This rural shed house, or ‘shouse’, offers a quintessential Aussie home among the gumtrees, just a few minutes’ drive from idyllic coastline - and it’s up for grabs.
Shed houses have become popular in recent years, with their steel exterior offering a comfortable modern home on the inside with plenty of room to move and tinker.
Shed houses like 300 Reservoir Drive, Wynyard are becoming increasingly popular. Picture: realestate.com.au
As building costs rise, these durable, tough but soft-on-the-inside abodes also offer a potentially cheaper way to build a home.
From their striking shed house, the Watling family capture the essence of the classic Aussie lifestyle, from the bush to the sea.
The Watling are selling their much-loved shouse in rural Tasmania. Picture: realestate.com.au
Surrounded by soaring gums, they wake to the song of magpies, the odd wallaby and the first burst of sunshine streaming through their large, tall windows.
Their Tasmanian ‘shouse’ at 300 Reservoir Drive, Wynyard was constructed by a builder friend two years ago. The statement home blends into the bush landscape thanks to the browns, tans and beiges of its distinctive timber and stone facade.
The dwelling has a large shed at the front and modern two-bedroom home at the back. Picture: realestate.com.au
Christie and Jarrod Watling and their three-year-old, Parker, built the shed house as a temporary measure with an idea to build elsewhere on the property. However, plans changed and they are now selling up in search of a bigger house on a smaller footprint.
For Christie, leaving it behind is “bittersweet”.
“We made it so nice, we love everything about it and the area, and the outdoor landscape,” she said.
“It’s just the peace and quiet, really - the serenity.”
The kitchen includes custom cabinetry, an integrated dishwasher and farmhouse double sink. Picture: realestate.com.au
The striking modern house will be auctioned on April 11. It features open and airy spaces, clean lines and generous windows that capture scenic views of the rural setting and let sunlight flood in.
Outside, free range chickens roam and the veggie garden keeps the young family busy. It’s only a few minutes drive to the Wynyard town centre and the beach.
“It’s country, but coastal,” Christie said. “Having a young son, it’s been ideal for him to grow up outdoors.
“It’s peaceful and you can go for walks. The best thing is the free lifestyle, and not having any close neighbours.”
The property has approved plans for a second dwelling on site. Picture: realestate.com.au
The property comes with approved plans for a second dwelling on site, offering a blank canvas for further landscaping or development.
“There’s lots of area and potential - for someone good at landscaping, it’d be amazing,” she said.
The spacious bathroom features a freestanding tub. Picture: realestate.com.au
Other features of the two-bedroom home include high ceilings, a striking exposed timber beam in the living zone, stone fireplace, polished concrete floors, double glazing, natural materials, and large bathroom.
The huge garage can also fit three vehicles.
The shed fits three vehicles. Picture: realestate.com.au
Andrew de Bomford from Harcourts Burnie said shed houses came up for sale “very occasionally” and expected bidding to start in the $700,000s.
“There’s not a lot to compare them with and that’s part of the reason we’re going to auction. They’re a little bit different, a little bit quirky,” he said.
“We’ve had half a dozen inquiries already - that’s really good for something that’s been up 24 hours.”
The shed house boom
Australians have affectionately embraced the shouse - also known as a shome - with sites popping up on social media sites paying tribute to the hardy, rustic, no-frills structures.
Facebook group Shed Life Australia - boasting almost 188,000 followers - features photos of shed lovers showing off their simple yet remarkably roomy shouses.
The front of the Sisters Beach building is a typical Colorbond shed, while the back has been fitted out as a one-bedroom home. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
In 2024, a huge habitable shouse was sold at Sisters Beach on Tasmania's north coast for $740,000. The Colorbond shed was marketed as a “paradise for those that love to tinker”.
Meanwhile, a shouse on Tasmania’s north west coast at 4 Mauds Road, Scotchtown is offering low-maintenance living “perfect for tradies, hobbyists, weekenders or those wanting room to grow”.
The massive shed in Scotchtown includes a modern 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom residence. Picture: realestate.com.au
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom wonder is being offloaded for $425,000-plus.
Listed for $425,000-plus, it's a shed at the front, home at the back. Picture: realestate.com.au
Another shed-inspired home has been turning heads in NSW’s Riverina region. The owners of a shed-building company based in Griffith have created a spacious luxury house with a steel frame clad in Colorbond.
The Griffith property was built by owners of a shed company. Picture: realestate.com.au
Uniquely, the colour scheme in the two-storey home is all black apart from the concrete floor. The residence sits on 2.5 acres with features including eight-metre cathedral ceilings.
Floor-to-ceiling glass on both sides of the home reveal stunning views and flood the home with natural light. The property also includes a huge commercial shed.
La Grande Case Nera - translating to 'the big black house' - sits outside Griffith in regional NSW. Picture: realestate.com.au
The unique home was listed late last year with a price guide of $2.8-$3m but was withdrawn from sale this week.
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