Western style is having a moment. From Lil Nas X’s debut hit Old Town Road in 2019 and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era to Shaboozey’s breakout single A Bar Song and this generation’s ‘discovery’ of Dolly Parton as not just an exemplar performer but also an all round great human being, cowboy culture has (re)entered the mainstream. With country music no longer relegated to those channels and western style infiltrating our wardrobes (hello cowboy boots and fringed skirts), it’s only natural the influence extends into the lifestyle realm.
A world away from the cowboys of the south and the wild west, on the unspoiled east coast of Australia’s Byron Bay sits Sun Ranch. A marked departure from the five-star coastal resorts promising an abundance of pools to complement the nearby beach and a celebrity sighting (or three) thrown in and the earthy tones and ceramic-laden decor of the numerous boutique hotels that have cropped up over the past decade, Sun Ranch offers up a heady dose of nostalgic Americana.
And it’s here, thousands of kilometres and an ocean (not to mention several decades) away from the glory of the Wild West and the old-school cool Cali ranches, that we find ourselves raising a dram of Yellowstone Bourbon. Sprawled over 55 acres of regenerated farmland in the Byron hinterlands, Sun Ranch proves an apt location for the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s debut down under.
The brainchild of fashion designer Jamie Blakey, founder of One Teaspoon, and interior designer Julia Ashwood, founder of travel platform The Vista, alongside a collective of the duo’s creative and enterprising friends—a motley crew spanning notable names in the arts, design, and fashion fields—Sun Ranch is in no shortage of aesthetic inspiration. Imbuing 1970s Californian ranch style with Southern and Midwestern cowboy influences and a touch of contemporary Spanish style (think warm earthy tones, stucco walls, and organic forms), each space at Sun Ranch makes for an eminently Instagrammable ‘moment’.
After a welcome drink in the Rambler Long House and a very Byron-esque lunch (salads and quinoa aplenty) overlooking the hills), I checked into my poolside suite. Aptly dubbed ‘Saddle Up’, it set the tone for the afternoon’s activities. Along with a select cohort of lifestyle and drinks journalists, I, well…saddled up and mounted Bobby, a grass-obsessed mare whom I proceeded to misgender at least twice during the ride.
Sporting our Yellowstone Bourbon-supplied Carhartt vests, we were treated to a trail ride through the expansive acreage. While the horses were undoubtedly bearing the brunt of the workload here, taking the reins (read: unsuccessfully preventing said horses from snacking on the job) made for thirsty work.
Back at the Whiskey Lounge—a vibrant library-style red room adorned with rattan decor and complete with a turntable and a boastful record selection—we sunk into the plush red velvet lounge to learn about Yellowstone Bourbon. Established in 1872 by the J.B. Dant Distillery, Yellowstone Bourbon has the accolade of being among the oldest continually produced bourbons. Braving both the prohibition—thanks to a savvy medical licence—and the craft-bourbon boom of the new millennium, Yellowstone Bourbon has remained an unwavering go-to for whiskey lovers the world over.
Under the guidance of Stephen Beam—yes, seventh generation distiller and the great-grandnephew of Jacob Beam, founder of the brand that would come to be known as Jim Beam—the distillery’s signature Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a spicy marriage of four- and seven-year-old high-rye bourbons. The rye-heavy mash bill results in a well-rounded bourbon that begins with a hot hit of spicy rye and a slightly grassy herbal note, tempered by notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of citrus.
It works well in a hot toddy, which was our next move, followed by more than a few pre-dinner drams over the fire. The Yellowstone Bourbons kept pouring, paired this time with a family-style meal prepared by our gracious hosts at Sun Ranch. A chocolate mousse teamed with bourbon espresso martini (seriously, try it), a few post-dinner drinks, good—or at least bourbon-fuelled—conversation, and a shared desire to keep the cowboy fantasy playing out just that bit longer led a few of us to attempt to start a logfire back in one of Sun Ranch’s suites. Note: Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey doubles as a pretty good fire starter, though you need a little finesse to actually maintain it.
If the evening was all about a rollicking good time imbibing western style, the following morning took on a decidedly wholesome Byron Bay-approved wellness tone. A cold plunge and a wood burning sauna were on the agenda, with the latter fitted with a picture window looking out onto the fields where our horses from the previous afternoon munched on grass to their hearts’ content. Positively bucolic.
The lowdown: Sun Ranch, Byron Bay
The hook; why stay at Sun Ranch?
