Suffolk Park: Discover Byron Bay's laid-back and friendly coastal neighbour

You don’t have to give up your high-flying executive career to live a brilliantly low-key lifestyle by the beach within cooee of Byron Bay. Sandra Hook and David McGonigal are living proof.

Hook, an independent company director and McGonigal, a travel writer and Antarctic expedition leader, bought a house in Suffolk Park in 2019.

While initially planning to spend holidays there, the COVID lockdowns saw the couple moving in for months at a time – and loving it.

Coastal culture

While drawn to Suffolk Park for its beachside locale, neighbourly vibe and proximity to two airports, Hook says one of the best discoveries has been the Byron Shire’s cultural cachet.

“[This is a great place to live] if you want some of the culture without all of the hassles,” says Hook.

“Having a corporate life here, I get all of the cultural benefits without the big city attitude. People stop and say hello, we know the neighbours and people don’t beep [their horns]!”

With a calendar chock-full of art, music and literary events, the Byron Shire has attracted sea-changers and retirees in ever-increasing numbers, with Suffolk Park offering the quiet life a five-minute drive from the Byron town centre.

“It feels more like the beach town that we remember from our youth,” says McGonigal.

“It’s a lot more relaxed than Byron; not as hectic.”

McGonigal and Hook have made many friends, including plenty of the canine variety.

“One of the joys of Suffolk Park is that Tallow Beach, located between the two national parks, is a dog-friendly beach,” McGonigal says.

“So, if you go down in the early morning or late afternoon everyone is down there with their dogs and we’ve made all sorts of dog-based friendships.”

McGonigal says the town covers all the basics with a Spar supermarket, a selection of restaurants, a local pub and a renowned bakery with tasty pies and top coffee.

Friendly faces

McGrath Byron Bay agent Ian Daniels has lived in the suburb for 25 years and says it’s the kind of place where you can happily get around on foot.

“You can walk to the beach and the shops and when you walk around you know everyone,” he says.

“Everyone who has come up here has made a conscious decision to change their lifestyle for the better, so the area is full of like-minded people.”

Daniels says the influx of city folk has put pressure on the limited supply of homes.

“People have moved up from Sydney during COVID planning to stay for three weeks and they’ve stayed for years. Others are constructing new homes with no plans to sell, so that’s why the market has tightened up so much.”

One to watch

It’s just 100 metres to Tallow Beach from this bright family home, which boasts a saltwater pool set within tropical gardens.

The two-storey property also comes with DA approval for an extension.

McGrath Byron Bay’s Ian Daniels is selling the home with a guide of $3.85 million-$4.15 million.

SOLD - $3,850,000

30 Beachside Drive, Suffolk Park NSW 2481

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