Elements of Byron is a 5-star resort on Bundjalung Country, set across 50 acres of beachfront rainforest just ten minutes from Byron Bay. Opened in 2016, it’s a place where nature, luxury and sustainability aren’t competing interests. Karryon’s Matt Leedham checks in for a father-son staycation with his ten-year-old.
People come to Byron Bay for all kinds of reasons. Relaxation. Adventure. A selfie with Chris Hemsworth. A deeper connection with nature or, indeed, to find their spirit animal. But whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or you’re still figuring it out, the pull of this place hits you the moment you arrive.
Elements of Byron sits on 50 acres of beachfront rainforest on Bundjalung Country, home of the Arakwal people. Opened in 2016 and just a ten-minute drive from Byron Bay, it offers something for everyone: a place to gather, celebrate, and contemplate; a family-friendly escape; a lover’s retreat among nature and wonder; and a sense of connection that goes well beyond a hotel stay.
For my ten-year-old son and me, it’s something simpler. Two nights away from the rest of the family, away from screens, together. A first-ever staycation. Our time.
We’re excited.
Arrival and check-in
Arriving on a Friday afternoon, we’re greeted by the energy that Elements is known for. The sun is setting over the lagoon pool, Firepit Friday is getting going, flames flickering, a local musician setting the scene. Check-in is friendly and quick, and the resort’s retreat-like vibe lands immediately. Even though we’ve only driven twenty minutes from the other side of Byron Bay, where we live, the shift to “resort time” is instant.
Sustainability and regeneration sit at the centre of everything here. The 24-hectare property features four distinct ecosystems: rainforest, dune, wetland and eucalyptus forest. Only 4 per cent has been developed. The remaining area is dedicated to protecting 19 endangered species.
The Villa
Nestled across the property and enveloped by wetlands, tea tree creeks, lakes and native fauna, the resort features 203 standalone villas, each designed to immerse guests in the natural surroundings. Our 111-square-metre two-bedroom Deluxe villa does exactly that: we feel deeply connected to what’s outside while enjoying every modern comfort and plenty of privacy. Driving right up and parking outside the door adds to the laid-back feel.
The eco-inspired look flows inside. Reclaimed timber. High ceilings. A simple colour palette. Each villa is equipped for a self-contained retreat, including a full kitchen, a private bathhouse with a huge tub for soaking, dreamy beds, and a belly stove for building a cosy fire safely.
I especially love the local produce touches that give the space its Byron Bay character. Brookies Byron Dry Gin. Husk Bam Bam Spiced Rum. Loco Love chocolates. Bay Tea Co. products. These are small details, but they matter.
The villas are also designed to minimise energy and water consumption, and the resort quietly recycles and composts all its organic waste.
Once the sun sets, the whole place transforms. Fairy lights line the snaking network of pathways, and walking through at night, surrounded by the sounds of nature, is a treat. Illustrated signs scattered throughout explain the native flora and fauna, a lovely touch that educates as you go.
The lagoon and beyond
The main drawcard is the 850,000-litre heated infinity lagoon pool, fringed by tropical gardens, cabanas, hanging chairs, and on-demand food and beverages delivered to your lap via Breeze Poolside Bar & Eats. Just a QR scan away.
My son and I spend most of our time in the oversized heated jacuzzi by the main lagoon. Hours of soaking, chatting, swimming together under the sun and the stars. We drink a lot of pink lemonade. We have a lot of belly laughs.
Heaven.
For grown-ups craving some responsibility-free downtime, there’s the adults-only Summer Salt pool with a swim-up bar and more of a tropical beach bar feel. I didn’t visit this time, for obvious reasons, but I hear the poolside mezze platters and Negronis are excellent.
The outdoor parkour playground, tennis court and giant outdoor chess set provide plenty of competitive fun for all ages. My son beats me in a best-of-three timed race on the parkour course, but I make up for it later with a win in the beach fun run. Just. We slept well that night.
As Byron’s only beachfront resort, a leisurely thirty-minute stroll along Belongil Beach gets you right into the heart of town. For those wanting to stay put and relax by the waves, Botanica Beach Lounge offers plush day beds with uninterrupted views of the Pacific. At this time of year, August, humpback whales migrate south with their newborns.
