Zac Efron has seemingly packed up and departed Hollywood for a new life in a blissful Australian coastal town that is home to another major movie star.
The American actor, 38, has reportedly been secretly living and putting down roots in New South Wales’ idyllic Byron Bay, the Mail revealed. Zac has been overseeing the construction of his new eco-friendly home near the popular Aussie town for the last month, as per Australian designer Joost Bakker.
“Excited to get started on Zac’s house!” the environmental innovator captioned a photo alongside the Hollywood star on 8 May, confirming the property had been approved. In recent photos posted on 23 May, the actor looked involved in the building process as he joined the designer on cropping land, which will apparently be used to make materials in the actor’s kitchen and bathroom.
Zac first relocated to Byron Bay during the pandemic in early 2020. He then sold his Los Angeles home and purchased the 128-hectare property back in 2020. According to the Mail, the home will cost $2.65 million to build and cover 830 square metres of bushland.
© Getty ImagesEco home
Eco-designer Joost revealed the early design plans for Zac’s new home back in November. “It’s not everyday of the week that Zac Efron asks you to design his home, I am beyond excited! Especially as it will be the first home he has ever owned!” he shared on Instagram.
“Zac fell in love with @futurefoodsystem and then our family home in Monbulk and now wants a home of his own, and best of all he wants me to push my ideas as far as they can go!” he added. “So here we are – designing and building Zac’s home. It’s a dream come true. Every element is pushing my team creatively and I love nothing more than testing so many ideas.”
© InstagramZac’s home looks like it will be made with cutting-edge technology and environmentally-friendly and innovative materials, including hemp blocks and recycled oyster shells. “I want to create a building material that I hope will become mainstream one day – a material that naturally breathes, is anti-mould, naturally fire resistant and improves the indoor air Zac will ultimately breathe,” the designer said.
Zac’s A-list neighbour
As a Sydney native who has visited Byron Bay countless times, the actor could not have chosen a more picturesque coastal town. Byron is a popular holiday spot for Aussies looking to unwind by the ocean in a slice of paradise with plenty of cafes and shops in the town. For this reason, it’s unsurprisingly home to another big name in Hollywood.
© InstagramAustralian actor Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky relocated there from Los Angeles in 2014. The couple’s renovated beachside abode, which is estimated to be worth around AUS$20 million, overlooks the ocean and is the most gorgeous spot to raise their three children.
Elsa told HELLO! in April 2025 that her family are “all very sporty”, and her idea of a perfect family day was “at home in Byron Bay, Chris and I love to take the kids surfing, riding or walking our dogs along the beach.”