A sweet escape has never looked better to a drained soul clawing their way to the end of the year. And Byron Bay's first ever ultra luxury retreat, Sun Ranch, may be the most beautiful restorative haven we’ve ever laid eyes on — and Byron has a lot of gorgeous accommodation options.
Sun Ranch is a paradisiacal experience. Owned by coupled James and Sophie Rapper, there's a certain sense of cool about this stay that's unlike any other. It’s like a summer’s day on a Californian farm in the ‘70s reimagined for the Byron Bay Hinterlands. Sprawling across 55 acres of rolling hills and lush greenery, checking into this getaway feels like you’re stepping onto a movie set.
The micro retreat has just 11 accommodation options, so you’re not going to be fighting with other guests over who gets to use the badminton court (yes, there’s a badminton court) or who claimed the pool chair first. In fact, the five suites in The Rambler Long House are kitted out with their own private pool rooms.
Otherwise, there are six off-grid, two-bedroom timber barns that perfectly balance vintage retro nostalgia with Western charm.
And while it’s perfectly justifiable to wanna hole up in your room for your stay (they’re practically heaven on Earth), Sun Ranch’s main attraction is the communal spaces. The Lair is a moody sunken lounge that invites guests to socialise, swap stories and soak up the vibes. Right next to the bar, you’ll find The Whiskey Lounge, a cosy spot to sit and listen to spinning vinyls as the night winds down.
The Pool Club is the star of the show. A natural basalt stone 25-metre infinity pool sits pretty on the hillside overlooking rolling pastures and scattered trees dotting the horizon.
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During your stay, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in unique experiences like breathwork classes and sound healing ceremonies to horseback riding with Zephyr Horses. And if you don’t fancy getting on the back of a horse, you can still trot on over to say good morning to the gorgeous bunch in the nearby paddock.
There’s a captivating magic surrounding Sun Ranch that’s unlike any other retreat we’ve experienced. From dining al fresco in The Field as the sun sets to the restorative days spent lounging by the pool, or taking the short drive to the accompanying town of Bangalow, every moment here feels like a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe deeply, and return to nature.
You can book your stay at Sun Ranch here (minimum two nights required).
Image credit: Anson Smart Photography
