July 9, 2020
Mesmerizingly beautiful, Francesca Owen’s photographic work captures the female form suspended in both time and water. Contours of the female body combine with the feeling of not quite floating as her subjects linger just shy of the water’s surface. The result is a calming series of enviable fine art pieces, a few of which we are lucky enough to feature here at The Bower.
June 24, 2020
Byron Bay is known for many things – beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, laidback locals, sustainable lifestyles and celebrity sightings (no trip to Byron is complete without one). But in the last few years, craft distilleries and boutique breweries have been popping up like mushrooms and we’re not one bit sad about it. From cult craft beers to colour-changing gin, Byron’s surrounds have become the Shangri-La of boutique boozing.
June 18, 2020
Is there anything more nostalgia-inducing than loading up the car, throwing on your favourite playlist and indulging in some sugary snacks under the guise of keeping yourself alert? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about the great Aussie road trip! With NSW travel restrictions lifting it’s time to pack up your beach bags and opt for the scenic route. Sure, driving takes a little bit longer than jumping on a flight, but it also promises to […]
April 24, 2020
BYRON SKIES, LIT MAJESTICALLY WITH SHADES OF GOLD, DEEP PINK, RED AND SOFT VIOLET HERALD THE START OF ANOTHER DAY I BEAUTIFUL BYRON BAY. The vast stretch of Pacific Ocean shimmers, the abundance of native bird life starts its morning chatter, and our thoughts turn to the first brew of the day and the choices we’ll make for breakfast. Will it be something scrummy prepped in our own kitchen or a takeaway from one of […]
March 11, 2020
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST IS OF ITS OWN WHEN IT COMES TO CELEBRATING DESIGN AND DESIGNERS, DECORATING IDEAS, CULTURE AND TRAVEL AND ITS INFLUENCE IS FELT THE WORLD OVER. Their latest issue includes a design lover’s guide to Byron Bay, which they’ve stamped as the Montauk of Australia. Nice. They’ve shone a light on a lot of our Byron Bay favs – Spell, Harvest, Nikau Store, Habitat, Locura, the Mez Club and lots more. We love that […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
October 11, 2019
MEET DANELLE. SHE’S THE PROPERTY MANAGER AT THE BOWER AND TOGETHER WITH HER HUSBAND AND THREE GREAT KIDS, HAS LIVED IN BYRON FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. She’s one of the friendly faces who’ll greet you when you arrive and ensure your stay is an unforgettable 5-star experience. “I just love Byron and our amazing environment and get such joy out of sharing my experiences living in and exploring the region with our guests, “ […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 27, 2019
WHAT BETTER WAY TO WELCOME A NEW DAY THAN BEING THE FIRST ON MAINLAND AUSTRALIA TO WITNESS THE SPECTACULAR GIANT GOLDEN ORB THAT IS THE SUN, RISE MAJESTICALLY OVER THE HORIZON. And Katie Elliott from Wild Goat Events makes it simply unforgettable with her award-winning luxury sunrise experience, Toast The Sun, which she hosts from one of the most beautiful spots on our coastline – Cape Byron. It’s a unique celebration of nature and food, […]
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 […]
June 13, 2019
STACEY BURT IS A NEW BYRON LOCAL AND THE FOUNDER OF LITTLE COMPANY, A BOUTIQUE BUSINESS WITH SPACES IN MELBOURNE AND BYRON’S THRIVING INDUSTRIAL AREA, THAT CHALLENGES THE USUAL SALON NORMS AND INDUSTRY CLICHES. They’re spaces where living skin facials are paired with meditation, and tailored at-home skincare routines to achieve beautiful skin, in a sustainable way. She’s a Mum of two little girls (Lex and Stevie), has a staffie called Zizz, and with her […]
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 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 […]
February 8, 2019
TRAVEL MAG, THE GLOBAL CITIZENS BIBLE AND MUSE FOR ALL THINGS TRAVEL, NOMINATED BYRON BAY AS ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN AUSTRALIA. We know it of course and are ever grateful for the abundant gifts Mother Nature has bestowed on our beach paradise and its lush green hinterland. But aside from the sheer beauty of Byron’s beaches, waterfalls, walks and the myriad of experiences on offer to show it off, our […]
February 1, 2019
