Quirky yurt: Iconic Bodalla 'round house' goes up for sale

Originally built in Nowra and transported to the Sutcliffe Street site by its first owner, the home is technically a 'yurt'.

All the fittings were original, including the incredible timber atrium with its beams radiating to the outside of the house.

"That round thing, it's just magnificent. It's just something I feel when I'm inside, I love it," said Ms Moretti.

"I've always thought I was a gypsy in my life, I never wanted any walls."

Sales executive at Harcourts Batemans Bay, Greg Robson, was particularly attracted by the custom-built ceiling.

"It looks almost like an aircraft or something, but it really is a nice touch," he said.

"With all the timber, it smells a bit like a sauna when you go in there."

Some time ago, Ms Moretti met the granddaughter of the round house's first owner by chance in a Moruya Motel.

When she visited her former home, she revealed her tiny feet- and hand-prints in the cement outside the back door.

Born in Chile, Ms Moretti moved to Australia with her family in 1977 when her husband, an aircraft mechanic, got a job as a toolmaker in Sydney.

"My husband said it would be five years and we'd be back," she said.

"But I thought no - this is home."

Despite undergoing treatment for cancer, Ms Moretti did all of the renovation by hand, redesigning the bathroom and upgrading the plumbing, while honouring the building by keeping it clean and fresh.

"I've done a lot of work, little by little," she said.

Her estate agent praised the work Ms Moretti had done to bring the round house up to date.

"She's used some bright colours and done some nice things to the property," said Mr Robson.

Although the design was certainly unusual, Mr Robson believed the right buyer would come along, perhaps for a dual-occupant project on the generous block.

"It's not for everybody obviously," said Robson.

"But it's definitely a quirky property and it will hopefully sell to somebody who finds value in the yurt."

Although Ms Moretti was reluctant to let the round house go, she was confident someone who loved the building as much as she did would soon come along.

"I feel free here," she said.

"The right person will come."

Know about any interesting design or iconic buildings in your area? Drop Tim a line at tim.grey@austcommunitymedia.com.au