Ninney Rise, heritage-listed house in Bingil Bay, Queensland, Australia
Ninney Rise is a house on the coast of Bingil Bay in Queensland, about 65 feet (20 meters) from the beach with views of the Coral Sea. Built around 1960, it features sturdy brick walls and bamboo detailing, with wide verandahs on both sides that provide shelter and ventilation.
The house was built in 1960 by John Büsst, an artist and conservationist who fought to protect the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests from mining and drilling. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Ninney Rise became a gathering place where scientists and activists coordinated campaigns that helped establish the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and rainforest protections.
The name Ninney Rise refers to its location above Ninney Point on the coast. The house reflects John Büsst's belief that art and nature belong together, and it draws people interested in how one home became a center for environmental action. Visitors experience how this private dwelling played a role in protecting Queensland's natural places.
The site is not open daily and requires booking in advance or attendance at organized events. Access is through a private road in Bingil Bay, so check with local conservation groups about current opening times and access policies before planning a visit.
The house was built with bricks from the Silkwood Brickworks, and bamboo planted in the district in the 19th century was used for ceiling panels, architraves, fittings and furniture. Busst wanted a structure that would last a thousand years, and the reinforced concrete and brick shell was meant to survive the cyclones that regularly hit this coast.
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