There are daybeds made from repurposed timber as well as sun loungers and floral and leopard print umbrellas from Byron Bay label, Sunday Supply Co.
As inviting as the scene is, it’s a little chilly for a dip so we’re happy to drink bubbles and eat cheese in the communal space.
James, a designer by trade, tells me he ran clubs and bars in Sydney’s Bondi before opting for a tree change with his wife Stella, with whom he created and runs Blackbird with, and their two young children.
They purchased the land in late 2016 and moved into the modest but character-filled home on the property and set about building a unique bed and breakfast for couples looking to relax and reset in style.
Blackbird officially opened on Christmas Eve in 2018, and has already been a hit with discerning travellers seeking alternative destinations with a point of difference. Looking around, I tell James I have never stayed at a property quite like it - sleek and design-led with the warmth and charm of a country retreat.
We admire the chunky timber sleepers as well as the hardwood touches in the reception area, which James tells me was originally part of the property’s old banana shed. He and Stella repurposed the timber, along with the rusty tin roofing sheets to reduce the carbon footprint of the build and also retain the property’s character and history.
After our glass of Champagne and welcome cheeseboard, James shows us to our pavilion, one of three detached rooms at Blackbird.
With cacti, native succulents, small boulders and white gravel, I’d feel as though I was in the Arizona desert if not for the acres of verdant rainforest surrounding us and the spectacular views of Cape Byron and the Pacific Ocean.
Constructed from concrete, corten steel, timber sleepers and glass, our pavilion is fitted out with the latest environmentally sustainable energy saving solar system with Telsa Batteries for air-conditioning and hot water.
Inside, there are burnished concrete floors and a benchtop with a beautiful reclaimed timber top, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
James and Stella have left us a complimentary bottle of Shiraz, a block of organic chocolate and another cheeseboard in the small fridge.
The bathroom to the right boasts Moroccan-style tiles and a shower with a naked copper showerhead and tapwear.
There’s a wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom and foyer and the king-sized bed looks out over the rolling hills. On the TV cabinet is a star gazing book should guests wish to observe the night sky, and a small TV although guests are encouraged to completely switch off.
Glass doors lead to an outdoor terrace, the perfect spot for sundowners.
Guests are welcome to cook their own food or head out to the nearby townships of Mullumbimby or Byron Bay for dinner. After a long lunch in Byron prior to our arrival, we are still full and opt to enjoy a glass of red and the cheeseboard and make the most of Blackbird.
The following morning after an extraordinary sunrise, James and Stella provide homemade and locally sourced goodies for breakfast in the communal space and serve a decent coffee.
They seem genuinely delighted to share their property with visitors from all over the world and, as I look out across the infinity pool at the Pacific Ocean in the distance with the warm winter sun on my face, I couldn’t be happier they did.
https://www.blackbirdbyron.com.au