Nestled a short drive north of Darwin’s CBD is the suburb of Ludmilla, where couple Michael and Karen Hawkes have been keeping their secret treehouse resort.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 42 Wells St is hidden behind a gated fence and a sea of tropical trees, and is now on the market as the perfect home for an active and growing family.
42 Wells St, Ludmilla, is a tropical retreat nestled between a gated fence and a mini jungle.
The home is built like a treehouse: divided into three pods, with every hallway outside in the fresh air.
“People say it’s a party house,” Mr Hawkes said. “We’ve had two 18ths, one 21st, two 60ths and a 70th. We’ve had lots of big birthday parties there, New Year’s parties, Christmas and Australia Day parties.”
The home’s 1000 sqm of land allows for a lot of space, both within the home itself and the surrounding garden.
With most of the rooms sitting above ground, the lower level of the house is dedicated to utilities: from shaded parking options to a laundry and storage room, along with a recreation area for crafting and play.
The bedrooms and kitchen are separated from the large, open living space, with the master bedroom allowed its own private pod.
On the upper level sits three separated pods: one for residential needs, one for a living space and one for a private master bedroom. Each pod is connected by a covered timber walkway, taking the indoor-outdoor living style to its highest degree.
“All the hallways are on the outside,” Mr Hawkes said. “You just enjoy the seasons better. During the dry season, having more of the windows and doors open, walking along the deck, you just feel like you’re walking through a holiday resort. Even during a wet season, you just can’t wait for the sound of the rain on the tin roof.”
”You just enjoy the seasons better … even during a wet season, you just can’t wait for the sound of rain on the tin roof.”
The home’s 1000 sqm of land and lower level amenities allow plenty of room for parties, where big groups of people can still have spaces all to themselves.
The main area has every necessity, including three bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. Two of the three bedrooms are equipped with built-in wardrobes, with an extra living space by the kitchen that doubles as a study or dining area.
The oversized master bedroom is placed off to the side and decked out with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom.
This leaves the third pod entirely dedicated to a big, open living space, allowing for a private spot completely reserved for family relaxation.
A sunken decked spa completes the amenities on offer across the private family home.
Right outside the living room sits a sunken decked spa with a water feature, offering residents and guests a chance to sit back in the water while looking out at the low-maintenance tropical garden.
“There are lots of places for people to gather and not be crowded in one section,” Mr Hawkes said. “People find they’re not forced into a particular room.”
Real Estate Central will take the house to auction on May 13.
The Hawkes family lived in the home for 15 years while raising their two daughters, moving there from within the same suburb to stay connected to the community.
“It’s a rare thing that everyone knows their neighbours,” Mr Hawkes said. “And Ludmilla is in the centre of everything in Darwin.”
“We were looking for a larger home at the time to accommodate our family … we’re really going to miss it.”
The home will go to auction on May 13 with Real Estate Central.
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