He was a student at Latrobe University, and bought a block of land at Jackeys Marsh for $1500 with his student allowance.

Forty-one years later and the love still burns bright.

“Every day, the reasons why I’m living here are reinforced,” Clark said.

The builder, musician, and theatre worker has just opened up part of his unique lifestyle to others.

In November, he opened the unique Roundhouse as visitor accommodation.

Originally, Clark built the structure as a theatre studio as accommodation for visiting directors and actors that he was working on productions with.

The property showcases his unique talents as a curved wood artist – a rare skill that Clark taught himself, and one that he is often commissioned to do.

With three levels, a deck among the tree tops, and a distinctive rounded top, the Roundhouse has drawn visitors from all over the world in the short time that Clark has been in the tourism industry.

“We only had one night in January that wasn’t booked, and two in February,” Clark said.

“The world comes to me now.

“My visitors get up in the morning, to that view, and they say ‘We know why you live here’.

“You can tell that the place has made an impression on them.”

The property sits at the foot of the Central Highlands, surrounded by bush land, and reflects the work of Clark’s life.

“Here is my playground, I’m always building, always got something on the go,” he said.

“I started with a candle and a kerosene lamp, and progressed to a car battery and a globe. Now, it’s all pretty modern.”

Originally, the site, surrounded by World Heritage forests, was known as the Nut Garden when it was under the ownership of Emanuel Worner in the early 1900s.

Warner’s sons were believed to some of the first people to establish a track and lead walks from the area to Great Lake.

It is a history that mirrors the present. Clark lives on the property with one of his sons, who is also leads guided walks.

His family is strongly entwined with the past and future of the property.

“Sometimes my grandson comes to visit, so there are three generations here,” he said.

“My daughter was born downstairs [at The Roundhouse] and my son was born in the house. 

“The family is connected to here. It gives you a bit of an impetus, you’re projected into the future.”

See more of Clark’s art and discover The Roundhouse at curvedwoodcreations.com