Tiny Outlooks - The Sunseeker - Byron Bay
As the New Zealand winter deepens, so does our desire to escape it. We find ourselves dreaming of warmer waters and slow, sun filled days. Short of heading to the actual tropics this winter, my family and I managed an equally dreamy little escape to Australia’s most eastern point - Byron Bay, Bundjalung Country.
The Sunseeker is the nostalgic reimagining of a 1980s brick motel complex. Owners Jess and Dave Frid have thoughtfully renovated this hideaway into a beautifully designed destination stay with a collection of bungalows and rooms set amongst layered tropical landscaping. The reception area opens out into a common space which feels like a sunken lounge in your most stylish friend’s home. It’s warm and inviting with points of interest at every turn. Sliding doors open to reveal a pool area framed by palms and ferns, creating an instant holiday vibe.
The bungalow we stayed in was ideal for our family of four. The 1.5 bedroom layout included a queen bed and a seperate bunk nook with two singles. All 34 square metres of this tiny stay have been thoughtfully designed and appointed. With warm wood interiors, moody lighting features and earthy tones throughout, it fits The Sunseeker’s description of a cozy, home-like getaway perfectly.
Breakfast started with a visit to the coffee caravan onsite which did not disappoint. Then it was avo on sour dough from The Bread Social (we’d collected the day prior). Sitting at the breakfast bar outside the bungalow... Delish.
Surfboards and bicycles are available to borrow during a stay at The Sunseeker.
Outdoor swimming and lounging at this time of year isn’t generally an option back home, so we made the most of the sub tropical poolside vibes during our stay. Painterly shadows adorned the red concrete surrounding the pool as the sun projected through the palm trees overhead. Shimmery patterns of light danced across the water and we soaked it all in.
The Cape Byron lighthouse is iconic and definitely worth the little hike. Walking the cape tracks offered expansive views of the headland and surrounding coastlines. Along the eastern face, steep cliffs drop down to an exposed rocky shoreline. Beyond this, golden sand beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. During our coastal walk, my daughter got her wish to see a native animal in the wild. We looked on as a wallaby casually ate grass alongside the walkway next to the bush-line and seemed totally unfazed by its gathering fans.
Our stay at The Sunseeker was a beautiful taster of this famed region. During our short time in Byron Bay, between the four of us we surfed Wategos, skated the park, walked the beaches and conservational area, visited the shops, read books, took photos, swam and lounged by the pool, watched sunsets and sampled eateries. Sigh… I’m already dreaming about our next visit.
To book your stay at The Sunseeker Byron Bay, head to https://thesunseeker.com.au
Renovation Architectural design / builders – Balanced Earth
Landscape architecture / landscape builders – Land Company