Hanging out in the treetops

Were you lucky enough to have a treehouse to play in as a child?

Perhaps it was to establish a topsecret clubhouse similar to where Calvin and Hobbes plot their water balloon attacks on poor Susie. The tree fort is the location of all meetings of G.R.O.S.S. Guess what? Tree houses are not just for kids!

Thanks to architects and designers who realize that some of us want to reignite our greatest childhood dreams, there are some unbelievable treehouse hotels on offer.

There are also parts of the world where treehouses are not exotic, but an every-day part of life, born of a need to help protect food and belongings from animals and floods.

And there are unique homes too, tree houses that are meant to be lived in all year round. But back to the kids and their treehouse! It appears this outdoor amenity can be very popular with homebuyers, can make a property seem much more luxurious, and even add dollars to a sale price in some cases.

Having a treehouse can make a property as desirable as having a park nearby. Family friendly features are highly sought after by many buyers at all different price points, be they parents, grandparents or yet-to-be parents.

Homes with exciting outdoor amenities have proved even more attractive through times of lockdowns and travel restrictions, with families wanting to make the most of their own private spaces or have ‘staycations’.

It has been noted by some agents that homes on the market mentioning back yards, play equipment and specific play spaces sold even faster than expected, compared with those described as having a park or a playground nearby.

It would appear that it is a good tactic to make the most of such features if taking a property to the market.

If you read ‘treehouse’ in a property listing, it may, of course, refer to a small ‘cubby house’ built by the family or it might be a full-on guesthouse with power, five-star luxury and amazing views… such is the great diversity in terms of both size, design, and level of comfort.

There are tree houses to rent all over Australia - including Daintree Eco Lodge, Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman, Lyola Pavilions in the Forest, Maleny, and Treetops Montville in Queensland; River Room Bellingen Treehouse or Wollemi Wilderness Treehouse in New South Wales; Tree Top Stay and Arcadia Treehouse Cottage in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges; The Tree House in Dunsborough or Skyhouse Retreat in Denmark, Western Australia; and Giraffe Treehouses at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra, ACT.

But perhaps you would prefer something more permanent!