The Underground House Olinda

100% Recommended
6 people
Pet-friendly
Welcome to our one-of-a-kind earth sheltered home, nestled into a one acre mature garden. Grand beech trees, scotch elm, maples, gingko and tree ferns cocoon you from the world. The sustainable green roof insulates the home and supports a vegetable garden.

Inside, the home features timber felled from the footprint of the house. Soak in the brass bath by one of the ponds and wood fire, in complete privacy.

Walk/run/mountain bike right from home to bush tracks, Olinda shops, Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden & National Park and cafes/restaurants.
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Features and Amenities

3 bedrooms
5 beds
2 bathrooms
Bath
BBQ
Heating

Details

  • Check in after 2:00pm
    Check out before 11:00am
  • Weekday minimum booking: 1 night
    Weekend minimum booking: 2 nights
Cancellation Policy: 

Receive a full refund (minus service fee) up until 1 week prior to check-in.

Additional Information

This home was the vision of determined local woman, Pat Sanders. Pat long dreamt of this home. She designed it herself, had plans drawn up by green architect John Pizzey and had it built in the early 1980's. As a trained horticulturalist, she spent much of her time creating and maintaining the lush garden.

We are the second owners. We love its original details, such as the large copper range hood, the feature wall of gnarled blackwood near the entry and the handmade tiles in the kitchen and toilet. The blackwood benchtops and wall panelling show off the beautiful timber that once grew here.

The home is very quiet, cocooned in the earth. It is very private and warm in winter, cool in summer. It is close to all amenities in town (walking distance) and yet feels secluded.

Outside, old trees tower over the garden - beech, scotch elm, birch, tulip and gingko. The roof is covered in grass and a large vegetable garden which we used all year round. Large windows face into the garden making you feel cocooned in the landscape (without being cold!). It really is a magical property, in all seasons.

Dogs are welcome and attract a $50 fee per pet. After booking please get in touch and we will add that fee. Dogs are allowed inside the house but not on furniture or the beds. The yard is fully fenced and kept our kelpie in.

We have a large community of artists living here in 'the hills' as we affectionately call this community. Original works are on display on the walls of our home and available for sale. Guests can scan a QR Code below each work for further information about each artist.

In the kitchen for your use:
Jura espresso machine
Coffee beans (fresh from the roastery in Mt Dandenong)
Tea bags - earl grey, peppermint and English breakfast
Greek mountain tea (boil with water on stovetop)
Pasta
Tomato sauce for pasta
Olive oil
Salt/pepper
Soda stream maker

This is a quiet neighbourhood, no parties and no noise after 10pm.

Prices

  • Base Price $394 / night
  • Weekend Price $499 / night
  • Cleaning Fee $160
  • Security Deposit $1,000
  • Extra People $60 (adult) and $60 (child) / night after 2 people
  • Pet Fee $50 flat
  • Discounts 
    27% discount for bookings of 7 nights or longer

    30% discount for bookings of 28 nights or longer

Finding fulfillment

Based on traveller reviews, these are the top fulfilling moments experienced while staying here. Learn more

Rejuvenation

Peacefulness

Slowness

Reviews (31)

100% Recommended

Aman

23 Jul 2026
We all had an amazing stay at the underground house! The house is located near a trail and shops, all walking distance. It was just the perfect break we were all looking for!
Self-discovery
Rejuvenation
Groundedness
Slowness
Peacefulness
Unplugged
+1
Human connection

Jacquie

15 Jul 2026
It’s a unique and beautiful home with incredible design heritage both in the house and in the garden. It’s a rare opportunity to stay somewhere like this. Comfortable and gorgeous, our highlights were... the beautiful brass bathtub in the master bedroom, watching the golden light filter through the trees at the end of the day whilst having a drink on the back porch, cooking and eating a meal in the cozy lounge surrounded by dark timber walls and warm light, millions of tiny raindrops hanging off the leaves and twigs of the trees glittering in the morning like crystal as the mist moved around the landscape. Just across the road is a great stand of mountain ash for a quick walk to stretch your legs and hear the wind rustle in the tall trees like a faraway ocean. One of our best ever mini breaks.
Human connection
Slowness
Peacefulness
Unplugged

Jefry

5 Jul 2026
This place is absolutely amazing, and the cleanliness was remarkable.

There are so many beautiful things to mention, from the stunning garden and cosy interior to the bathtub overlooking nature and t...he mystical atmosphere in the morning. The location is also very convenient while still feeling quiet and peaceful.

Cathy was an amazing and very responsive host, which made the stay even more enjoyable.

Highly recommended!
Excitement
Rejuvenation
Peacefulness
Unplugged

Host

Cathy
Email Verified
Phone Verified
Monbulk
1Listings
My husband and I lived in this bespoke home with our two kids, lots of chickens and kelpie. I walked every morning through the bush nearby and we grew our veggies on the roof year round. I'm a photographer, environmental scientist, horse owner, lover of Australian landscapes and my husband Diamond is a chemical engineer. We now live close by in Monbulk on 11 acres amongst the bush with our animals, veggie garden and orchard.
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Adventures on the Property

These are the exclusive natural wonders and outdoor activities within the property boundaries.

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Explore The Forest

Across the road from the Underground House you can walk among giants; the towering mountain ash that stand strong amidst the forest, flanked by ancient tree ferns. Take a walk early morning to catch the sun beams piercing the mist.

Location

The map shows the listing location and awesome adventures nearby.

Listing location
Adventures nearby

Adventures Nearby

Here are some details about the adventures nearby. Refer to the map for their location.

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Rhododendron Gardens

Walking around the gardens where we soaked in (while also physically getting soaked) its picturesque beauty, coloured by a rich array of autumn hues that painted the scenery so perfectly. Every corner we turned felt like it belonged in an oil painting.
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Stroll Through The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens

We took a quick stroll through the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, finding cooling pockets in greenery that provided a welcome respite during the heatwave.
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Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

Perched high in the Dandenong Ranges, the Botanic Garden feels like stepping into a living painting. Rolling hills of colour, winding paths under towering trees, and crisp mountain air that slows your pace without even noticing. It’s the perfect spot for a slow family day out — easy walks, wide-open spaces for kids to run free, and enough beauty to inspire everyone, no matter their age. Wander without a plan and you might just find exactly what you didn’t know you were looking for.
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Dandenong Botanical Gardens

A lovely spot for a walk. It is full of an incredible array of flowers and plants.
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Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

A stunning garden with a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias just to name a few!
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens

Particularly around spring-time, these gardens are the perfect place to get lost among a sea of colours

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$394per night
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