EVERYONE’S GOT THEIR FAVOURITE. BEACH THAT IS. AND BYRON, RENOWNED AS IT IS THE WORLD OVER FOR ITS LONG STRETCHES OF SAND AND SEA AS WELL AS MORE INTIMATE, SANDY COVES IS NO DIFFERENT. We thought we’d share our local intel on some of our favourites with you and just what it is about them that makes them special, accompanied by some of the stunning imagery from Byron-based photographer, Craig Parry. Craig is an internationally acclaimed and […]
January 18, 2019
WE ALL KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO FIND THE PERFECT SPOT FOR A SWIM ONLY TO FIND EVERYONE ELSE HAS FOUND IT TOO! BYRON’S LONG STRETCHES OF ICONIC SURFING AND SWIMMING BEACHES ARE AN ALMIGHTY MAGNET FOR VISITORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE GLOBE, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER WITH THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE IN NATURE’S WONDERLAND, A LESS POPULATED SPOT FOR A MID-SUMMER DIP COULD BE A BETTER OPTION. So […]
January 11, 2019
THE BEAUTIFUL IMAGES FROM DIMITY, ACCIDENTAL INFLUENCER AND CREATIVE CRAFTER, WHICH CAPTURED HER RECENT STAY AT THE BOWER COTTAGE AND HER TRIPS TO MINYON FALLS, LOCAL BEACHES, THE PASS, KILLEN FALLS IN BYRON’S HINTERLAND AND MORE, WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND OUR STUNNING KIDS SUMMER HOLIDAY EDIT. She found The Bower ‘insanely divine’ and we found the pics of her family, including toddlers Zaeli and Ochre, reveling in a Byron beach holiday, just so delightful that […]
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 19, 2018
ISABELLA PENNEFATHER – OR SPELLY AS SHE’S BETTER KNOWN – IS ONE PART OF THE CLEVER SISTER DUO BEHIND SPELL AND THE GYPSY COLLECTIVE, THE BYRON-BASED FASHION COMPANY WITH A FAN-BASE THAT CROSSES THE GLOBE. MARGOT ROBBIE, CHRISSY TEIGAN, ALLESANDRA AMBROSIA, MILEY CYRUS, CANDICE SWANEPOEL, VANESSA HUDGES, AND BYRON’S MOST FAMOUS LOCAL MUM, ELSA PATAKY ARE ALL RUSTED-ON FANS. While Spell designs tap into that sense of nostalgia, beauty and freedom that so compliments the […]
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, […]
November 16, 2018
AT THE BOWER WE’RE ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS WHEREVER WE CAN AND IT’S EASY WHEN BYRON BAY IS REELING WITH A CREATIVE EXPLOSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HOMEWARES. We shop for hand-woven rugs from Morocco, beautiful plump cushions, richly textured furnishings, one-off door handles and hooks, imposing hand-made timber-framed mirrors, artisan baskets and plant holders, log stools, towels, lamps, aged timber carved doors and shutters, hats, art and so much more right here […]
November 2, 2018
WHO DOESN’T LOVE A COMMUNITY MARKET CHOKKA BLOCK FULL OF ONE-OFF PIECES FROM LOCAL CREATIVES, BASKETS SPILLING OVER WITH JUST-PICKED VEGIES AND EXOTIC FRUITS, THE SMELL OF FRESHLY BAKED ARTISAN LOAVES AND PASTRIES AND FOODIE ENTREPRENEURS SERVING UP THEIR SPECIALTIES WHETHER IT’S SAMOSAS OR HAND-CHURNED GELATO. AND BYRON IS ABUNDANT WITH THEM! In fact there is more than one market on in the area every Saturday and Sunday of the year, with fresh produce markets […]
October 19, 2018
COCKTAILS. SHARP, SWEET, FRUITY, CREAMY, FLORAL, HERBAL, OR DISTINCTLY BOOZY. BYRON IS AWASH WITH THEM AND WITH THIS BEACHSIDE PARADISE, ITS BLUE-SKY DAYS AND BALMY NIGHTS INVITING YOU TO CHILL OUT AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ALL THAT A COASTAL HOLIDAY SHOULD BE, IT’S TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR COCKTAIL LOVERS GUIDE TO BYRON BAY. Along with us, Mel Gubbin, design guru behind the sumptuous fit out of Spell & The Gypsy’s stunning boho fashion boutique, […]
September 9, 2018
Falls Festival tickets went on sale a week ago and if past years are any indication, they’ll sell out fast. So too will accom in Byron, with 25,000+ rusted-on music lovers descending on our coastal paradise, and not everyone wanting to flop into a tent after a day spreading their love across a massive roster of multi-genre live music from local and international artists. For ours, we love our music, but love our 5 star […]
May 30, 2018
GOURMET AND TRAVELLER AND BYRON BAY. THESE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE WORDS AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN BYRON BEACH ABODES’ THE BOWER IS THROWN INTO THE MIX! Gourmet Traveller has created an amazing go-to list for the best of the best to experience not only in luxury accommodation but also what to do, see, eat and visit in Byron Bay in just 24 hours. So loved-up couples or groups of you and your favourite people, it’s time! Time to […]