OUR BLOG
February 24, 2020
AUSSIE SURFER AND SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION STEPHANIE GILMOUR HAS SALT WATER RUNNING THROUGH HER VEINS. SHE’S GRACEFUL, SKILFUL, AND HAS A DEEP APPRECIATION OF ONE OF THE STRONGEST FORCES ON THE PLANET – THE OCEAN. “The ocean has to be the strongest natural force on the planet, right? It’s where you recharge the batteries,’ says Stephanie. “We’re all solar-powered and when you put sunlight on top of all the motion you get in the ocean, […]
February 20, 2020
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, AT THE BOWER WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN, AND OF COURSE ISSUES OF SUSTAINABILITY ARE ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF MIND WHEN IT COMES TO INTERPRETING OUR INITIAL CONCEPTS INTO THE REAL THING. As our architect extraordinaire John Burgess points out, “The construction industry is a massive consumer of resources and once completed, buildings continue to be reliant on materials and resources for their occupants’ comfort and the structure’s […]
February 13, 2020
FROM 6000 VISITORS WHEN IT KICKED OFF IN 1990 TO MORE THAN 100,000 NOW, THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING BLUESFEST THAT IS SO SYNONYMOUS WITH BYRON CULTURE, WILL AGAIN SHOWCASE THE BIGGEST NAMES IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACTS ACROSS 5/1/2 DAYS FOR ITS 31ST YEAR. For lots Easter just wouldn’t be the same without the annual pilgrimage to the 120-acre Tyagarah Tree Farm which plays host to more than 100 food and market stalls, licensed bars, […]
February 1, 2020
TAHITI, BORA BORA, TULUM, TURKEY, GREECE, PORTUGAL, MOROCCO, PERU, THE MALDIVES. Just some of the exotic places Sarah, aka Salty Luxe, has spent time visiting and photographing in the past few years, usually with her long-term partner Chesh at her side. Home is Byron Bay but she’s a travel addict, a sunshine-filled creative, who wants to unlock the wanderlust in all of us with her luxury, tropical-vibe travel blog. Her imagery balances beautifully her authentic […]
January 24, 2020
CONVENIENCE. WE WANT IT. WE NEED IT TO MANAGE THE TIME DEFICIT IN OUR LIVES THIS CRAZILY BUSY WORLD SEEMS TO PRODUCE. But convenience comes at a cost to our planet and lots of it is food related. Whether it’s the single use plastics our foods are wrapped in, the bags we take it home in, the excessive quantities we put in the bin because we bought too much, left it too long or didn’t […]
January 18, 2020
WE RECKON THE START TO 2020 HAS MADE MOST OF US RETHINK OUR PRIORITIES AND OF COURSE FIRST PRIORITY HAS TO BE OUR ENVIRONMENT DOESN’T IT AS MUCH AS WE’RE ALSO AWARE OF THE MASSIVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY TOO. And that spins off into so many other elements when we look deep into our commitment to live, work and play in a truly sustainable way. It’s made us think more about fashion […]
January 11, 2020
AUSTRALIA HAS HAD A TOUGH START TO 2020 AND IT’LL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE IT’S LIFE AS USUAL FOR SO MANY. THE IMPACT OF THESE TERRIBLE FIRES WILL BE FELT ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR YEARS TO COME, AWITH THE FINAL COST TO PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES, THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR UNIQUE WILDLIFE YET TO BE TALLIED. AND WE’VE STILL GOT MORE OF SUMMER TO COME. We all know it could have been so much worse without […]
December 18, 2019
THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH SETTLING IN AROUND THE TV FOR A BIT OF SHARED VIEWING. WE’VE ALREADY NOTCHED UP ANOTHER LOOK AT LOVE ACTUALLY AND SUMMER’S JUST BEGUN! But we’re also addicted to board games, outdoor games, adults-only games and giant versions of familiar favs. It’s about having screen-free time with family and friends, old and young alike. Top of the list are some old-school classics such as Monopoly – or check out it’s newer […]
December 17, 2019
WOW DID THIS YEAR FLY! IT SEEMS JUST A MINUTE AGO WE WERE LIST-MAKING, CAREFULLY CRAFTING OUR FESTIVE MENUS, PLANNING CATCH-UPS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND WONDERING HOW WE CAN MAKE EACH WEEK NINE DAYS LONG IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS. It’s always crazy busy but it’s a time of year The Bower team absolutely loves. Then before you know it it’s New Years Eve and let’s face it, it’s all about party, party, […]
December 15, 2019
YOU LOVED THE SWIMWEAR EDIT WE CURATED FOR YOU LAST YEAR AND KNOW YOU’LL LOVE THIS ONE TOO. We’ve kept selections from some of our favourite brands such as independent Aussie label Zulu and Zephyr and Zimmerman (of course). Then we’ve added classics such as Country Road and brands that have bewitched us with their designs throughout the year such as Saint Somebody, The Fold, Monday Swimwear from super-influencers Tash and Devon Brugman, and PE […]
December 7, 2019
SUMMER IS HERE. MOVE OVER SPRING WHEN WE ALL SEEM TO GO NUTS OVER REORGANISING, RENEWING, RE-DOING. Now most of us are consumed with holiday planning (pssst….Byron and The Bower and its breathtaking mineral pool and ever-so smart Garden Bar are waiting for you), choosing new swimwear, updating the summer playlists, must-read books and podcasts. A summer beauty overhaul is usually on the cards too and it should be more than sticking to the old […]
November 27, 2019
Katie from Wild Goat Events has put together for us her tips and tricks for producing the best grazing platters ever, and there’s no doubt a scrummy, mouth-watering grazing platter is an essential element to a Byron Bay Summer holiday. Her platters are a symphony of tastes, colours and textures and for ours are best enjoyed poolside at The Bower (simply order one to be delivered to your room), or as part of a picnic […]
November 12, 2019
FIRST AND FOREMOST THE BOWER TEAM IS ALL ABOUT PROVIDING THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE LUXURY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES IN THE BYRON REGION. OF COURSE WE GET AN INSTANT LEG UP WHEN BYRON HAS SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BEACHES, SURFING AND SWIMMING SPOTS, WALKS AND HIKES, PRISTINE, ANCIENT FORESTS, LUSH GREEN HINTERLANDS, THE CLEAN, CLEAR PACIFIC OCEAN IS OUR EASTERLY BOUNDARY AND THE CLIMATE IS, WELL PERFECT! At the same time we’re absolutely committed to doing […]
October 31, 2019
IN A STATELY HERITAGE-LISTED BUILDING IN THE GORGEOUS BYRON HINTERLAND VILLAGE OF BANGALOW IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER SHOP. It assaults the senses in every which way when you walk through the door. It’s the sweet, sweet fragrances, the visual abundance of colour, shapes and textures, the feel of soft, velvety leaves that invite a sneaky touch as you walk past and so much more. The Flower Bar Bangalow is one of The Bower’s top […]
September 28, 2019
VOGUE HAS A BIT OF A LOVE AFFAIR WITH BYRON BAY SO IT’S LITTLE WONDER THEY’VE SINGLED IT OUT AS THE PLACE TO GO TO CREATE FABULOUS FAMILY HOLIDAY MEMORIES. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LONG STRETCHES OF PRISTINE BEACH, THE CLEAR BLUE OCEAN AND THE CALM WATERS OF BRUNSWICK RIVER AND SIMPSONS CREEK, WHERE YOU CAN LEARN TO SURF, KAYAK, STAND UP PADDLEBOARD OR TAKE YOUR FIRST FORAY INTO JUST LEARNING TO SWIM. Then there […]
