A couple tired of the rental market builds a spectacular off-the-grid tiny home in the woods

Nina and Victor built their DIY dream home in the remote Australian bush.

The off-grid house runs on solar power and uses a rainwater collection system, showing that careful planning and hard work pay off—even for those without building experience.

Moreover, the site offers stunning views and a peaceful parking area, making it a true escape from city life.

This project is an inspiring reminder of what determination and resourcefulness can achieve.

From renting to building a DIY dream tiny home

Nina and Victor, a couple from New Zealand, were drawn to the beauty of the Australian bush.

They often sat and admired the view, but their dream was bigger than just enjoying the scenery.

Tired of the rental market, they wanted a home of their own. Nina had long envisioned building a tiny house, and Victor eagerly took on the challenge.

“I’d been wanting to do it for a long time… I liked the idea of a small place to call our own and I really liked the idea of building it and that challenge as well,” Nina shared.

When the pandemic brought uncertainty to their living situation, they saw an opportunity. With time, space, and motivation on their side, they took the leap.

Overcoming challenges to build a dream

The journey to creating their DIY dream tiny home came with unexpected obstacles.

Shortly after buying the trailer for their house, Nina was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. As a result, Victor had to take on most of the building work.

“It’s really, really hard to build a house on your own,” Nina admitted.

Despite the difficulties, they pushed forward. Nina helped whenever possible, and Victor’s determination carried the project through.

“We made it work, and we got here,” she said.

With no prior experience—aside from building garage shelves and a cat tower—they learned on the job.

Their third project, as they joked, became their home. They even built an enclosed cat run, ensuring their pets could enjoy the outdoors safely.

Designing a functional tiny home

Their finished DIY dream tiny home sits on a 2.4 x 7.8-meter trailer, with an overhang that brings the total height to 8.3 meters.

They focused on natural light and indoor-outdoor flow, placing the front doors in the middle of the home, a decision that some questioned.

“We really wanted that indoor-outdoor flow in the middle of the house, so we went with that, and we’re actually really, really happy with it,” Nina explained.

Drawing inspiration from other tiny homes, they chose a blue-and-white color scheme and durable middle siding, requiring minimal bush maintenance.

They also built a deck, more than doubling their usable space.

Off-grid living in the Australian bush

Nina and Victor designed their tiny home to be entirely off-grid. Their solar system includes ten panels and ten kilowatt-hours of battery storage, providing all the power they need.

“We get a lot of joy just knowing that all of our power is coming from the sun,” she said.

Most of their home runs on electricity, with gas only used for hot water—something they hope to change.

Their rainwater collection system supports their water needs, while a unique gray water filtration system helps nourish the surrounding environment.

The system channels used water through a reed bed filled with scoria, where bacteria break down nutrients before the clean water is used to feed a banana plant and trees.

Victor has also planted 250 trees since January, working to restore the natural landscape.

The cozy and functional interior of the diy dream tiny home

Inside, the tiny house feels bright and open. Light timber finishes create a warm atmosphere, and repurposed wood flooring adds character.

Nina and her mother worked on the floors together, making them even more special.

“It’s really special to be using repurposed goods and to have done this floor with family members,” Victor said.

A built-in couch with storage maximizes space in the living area. At the same time, the U-shaped kitchen allows both Nina and Victor to cook comfortably.

“I’m glad with how this one worked out,” Nina said.

They even fit a dishwasher and custom-built a range hood to match their ceiling design.

Upstairs, the loft doubles as a guest room, Victor’s office, and a space for TV and gaming. Despite its small size, the bathroom fits a washing machine and a composting toilet.

A labor of love, a dream fulfilled

Building their DIY dream tiny home was challenging and a labor of love.

The total construction cost, including secondhand tools, was AUD 65,000 (USD 41,000). The off-grid setup added another AUD 30,000 (USD 19,000), bringing the total to just under AUD 100,000 (USD 63,000).

By sourcing materials through Facebook Marketplace, Victor helped keep costs down. Reflecting on their journey, they emphasized the importance of taking things step by step.

“It was only by taking it one step at a time, figuring out what we could do, what the limitations were, adjusting and making tweaks—that’s how we were able to get it done,” Victor said.

Now, they couldn’t be happier nearly a year after moving in.

“It feels like the dream that we’ve been imagining for so long,” he said.

Their home is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the power of determination.

Settled in the peaceful Australian bush, they finally live the life they dreamed of.

Here’s a quick tour of Nina and Victor’s DIY dream tiny home:

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