{"id":471465,"date":"2026-06-11T05:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/471465\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T05:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:00:13","slug":"zac-efron-believed-to-be-secretly-living-in-aussie-town-as-he-builds-forever-home-out-of-hemp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/471465\/","title":{"rendered":"Zac Efron believed to be secretly living in Aussie town, as he builds forever home out of hemp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hollywood<\/a> star Zac Efron<\/a> is believed to be quietly living in Byron Bay<\/a> as he and his team work hard to build his dream home \u2013 an off grid haven dubbed \u201cFuturecave\u201d that will be made from hemp. <\/p>\n

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<\/a> with the star last month: \u201cExcited to get started on Zac\u2019s house!\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

Zac Efron’s builder Joost Bakker posted this photo with team working on the actor’s eco build.\u00a0Instagram\/@joostbakker<\/p>\n

Bakker continued: \u201cEspecially want to thank these two legends\u00a0@main__frank\u00a0for working so hard to get this project designed and approved! (And somehow interpreting my sketches).<\/p>\n

\u201cI first met Frank and Bron\u00a0@futurefoodsystem\u00a0and we quickly struck up a friendship. While working at\u00a0@mcildowiepartners\u00a0he helped by doing architectural tours of\u00a0@futurefoodsystem\u00a0and then when\u00a0@woodleighschool\u00a0asked me to do an extension to the school, I asked him if he wanted to do it with me and he said let\u2019s do it! <\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t take long for Bron and Frank to start out on their own and they have both been amazing working on Zac\u2019s house. Enthusiastically embracing any idea!\u201d <\/p>\n

Speaking with Domain<\/a> in November 2025, Bakker revealed his plans to build Efron\u00a0a sustainable six-bedroom, six-bathroom home covered in plant ecosystems designed to support species rather than overtake their habitat. <\/p>\n

He explained that hemp will be incorporated throughout the home. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe mattresses that Zac will sleep on, they\u2019ll be completely plant-based, natural hemp-based mattresses,\u201d Bakker said. <\/p>\n

Insulation, curtains, rugs and internal walls will be made of hemp, he said, as will the joinery in the kitchens. <\/p>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

Parts of Efron’s home will be made out of hemp, including his mattress. \u00a0Emma McIntyre\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the past year we\u2019ve 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.\u201d <\/p>\n

Efron\u2019s deep connection to Australia<\/a> was solidified back in 2020 when he spent the COVID-19 lockdown in the country. <\/p>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

Efron’s roots have been firmly planted Down Under since 2020. \u00a0Instagram\/@zacefron<\/p>\n

During his extended stay, he famously dated Australian model and waitress Vanessa Valladares<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The pair met in June 2020 while she was working at the Byron Bay General Store & Caf\u00e9. Their romance<\/a> lasted for 10 months. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n