending time in Los Angeles before the big transition. He recently watched his brother compete on Dancing With The Stars Season 34 and is currently filming a thriller titled Famous alongside Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor. The upcoming A24 movie is expected to be released sometime in the 2026 movie schedule.
Efron’s dedication to sustainability and his willingness to lead by example are setting a new standard for eco-friendly living. As he prepares to build his dream home, it’s clear that his vision extends beyond just a place to live—it’s a statement about the future of sustainable architecture.
