Byron’s not a place normally synonymous with cowboys but that’s about to change with the arrival of its latest hotel, Sun Ranch. The refined rodeo-themed escape in the rolling hinterland has been dreamt up by a team of Aussie creatives, and has swung open its door this month.

Sprawled across a 55-acre estate in the Coopers Shoot area, Sun Ranch sits within fifteen minutes of Byron Bay, nudging Bangalow. Dubbed ‘the hotel of good times’ the boutique space sleeps just 34 at a time across its cluster of buildings, each as easy on the eyes as the next. And takes plenty of inspiration from the design-focused California ranch houses of the 1970s, wholeheartedly embracing both cowboy themes and 70s colours and textures.

Design focus

Sun Ranch is a collaborative project from a group of Aussie hospitality, fashion, and musical talent. Its team includes One Teaspoon founder Jamie Blakey, and Julia Ashwood, who helped to dress fellow Byron hotel The Sunseeker. Then there’s her partner Matt Rabbidge of the Mosey On Inn Group, the team behind Byron sensations Ciao Mate!, The Eltham and You Beauty, musician Mylee Grace, and PE Nation co-founder Claire Tregoning, among more.

It’s Jamie Blakey and Julia Ashwood who led the design – which has been self-described as a combination of the charm of a bygone spaghetti western era with modern elegance. It’s eclectic but doesn’t veer into novelty territory. Earthy tones mingle with textures aplenty, rooms are filled with vintage furniture, artwork, and funky fabrics. Instagrammable is an understatement. 

Says Julia: “The spaces we have created here on the ranch push boundaries. Luxury finishes go hand-in-hand with unexpected interiors, carefully sourced from vintage merchants and markets Internationally.”

“We’ve created a place that we hope really inspires our guests,” continues Jamie. “From the moment you come through the gates, you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere different. 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.”

A ranch like no other

Sun Ranch sleeps 34 in total. Its key homestead is a five room luxury guest house called The Rambler Longhouse, with an additional six two-bedroom barns for those craving privacy. It’s not short of an amenity or two either. There’s The Pool Club, a 25-metre hillside pool, and Stoney Ridge, where giant boulders and a fire pit intended for meditation or celebration sit. There’s the self-explanatory Badminton Club, outdoor dining space (complete with Argentinian BBQ) The Field House, a dam and wood-fired floating sauna combination which caters to 10 guests at a time. A sunken lounge within the guest house is named The Lair, there’s drinking den The Whiskey Lounge, and not forgetting The Rambler Longhouse’s private house pool. 

Food over fire

Ways to spend the day are equally unlimited. Take part in a horse ride across the property, or lean into the Cosmic Cowboy experiences, which include cacao ceremonies, sound healing and astrology. Not to mention the immersive edible offerings on site – led by chef Pip Sumbak. Favouring food over fire, and homegrown ingredients, Sumbak takes care of communal breakfast, lunch, dinner and fireside feasts for guests, with the potential for pop-up dining experiences, and special events throughout a given stay.

“I’ve always enjoyed creating immersive, food experiences and Sun Ranch  is an experience driven accommodation,” says Pip. “I’d like the food to be curated with the same kind of care and detail that Jules and Jamie have put into every aspect of the place. It’s a very fun theme and we plan to make the food very unique and playful.”

Sun Ranch is available for bookings now. There’s a two night minimum in rooms with the added bonus of a full ranch buyout. Just don’t forget your cowboy boots. 

For more information or to book, visit sunranch.com.au

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