September 18, 2019
MORE AND MORE THE SPEED OF LIFE SEEMS TO HAVE OUR SCHEDULES PACKED TO OVERFLOWING MAKING A BREAK AWAY ALL THAT MORE IMPORTANT IN TRYING TO ACHIEVE SOME MUCH-NEEDED BALANCE IN OUT LIVES. And when we do get away, we don’t want to undo all the good things we’ve put in place to keep us healthy, happy and fit throughout the rest of the year. No-one enjoys that tired old post-holiday reality of having to […]
September 5, 2019
WE KNOW THE BOWER’S SENSUAL ROUND SWIMMING POOL, SURROUNDED BY ITS LUSH GREEN OASIS OF TOWERING PALMS AND BEAUTIFULLY TEXTURED FOLIAGE IS SPECIAL. NOW AUSTRALIA’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS SWIMMING POOL AND SPA AWARDS, THE SPASA AUSTRALIA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE, HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IT TOO WITH OUR POOL WINNING THE COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR SUNCATCHER POOL WHO CONSTRUCTED BOWER POOL. Like everything we do at The Bower, it was a team effort starting with the […]
August 26, 2019
THERE’S SUPER EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AT THE BOWER WITH NEW LUXURY ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS BEING BUILT AS WE TYPE. THE DETAILS ARE STILL A LITTLE HUSH-HUSH, BUT WHAT WE CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THEIR DESIGN IS PUSHING THE BOWER BOUNDARIES. There’ll be lots of sophisticated new elements blended perfectly with our signature aesthetic and the new accoms are just steps away from The Bower’s heated mineral pool oasis. All will have our fab new mini-bar […]
August 24, 2019
PLASTIC-FREE JULY GOT US THINKING. MOST OF US ARE WELL AND TRULY ACROSS THE DAMAGE PLASTICS – PARTICULARLY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS LIKE IN SHOPPING BAGS, WATER BOTTLES, COFFEE CUPS AND STRAWS – ARE INFLICTING ON OUR PLANET, AND ALL OF US WANT TO DO OUR BIT TO MAKE CHANGE. Changing our habits around the Big 4 is easy – a tote bag for the shopping, reusable water bottles, reusable straws and reusable coffee cups. Tick. But […]
August 16, 2019
THE BOWER MAY WELL HAVE STARTED LIFE AS A LAID-BACK 60’S BEACH MOTEL BUT ALONG WITH TRANSFORMING IT INTO STUNNING, LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOLIDAY ACCOMM, WE’VE ALSO SAID GOODBYE TO THE TYPICAL MINI-BAR AND PUT IN PLACE AN EXCITING, HAND-PICKED SELECTION OF THE FINEST WINE, SPIRITS, ALCOHOL-FREE BEVVIES AND NIBBLES. We’ve taken our time to create something really special and it will continue to evolve as we add in new selections from brands that inspire us […]
July 18, 2019
OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH LINEN IS A FOREVER AND ALWAYS THING. AND THERE CAN NEVER BE TOO MUCH OF IT IN OUR BOOK. On sofas, chairs, curtains, cushions, pillows throws, bed linen, robes, towels, clothes. Linen’s the answer. We love its raw texture, its unique earthiness and ability to reflect the colours of nature that surround us – charcoals, olives, creamy whites, the many colours of sand, and the pale greens, ochres and softest greys […]
July 12, 2019
WE’RE PRETTY SELECTIVE AT THE BOWER. IT’S AN ETHOS SHARED BY ADAM MILLER FROM COVERT WINE CO WHOSE MANTRA IS BEING BOLD ENOUGH TO STRAY FROM THE MAINSTREAM, BUT ALWAYS WITH THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERY DECISION. He looks to unearth cracking wines from smaller, boutique and artisanal producers that are not necessarily on everyone’s lips and that offer great value for money. He prefers to go direct to the producer, winery […]
