For 17 years Trevor and Francoise Sullivan have lived with their two kids and numerous animals in an open sided shed on 33 bushy acres at Lake Bennett south of Darwin. With money tight they were sustained by thoughts of the beautiful home they'd one day enjoy - so they both nutted out a unique design. A cyclone proof, tropical tree house that is windowless and based on the shape of a 50 cent piece.

With little or no funds, Trevor (a wood carver) is building it all himself (including furniture) with the help of generous mates. The going is slow but one of the first things finished is the magnificent central staircase, carved from a fallen Paperbark Tree. Will they get the roof on before the wet season? That is the question.

Grand Designs Australia Season 1 Episodes...

• s01e01 - Bushfire House
• s01e02 - Very Small House
• s01e03 - Southport Heritage House
• s01e04 - Clovelly House
• s01e05 - Lake Bennett House
• s01e06 - Hamptons House
• s01e07 - Fish Creek Church House
• s01e08 - Cottage Point House
• s01e09 - Indented Head House

Grand Designs Australia Show Summary

A truly unique brand and a massive undertaking with a shooting period of over 12 months, Grand Designs Australia tells the stories of new homes and perhaps more importantly the Aussies who are building them. Based on the award-winning UK series, Grand Designs Australia is the first international format of the critically acclaimed show. The series charts the in-depth process of elaborate design projects undertaken by self-builders - from the initial details of blueprints, to the long and often arduous task of turning the designs into a practical living space. No design is too ambitious when it comes to creating your dream home. But discovering the hard realities that complicate your plans can often be too much to bear. From rebuilding a labour of love in the Victorian bush after it was burnt to the ground in the Black Saturday bush fires; to transforming a tiny corner car park into five l