Sustainable luxury: the Margaret River Region’s architectural gems

The Margaret River Region has become a magnet for design lovers and eco-conscious travellers in search of stays that feel as good as they look.

Indica Hemp House is a Wilyabrup retreat that pairs design-led architecture with high-performance natural materials. Winning six 2024 Master Builders Awards and achieving an impressive 8.7 NatHERS energy rating, it’s built from 30% hempcrete walls, artisan Marbellino plaster, custom micro clay composites and recycled materials. And with four king suites and a spectacular spa deck, it’s a blueprint for the next generation of eco-luxury.

Nearby, Edge Luxury Villas demonstrates how architecture can dissolve into its surroundings. Sitting directly above the water, the villas use overwater balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows to create a sense of floating within the landscape. Entirely off-grid, Edge operates on solar power (including EV charging) and rainwater harvesting, while using low-tox, sustainable products throughout. Recognised with four WA Master Builders Awards, including Best in Class 2024, their small environmental footprint only enhances your stay.

The region’s commitment to place-based architecture is evident in Yallingup, where Barn Hives reinterprets the geometry of the bee hives into a series of eco-pods, each oriented to capture seasonal vineyard views and maximise natural light. Passive solar design, cross-ventilation, rainwater capture and solar power underpin the build, allowing the pods to operate as fully self-sustaining retreats.

Travel east to Scott River just past Augusta, and you’ll find 750 hectares of peppermint forest and Little House Republic, a sophisticated reimagining of tiny house living. Completely off-grid, each cabin is designed using recycled materials, solar energy and rainwater systems to minimise environmental impact. Through their partnership with Carbon Positive Australia, guests are encouraged to measure and offset their travel footprint, turning sustainability into even more of a personal choice.

For travellers who seek connection through shared spaces, the region offers a suite of homes that elevate group travel into something extraordinary.

In Quindalup, The Grove pairs boutique hotel sensibilities with the comfort and craft of an architecturally designed home. Natural materials and warm textures create a deeply calming atmosphere and as the owners note, “every choice is made to minimise our footprint.” That philosophy is woven through every detail, from the two master suites and dedicated wellness room to the infinity pool and expansive landscaping that connects the home to its natural surrounds.

Hidden in the Yallingup Hills, Sundance Estate brings together scale, privacy and contemporary elegance across two expansive villas. With eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms and panoramic views across the grounds, it’s designed for milestone celebrations, retreats and large family gatherings. A helipad adds a memorable arrival for those seeking a dramatic entrance, yet the estate retains a grounded sense of place.

Some of the region’s most memorable stays lean even further into nature as the guiding designer.

Just 12 minutes from Busselton, Tree Chalets offer an adults-only forest hideaway. Set among rose gum trees, each chalet features an outdoor cast-iron bath, natural marri timber elements, a woodfire and a deck that opens directly to the forest. Solar power, EV chargers and a zero-single-use-plastic ethos anchor the experience in sustainability. As owners Fran and Andrew say, “All of these elements come together to create a space to take in nature and relax. Let’s call it the architecture of nature.”

Further south, the architectural language shifts to the coast, where design becomes a direct response to the ever-changing ocean. And in Dunsborough, Beach Box interprets coastal living through geometric precision: a striking cube-shaped retreat softened by timber, bush surrounds and light-filled interiors.