6m King Dome Build

If there was ever a build that tested our logistics, patience, and ability to lug materials uphill, this was it.

This latest 6m King Dome sits on a boat-only-access property tucked away in the bush just off the Hawkesbury River, NSW. Yep, no road. No driveway. Just water, hills, and a serious sense of “are we sure we want to do this?”

Spoiler alert: absolutely.

The Location: Remote… Like, Really Remote

Location: Near the Hawkesbury River, NSW
Access: By boat only. Every beam, board and bracket was barged in.
Client’s Plan: A minimalist Airbnb glamping experience
Size: 6m diameter (~28m² of internal space)
Setting: Bushland retreat with epic elevation and no close neighbours, just how we like it.

This build was designed to be off-grid, immersive, and as “leave-no-trace” as possible. Except, of course, for the dome. That’s staying.

The Platform: Floating Foundations (Well, Almost)

No concrete. No post holes. No drilling.

To keep things flexible and within temporary structure guidelines, we built this dome on a base of Besser blocks, topped with a galvanised steel subframe and upgraded to a magnesium oxide (MAG) board floor — because termites don’t take holidays. Okay, we used a little bit of concrete, but that was to fill the Besser blocks (and the star pickets we drove through and into the ground to ensure the bloody thing doesn’t shift).

What’s special about MAG board?

Fire-rated — an essential in bushland settings
Water & mould resistant
Thermally solid (which helps in cold, elevated spots like this)
And, to be honest, kind of makes you feel like you’re building with military-grade materials

In short: it’s everything-proof, which is what this site needed.

Sliding Glass Doors, Because Why Not?

Despite being in the middle of nowhere, the client went for our premium sliding glass door setup — and we’re stoked they did.

Double-glazed glass
Flyscreens included (because mozzies don’t care how remote you are)
Adds natural light, airflow, and a serious touch of luxury

It’s the kind of thing that makes guests go, “Oh wow,” even before they see the inside. The only downside was the massive pain it was to get the bloody things to site, thanks to the heavy double-glazing.

The Aesthetic: Designed to Disappear

The dome’s finished in our newest eucalyptus green cover, the go-to choice for anyone wanting to blend into the Aussie bush. Unlike bright white domes (which stand out like a baboon’s arse), this one quietly melts into the treeline.

It’s simple, earthy, and incredibly photogenic, exactly what you want for an off-grid glamping listing.

The Build Challenge: Hills + Barges + No Jetty (Yet)

Getting the materials up to the build site required:

A barge
A small army of helpers
A whole lot of patience

The site is steep — not Everest steep, but steep enough to make you question your career choices mid-haul. There’s no jetty yet, but the client is working on it. By the time this goes live to the public, boat access should be a breeze.