July 5, 2019
SO MONEY’S A BIT TIGHT, THE PASSPORTS HAVE EXPIRED, THE BOSS JUST WON’T LET YOU DISAPPEAR FOR A FEW DAYS OR THE KIDS HAVE SO MANY PLAYDATES AND SPORTS COMMITMENTS LINED UP THAT YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY CONTEMPLATE A BREAK AWAY. THAT MAKES IT STAYCATION TIME. Time to play tourist in your own region and create an itinerary of fab things to do, just like you would if you were hoofing it to Paris or Perth […]
June 20, 2019
THE URBAN LIST, THE ONLINE HOME OF URBAN CULTURE IN AUSTRALIA, COVERING ALL THINGS WORTH KNOWING FROM FOOD AND DRINK TO MUSIC, STYLE, TRAVEL, HEALTH AND BEAUTY, HAS PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF THEIR BEST BARS IN BYRON BAY. THERE ARE LOTS MORE OF COURSE, BUT THIS LIST REPRESENTS SOME OF THE NEWEST IN TOWN AND ARE SOME OF OUR FAVES TOO. Chilling out in Byron just has to include a bar hop at some […]
May 23, 2019
WHO DOESN’T LOVE A GOOD, LAZY CHILLED NIGHT IN – EVEN WHEN YOU’RE AWAY ON HOLIDAY. AND OUR GO-TO? SOME FINE FOOD, A GOOD GLASS OF WINE AND A WHOLE LOT OF NETFLIX BINGING! It’s the quickest way to drop into the Cosy Up, Slow Down, Chill Out Zone which, truth be known, isn’t too hard when you’re in the iconic coastal beach holiday haven of Byron Bay. And when in Byron, it’s The Bower’s […]
May 17, 2019
WHALE-WATCHING SEASON IS SHAPING UP TO BE THE BEST EVER, WITH WHALES ALREADY MOVING UP THE COAST ON THEIR ANNUAL MIGRATION TO THEIR WARMER, TROPICAL BIRTHING GROUNDS. And where’s the best place to see them? Byron Bay of course, which is now regarded as one of the world’s top spots to see these majestic creatures up close. It’s where you’ll witness the spectacle of thousands of Humpback whales on their 2500 km journey from their […]
March 31, 2019
ACCORDING TO BELINDA KIRWOOD, ONE PART OF THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND MULTI-AWARD WINNING BEACHFRONT RESTAURANT, CAFE AND COCKTAIL HOT-SPOT, BEACH BYRON BAY, “THERE’S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT BYRON BAY AND THE CALIBRE OF BANDS IT ATTRACTS THAT INCLUDE SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL MUSIC. THERE’S ALWAYS SOMEONE GOOD PLAYING, FROM THE BIG ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVALS TO THE MANY LIVE MUSIC VENUES IN THE AREA. AND WE COULDN’T AGREE MORE. Just around the […]
March 21, 2019
WHO DOESN’T LOVE A FRIEND WHO’S PASSIONATE ABOUT GOOD FOOD, CAN DESIGN AMAZING RECIPES AROUND IT AND COOK IT? Well that’s Taliah Lowry’s mate, celebrated foodie Jody Vassallo, whose CV of the people she’s worked with reads like a Who’s Who of culinary superstars and includes the likes of Donna Hay, Jamie Oliver and Bill Granger. She’s also an author, food writer, stylist, yoga teacher, Ayurvedic health coach (and loves stylish living) and her latest […]
March 13, 2019
FOR US, HOLIDAYS ARE ALL ABOUT RELAXING, TAKING TIME TO REFRESH, RENEW, ENJOY. AND FOR US IT STARTS WITH A SIMPLE MAKEUP ROUTINE. One that takes you easily from beach to restaurant. That delivers you from under a blue-sky Byron day and hours in the ocean at one of Byron’s famous beaches, or lazing beside The Bower’s beautiful round pool, to one of Byron’s fab new restaurants or bars. And of course it’s all about […]
February 27, 2019
COFFEE’S A THING IN BYRON. ACTUALLY ITS A THING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NOW AND IT’S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT WE’VE ACTUALLY BECOME THE COFFEE SNOBS OF THE WORLD! We want our coffee distinctive and memorable. We like it single origin but we’re also partial to blends with unique characteristics that give us the option to change up our order on any particular day. We want choices whether it’s a double shot of intense espresso or […]
