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The hinterland of Byron Bay is an ethereal escape. Its roaring green vista and magical allure is a magnetic chasm that’s drawn legions to its hillside for over half a century. In this space, clocks are discouraged. Those who answer to the region’s beck and call instead follow nature’s ebbs and flows.
It’s here, over 55 rolling acres in Coopers Shoot, that a collective of new-generation creatives have developed a one-of-a-kind retreat. This place is Sun Ranch—Australia’s first-ever luxury ranch.
Set atop a grassy ridge overlooking Bangalow, a panoply of nostalgic wonder awaits the discerning voyager. Conceived with an air of 70s Californication and dreams of a bygone ease, Sun Ranch’s founders, led by former fashion designer Jamie Blakey and travel-blogger Julia Ashwood, have spared no expense in curating a truly exceptional resort.
The aesthetics of the ranch were intentionally designed as a portal to the rustic summer of love. Homages to airy Californian interiors and Texas cowboy touchpoints are steeped throughout the rambler estate. Yet, after my two-night stay, I left with a sense that Sun Ranch was an adults-only ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ journey made tangible.
For wellness practitioners, a ‘Go Easy’ dam with a custom timber sauna and ice bath and ‘Stoney Ridge’ healing circle located at the highest elevation on the misty mountain top. For the naturalist supreme, 350 meters of creek frontage with a babbling inlet that cuts you straight into town and a paddock filled with roaming Zephyr horses. For the getaway set, an indulgent 82-foot basalt stone pool and a cattle bar slinging up the best house-made spicy margaritas north of Bondi.
As I learned, this was a specific essence the founders wanted to capture. “From the moment you come through the gates, you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere different,” says Blakey. “From the unexpected design moments to the array of different offerings here at the ranch. We hope you leave feeling like you can conquer the world.”
Choose Your Own Adventure
Upon driving through Sun Ranch’s wooden entrance beams, you’ll marvel at the sheer size of the grounds. Yet, despite the size, each corner of the 22-hectare compound is meticulously curated for an immersive and indulgent escape. A place to reconnect with yourself. With nature. And with one another.
Each morning on the ranch begins with the Byron sun creeping through the windows of the four primary guest houses. These rooms, each unique in design, flank the main ‘Rambler Long House’ and boast names like “Gettin’ Lucky”. These suites feature a private patio, a well-stocked mini-bar brimming with local produce, the softest Egyptian cotton sheets and vintage furnishings. (A common theme throughout the entire ranch).
Best of all, a private pool apt to gather around in the afternoon to share guacamole and corn tostadas. By dawn, the oven of the main saloon is one and baking the freshly made each morning muffins, which are then delivered to your room pre-breakfast in a cowboy hat. Go figure.
After a session of morning yoga in the ‘Mellow Field’ lawn, you’ll share in the complimentary ‘Byron’ breakfast which includes light refreshments like grilled sourdough, smashed avocado, soft-boiled eggs, pickled onions and the premiere hot sauce chilli jam you’ll ever try. (Editor’s Note: If you’re nice enough, the lovely ‘Ranch Hands’ on staff may generously share the recipe with you as they did me).
By mid-morning, either wander up the hill into the heart of the ranch to enjoy the pièce de résistance 25-meter pool, or stock up on ‘me time’ in the traditional Finnish sauna and cold plunge.
Afternoons are formulated for rest and relaxation. Take an e-bike to explore the entire property or venture into Bangalow on canoe via the creek (if you’re brave enough). For a city slicker like myself, I spent it dining in town at the must-visit Italian restaurant, Ciao Mate, and predicting my future between sips of tequila by utilising the ranch’s vintage James Bond-themed tarot cards.
As the evening crawled closer, all holidayers ventured up to the top of the hill—past the six self-sufficient barn rooms—to watch the sunset while sipping organic red wine and feasting on a ploughman’s platter and roasted marshmallows. Once the stars set in, we wandered into the adjacent whisky lounge for light bites—including this salivating trail mix—and admired the ranch’s collection of records and interior artefacts.
Warm chocolate cookies await you on your pillow each night before retreating into a well-deserved slumber. (There wasn’t any milk to accompany the late-night snack, but given the circumstances, we’re sure the staff have no qualms about brewing up a White Russian.) Rancho relaxo, indeed.
The Nitty Gritty
Make no doubt about it, Sun Ranch has set the barometer for laid-back luxury retreats. In saying that, I’d recommend hiring a car to make the most of the remote in situ. While the helpful Sun Ranch team is gladly on hand to drop visitors into Bangalow via their branded Jeeps, making a trip up to Coopers Shoot without visiting the nearby townships of Byron Bay and Mullumbimby would be amiss. Additionally, this would also allow you to venture out and wallow in the impeccable food scene the Northern Rivers region has to offer—especially given the Sun Ranch food menu consists of pool snacks and shared plates.
The ranch is also a bohemian approach to a luxury resort, with the ranch able to sleep a maximum of 34 people at a time. Not only does this exclusivity ensure the upscale and ‘in the know’ attitude of the property, but ensures all patronages are of a like-minded variety; artistic, eclectic, creative and stylish. The lotus-eaters inclined.
The brains behind Sun Ranch’s operation have dubbed the retreat the “hotel of good times”. Perhaps because appellation has a way of making things have a life of their own, the guaranteed hedonism and in-built hedonism have transformed the newly unveiled establishment into a beating heart of rapture. Welcome to the land of pleasure.
For room rates and more information, visit Sun Ranch’s website.
