Sun Ranch hotel in Byron Bay for sale with price guide over $20m
Nestled in the Byron Bay hinterland, where green rolling hills and vast blue skies appear straight out of a Yellowstone scene, Sun Ranch emerges as a sun-kissed sweet escape, affectionately nicknamed “the hotel of good times”.
In 2021, Jamie Blakey and Julia Ashwood, bonded by years of friendship and creative synergy, discovered this 22-hectare gem while scrolling through property listings on their home turf, the Northern Rivers. They saw not just land but potential – an expanse that once grazed cattle but screamed for something more.
Together with other close friends, they formed an investment group, combining their backgrounds in hospitality, fashion, and advertising to create a luxury hinterland haven.
“We drew inspiration from the vibrancy of 1970s California, the rustic charm of spaghetti westerns, and the warmth of Mexican and Spanish designs,” explains Blakey, the former creative director and founder of fashion label One Teaspoon. “Our unconventional approach to design is infused with Byron’s laid-back spirit, though steering clear of the tired all-white schemes to embrace a bold and fun aesthetic.”
Within less than three years, their vision materialised into a breathtaking estate, accommodating up to 34 guests across thoughtfully designed spaces.
The Rambler Long House, facing north, features four lavish rooms with private pool access from their patios, high ceilings, mini-bars, and en suite bathrooms. Separately, there’s also a self-contained, one-bedroom Private Suite. Meanwhile, further up on a ridge, the Sun Ranch Barns offer six chic two-bedroom timber barns, operating entirely off-grid and aligning with their commitment to sustainability.
“I’m sitting in one of these barns as we speak,” says Ashwood, a Byron native, travel writer, and co-owner of Eltham Hotel. “The views make you feel like you’re on top of the world, surrounded by ancient figs and sprawling gums. It’s hard to tell at times that I’m only five minutes from home in Bangalow.”
On the grounds, there are all sorts of peaceful pockets to explore. The Pool Club, perched on the hillside, offers a 25-metre pool with thatched umbrellas and bleacher-style seats, reminiscent of the Bondi Icebergs Pool. Blakey and Ashwood share memories of running around the estate searching for the perfect pool location, ultimately choosing a spot with stunning north-eastern vistas.
“I remember how exciting it was to watch the Pool Club come to life,” says Blakey. “Just as fun as it was taking our inaugural dip.”
Other frills include the Field House, a host of magical meals and Fire Feasts, equipped with an Argentinian barbecue, plus an open-air kitchen fire pit. The Go Easy Dam is also a wellness space with an ice bath and a cedar wood-fired floating sauna.
Before its official opening in September 2023, Blakey celebrated her birthday at Sun Ranch, allowing them to enjoy the property while having 30-odd loved ones test the intricacies of running a hinterland hotel.
“Sun Ranch is truly a nature’s playground – whether you’re visiting as a couple or with 34 of your nearest and dearest,” says Ashwood. “Each day, you’re waking up to a private acreage, glossy black cockatoos flying over the pool, riding horses, dining under the stars with local wines, and watching incredible sunsets at the Stoney Ridge fire pit.”
A closer look at Sun Ranch affirms its co-owner’s exquisite tastes and creative prowess. The Lair, a sunken lounge in The Rambler Long House, invites guests to gather around a striking sculptural fireplace amid one-off furnishings and artisanal touches, from commissioned lighting by Lana Launay to ceramics by Lisa Lapointe.
“We took a buying trip to the States, finding treasures in and around Los Angeles, then down to Mexico, and shipped a large container back, which arrived after 10 months,” Blakey laughs. “Many of our favourite pieces, including artworks, personality chairs, and the timber carvings found in the Cowboy Bar, were found during this trip.”
Speaking of the bar, this is the first port of call when guests enter the Ranch, where “every rancher receives an icy cold beer or salty margarita upon arrival”. One of artist Nathan Pickering’s hand-painted signs can be spotted here; the same goes for the timber sign that marks the property’s entrance, paying homage to classic ranch gates.
These unique and fun details place Sun Ranch in a league of its own. Earning every bit of the limelight it basks in, from Vogue Living being the first of many to cover their launch to, more recently, GQ naming them one of “The Most Stylish Hotels on The Planet”.
Now, just five months post-launch, and after much unsolicited interest from around the globe, the group has placed Sun Ranch on the market, inviting expressions of interest. With an initial price guide of over $20 million, a recent comparable sale is The Range estate’s $37 million record-setting sale, also in Coopers Shoot.
“We’re open to selling the entire estate, but equally happy to expand and go forward with an investment group to forge the Sun Ranch brand wider, around Australia, and beyond,” says Ashwood. “We believe we have created something very special and are excited about whatever the next chapter may bring.”
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