For a rollicking good time on a groovy Americana-style ranch a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tell us more
Located in the hinterlands of Byron Bay, Sun Ranch is spread across 55 acres of rolling hills. A melting pot of California, Southern and Midwestern, and Spanish design influences creates an earthy yet maximalist escape laden with vibrant colours, clashing textiles and patterns (think tiger stripes sitting alongside geometric designs), beaded chandeliers, stucco walls, and terracotta flooring. A haven for the design conscious, every corner of Sun Ranch is aesthetically pleasing and crafted as if through the lens of a camera.
How to get to Sun Ranch
Sun Ranch is located in the Coopers Shoot area, which is a 15 minute drive from the heart of Byron Bay and a 20 minute drive from Ballina airport (transfers available upon request). Sun Ranch is ideally placed to explore Bangalow, with the village just two minutes away.
Rooms and suites
In addition to housing the main communal areas (The Lair and the Whiskey Lounge), the Rambler Long House also plays host to four poolside suites—Wam Bam, The Rattler, Getting Lucky, and Saddle Up. Each of these adult-only suites is laced with colour and features a patio which gives guests direct access to the private pool. The six two-bedroom timber barns overlooking the property provide more privacy and are family-friendly, with both these and the one-bedroom private suite equipped with a living room (complete with fireplace), kitchenette, and a spacious bathroom. We’d recommend booking a pool suite during the summer and opting for the cosy private suite or one of the barns during the winter months.
Comfort factor
Beds themselves are plush and comfortable, however the on-theme flax linen sheets stop them err on the rougher side of things. It’s also worth noting that during winter, the water heating system wasn’t quite up to par; both bathroom sink taps ran cold and it took blasting the hot water tap in the shower for a good five minutes to get it to warm up to an acceptable temperature. While the pool suites are the natural choice in the warmer months, the lack of fireplace and unreliable air conditioning (even after changing it, it continued to reset itself to a chilly 23°C) make it a less comfortable option during winter.
Bathroom products?
Bathroom products are by natural New Zealand brand Sans [ceuticals]. Expect to find shampoo, conditioner, and hand and body wash in the shower area, and hand and body wash and body moisturiser by the bathroom sink.
Food and drink
A freshly baked muffin wrapped in a bandana and placed in a cowboy hat greets guests in the morning, should it be too difficult to wait for the complimentary buffet a few steps away. Spread out in The Lair is a make-your-own-plate station abundant with fresh fruit, pastries, sliced avocado, sauerkraut and hummus, tomato and basil salad, eggs, yoghurt (both dairy and coconut, of course), cereals, and bread. The all-day in-house menu comprises snacks like sardines and cheese platters as well as some heartier fare like pasta and lasagne. There’s also a curated range of cocktails and wines on offer. Home-style ranch dinners (like the one we enjoyed) are available on select Fridays, while a few times a year, Sun Ranch will host a guest chef for an outdoor ‘fire feast’ with a seasonal menu for guests and locals alike.
Spa and facilities
There’s no dedicated spa, however there is a cold plunge and wood fired sauna, as well as an outdoor pool and daily morning yoga classes. There’s also a menu of ‘cosmic cowboy’ additions which includes everything from in-room massages to astrology readings. Sun Ranch also has a partnership with Zephyr Horses, with on-site private and group horseriding experiences available.
The service
Friendly and relaxed. Staff are helpful and hospitable, with service delivered without formality or pretention. Food and drinks are ordered via text message and delivered to you, whether at the pool or in your suite.
Sustainability initiatives
Sustainability is built into the fabric of Sun Ranch, rather than a mere addition. The ranch itself was built using environmentally conscious builders and is completely off-grid, powered by solar panels on the main building, on the rooftops of the barns, and on dedicated stations across the property. The property is fed by rainwater, with 16 tanks dotted across the 55 acres. Regenerative planting is also at play, with thousands of native plants and trees planted thus far.
Anything else?
Hmm. Upon your return back to your suite of an evening, you’ll be greeted with a—frankly delicious—warm cookie. Oh, and should you wish to host a private event (think corporate retreat, branded experience, milestone birthday), a full ranch buyout can be arranged.
AR Verdict
Other travel and lifestyle publications will tout Sun Ranch’s rolling hills and idyllic landscape as the main drawcards. And indeed, they’re there. However, Sun Ranch’s unique value lies not in the parcel of land it occupies, but it’s commitment to the bit. For where else—on the east coast of Australia, at least—do you have the unbridled opportunity to don a cowboy hat and live out your western fantasies? A mere hop from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane lies an opportunity to escape the mundanity of urban life and indulge in a little restorative yee-hawing, as well as more conventional restorative activities in the form of a sauna and morning yoga.
Sun Ranch is open for bookings, with prices starting at $700AUD/night with a two-night minimum stay.
Address: 17 Byron Creek Rd, Coopers Shoot, NSW, Australia
Words by T. Angel
Cover image courtesy of Anson Smart for Sun Ranch
