Hollywood star Zac Efron is believed to be quietly living in Byron Bay as he and his team work hard to build his dream home – an off grid haven dubbed “Futurecave” that will be made from hemp.
Efron, 38, purchased a 128 hectare block in the Tweed Valley, about an hour from Byron, in 2020. The High School Musical alum had been keeping a low profile in the Aussie town but his builder, Australian environmentalist designer Joost Bakker, posted a pic with the star last month: “Excited to get started on Zac’s house!”
Zac Efron’s builder Joost Bakker posted this photo with team working on the actor’s eco build. Instagram/@joostbakker
Bakker continued: “Especially want to thank these two legends @main__frank for working so hard to get this project designed and approved! (And somehow interpreting my sketches).
“I first met Frank and Bron @futurefoodsystem and we quickly struck up a friendship. While working at @mcildowiepartners he helped by doing architectural tours of @futurefoodsystem and then when @woodleighschool asked me to do an extension to the school, I asked him if he wanted to do it with me and he said let’s do it!
“It didn’t take long for Bron and Frank to start out on their own and they have both been amazing working on Zac’s house. Enthusiastically embracing any idea!”
Speaking with Domain in November 2025, Bakker revealed his plans to build Efron a sustainable six-bedroom, six-bathroom home covered in plant ecosystems designed to support species rather than overtake their habitat.
He explained that hemp will be incorporated throughout the home.
“The mattresses that Zac will sleep on, they’ll be completely plant-based, natural hemp-based mattresses,” Bakker said.
Insulation, curtains, rugs and internal walls will be made of hemp, he said, as will the joinery in the kitchens.
Parts of Efron’s home will be made out of hemp, including his mattress. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
“For the past year we’ve experimented with making hemp blocks, replacing concrete with two materials that restore the environment. Hemp: possibly the best plant on earth at repairing and restoring.”
Efron’s deep connection to Australia was solidified back in 2020 when he spent the COVID-19 lockdown in the country.
Efron’s roots have been firmly planted Down Under since 2020. Instagram/@zacefron
During his extended stay, he famously dated Australian model and waitress Vanessa Valladares.
The pair met in June 2020 while she was working at the Byron Bay General Store & Café. Their romance lasted for 10 months.
His passion for the Australian environment was further fuelled while filming the second season of his Emmy-winning Netflix docuseries, Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under where he travelled across the country to explore habitat conservation and eco-innovation.