February 14, 2019
GREAT FOOD + GREAT DESTINATIONS = UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAYS. It’s the very best equation in our book, and few do it better than Gourmet Traveller which always delivers new inspiration for us on where to eat, drink and travel. January’s issue served up a food lovers guide to Byron Bay which includes some well-established favourites as well as lots of the exciting new eating and drinking experiences to be had in our coastal, beach paradise. They […]
December 28, 2018
THE BOWER LOVES WELCOMING FAMILIES TO ITS PRIVATE, LUXURY OASIS AND SO IT WAS WITH CREATIVE INFLUENCER AND MUM, DIMITY, HER HUSBAND MIKE AND PERFECTLY GORGEOUS DAUGHTERS ZAELI (4), AND BABY OCHRE WHO HAD HER FIRST BIRTHDAY WHILE THE FAMILY HOLIDAYED IN THE BOWER COTTAGE RECENTLY. Dimity is an accidental influencer, whose sublime creativity, passion for turning the everyday into something bespoke and beautiful, a deep appreciation of nature and the need to preserve it, […]
December 12, 2018
WE. LOVE. CHRISTMAS. THE INEVITABLE CHAOS IT BRINGS – THE DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO FIT IN CATCH UPS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TIMETABLED EARLIER, THE PLANNING, THE PREPPING, THE LAST MINUTE CHORES AND THE MIDNIGHT WRAPPING AND CARD WRITING – IS ALWAYS WORTHWHILE WHEN IT FINALLY COMES TO SIT DOWN AND CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS TOGETHER. For Taliah, Bower owner/creative, Danelle, our property manager extraordinaire, and Georgia, our marketing and communications creative, it’s all about family and friends, […]
December 11, 2018
A CHRISTMAS TABLE LADEN WITH TRADITIONAL FAVOURITES AND SOME JUST-DISCOVERED NEW RECIPES IS SUCH PURE DELIGHT SO WE THOUGHT WE’D SHARE A FEW OF THE TASTY TREATS THAT’LL BE GRACING THE BOWER TEAM’S TABLES ON THE DAY. From The Bower’s owner/creative there’s a super moist Rosewater and Pistachio Cake with hints of Summer freshness provided by pomegranate, mint and lemon. It’s a recipe from her dear friend, Jody Vassallo, food stylist, recipe writer and author, […]
October 26, 2018
SWIMWEAR MUST-HAVES ARE AT TOP OF MIND WHEN THE SUN AND THE SEA AND BLUE BYRON SKIES HERALD THE START OF THE MOST DELICIOUS TIME OF YEAR IN OUR COASTAL PARADISE. AND THIS SEASON’S LOOK IS A DELIGHTFUL COMBO OF FLIRTY, ROMANTIC, EYE-CATCHING STATEMENTS IN ITSY BITSY BIKINIS AS WELL AS SLEEK ONE PIECES TO SWIM IN, SURF IN, OR CATCH SOME SUN. THERE ARE STYLES TO BEST SHOW OFF THE PERFECTLY TONED BODY AND […]
October 8, 2018
We at The Bower love food. We love it fresh, we love it local, we love it seasonal. We love shopping at our local markets and the Mullumbimby market is just one that is fabulous for the freshest of local produce. We also love that Byron’s abundance of fresh and exotic produce is attracting a whole lot of new and exciting foodies to the area, most sharing a paddock to plate ethos, and all celebrating […]
September 21, 2018
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSIC AND MEMORY IS A POWERFUL ONE. IT’S BEEN CALLED A MUSIC REMINISCENCE BUMP AND HAS AN UNCANNY WAY OF BRINGING US BACK INSTANTLY TO A SPECIFIC POINT IN TIME. IT’S WHY THE BOWER TEAM HAS CREATED THE ULTIMATE SPRING PLAYLIST FOR YOU, AND WILL FOREVER BE THE TRIGGER FOR A RAFT OF MEMORIES FROM YOUR UNFORGETTABLE BYRON BAY GETAWAY. We’ve got The Bower pool sorted for you – magnificently. Sparkling clear, […]