Worth noting: the world’s first solar-powered train shuttles guests on a ten-minute journey between the resort and Byron Bay on a beautifully restored 1949-era heritage train throughout the day. Bikes are also available for those wanting a more active way to explore.
Wellness is woven into the resort, with Osprey Spa offering holistic treatments, free first-light beachfront yoga, a 24-hour indoor gym, outdoor fitness equipment and easy walking trails. There’s no spa time for us, but we find our own version of it: a couple of nature trail walks together, marvelling at the birdsong, the beauty, and the quiet around us.
Dining options
Azure Bar & Grill celebrates the region’s produce with a rotating seasonal harvest of native ingredients, adding a twist that goes beyond the usual. Whether it’s a casual breakfast on the terrace or a more formal dinner, the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere makes dining here easy.
The menu is extensive and caters to all dietary needs, with a sizeable kids’ menu my son particularly appreciates. In fact, he ranks the wood-fired pizza among the best he’s ever had.
A big claim, considering we recently ate our way through Italy.
For those who prefer to stay in, the in-room dining service offers a diverse menu delivered to your door in eco-friendly packaging via golf buggy.
Rainforest to table
One of the highlights of our stay is an unofficial native foraging tour with Veronika, the resort’s Food and Beverage Manager, which offers a sneak peek at the newly launched Native Menu. This experience introduces us to Australia’s native flora and fauna first-hand, showcasing how Elements’ on-site bush tucker bounty is being curated and woven into the culinary offerings.
During the walkabout, we learn about Davidson plums, native juniper and warrigal greens, all harvested on the property, and the exact ingredients used in the resort’s kitchens. Veronika also demonstrates how paperbark from the trees on the property is used to smoke beetroot, giving dishes a rich, earthy flavour.
Fascinating stuff.
As the walk continues, we discover zesty finger limes, saltbush, river mint, lemon myrtle and native ginger, just a few more of the native ingredients featured in Elements’ cocktails and dishes. Regeneration remains a core value here, with $5 from every Ocean Breeze and By the Sea cocktail donated to Seabin, a local ocean-cleaning initiative.
The best part? Afterwards, we sit down to a two-course lunch at Azure Bar and Grill, curated by award-winning Executive Chef Ebony Baker. The lunch features the same ingredients from the new Native Menu, a true rainforest-to-table experience.
First course: tempura zucchini flowers with smoked cashew and almond cream, basil, lemon, caponata, and grilled zucchini with bunya nut and macadamia nut praline. For the main: native blackened snapper with warrigal green lemon butter sauce, Ballina pipis, native blackened spice mix, potato fondant and lime cheek.
There’s also a Birds of Isle Rum and Tonic from nearby Murwillumbah worth trying. It’s made with native Australian bunya nuts that are foraged, opened by hand, roasted and then fire-charred.
Now, despite enjoying the foraging tour, all of this gourmet foodie talk is a bit fancy for my ten-year-old. Thanks to the kids’ menu, he opts for a cheeseburger and fries, which, at first bite, he declares “is so good!”
Everybody happy.
The verdict
Elements of Byron combines the best of what Byron Bay does well: its natural beauty, its commitment to sustainability, and a real sense of community. From the coastal landscapes to the eco-conscious villas, it’s a place where you can reconnect with nature, your loved ones, or yourself while enjoying all the comforts of modern hospitality.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that this is a more understated kind of luxury. This is not the place for gaudy interiors, butlers or gold taps. For me, the luxury here comes from the design and regenerative thinking that went into creating the resort, the privacy and peace it offers, and the natural connection it delivers. That’s the proposition. And it works.
For my son and me, this stay is more than a getaway. It’s a chance to reconnect with the world around us and with each other. We leave refreshed, inspired and deeply grateful for what Elements of Byron quietly delivers.
Already, my son insists that he and I will be coming back.
And for the record, not with his big brother.
The Details
Location: Elements of Byron
144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia
Villa #: 198
Check-in: 3pm / Check-out: 11am
Starting room rate: Rates for a Deluxe two-bedroom villa start from AUD$1,425 per night.
Elements Native Menu: A Wildly Sophisticated Dining Experience is now available at the Azure Bar and Grill for all in-house guests from September 11 to November 30, 2024. It includes an immersive foraging tour led by esteemed naturalist and Elements Grounds & Activities Manager Alistair Oakma.
Matt Leedham stayed as a guest of the hotel.
