Set across fifty acres of land along the shores of Belongil Beach in Byron Bay, Elements of Byron is an eco-conscious resort where native rainforest, wetlands and ocean converge.

A tranquil haven for families and couples alike, the property balances intentionally-designed cabins with an environment where the sounds and sights of the ocean and forest are all part of the experience. 

The resort’s design language is understated yet practical. Guests will find a palette that draws from sand, stone, and the surrounding forest canopy.

Sculptural forms are found around the property by Australian artists celebrating the natural world using repurposed materials, whilst native Australian and flora is a delight to discover from day to night. Lizards and birds also call the property home, and their presence reminds guests the environment is intended to be as natural as possible, changing by the seasons.

Dining, spa and recreational spaces are all on-site. The resort has it all – with even the beach just outside its back gate.

With 203 villas on the property, each have been designed with timber floors, natural tones, and subtle modern touches — Bose speakers, an iPad compendium and a minibar featuring local products (such as the irresistible Loco Love chocolates and Brookie’s gin). There’s even a copy of Element’s in-house magazine, Elemental, for all guests to read, enjoy and take home afterward. 

Each villa opens onto surrounding nature, enveloped in the environment. We stayed in the Botanica Villa, offering a freestanding layout with king bed, bathrobes, deep soaking tub, and dedicated parking just outside. Not that our intention was to ever leave the property however, as everything is within walking distance: the beach, the pool(s), the dining spaces, the tennis court and even the rainforest walk.

Morning begins with yoga overlooking the beach just after sunrise, followed by a swim in one of the resort’s serene pools — the main lagoon, or the adults-only swimming pool with its own swim-up bar. The gym is small but contains all needed equipment, and for an outdoor workout the tennis court is able to be used  free of charge along with courtesy rental of racquets and balls. 

Elsewhere, guests can wander through native gardens, explore rainforest trails, or find stillness along the small lake at the heart of the property. Bird-watching is a treat here, with so many species to identify and observe. The Kookaburra are easy to spot, with their laugh able to be heard in the mornings. 

In total, the resort has a building footprint of only 3.8% across its 20.2 hectares, leaving the natural environment preserved and enjoyed by its guests.

Something not to miss is a spa treatment at the Osprey Spa, now completely using Vanessa Megan Naturaceutical Skincare.

The Sydney-based brand was founded by an Aussie, Vanessa Megan, who looked to create all-natural products. The skincare collection is vast, but commits to being all-natural, ensuring guests don’t need to worry about the ingredients applied to their face and body. And yes, we checked the ingredients ourselves and were impressed, the brand has done a great job to commit to its philosophy. So much so, that we couldn’t resist to purchase two fragrances which were comprised only of essential oils (and also got packaging and presentation right).

The Spa is a serene space, where treatments such as the Sublime Bliss ritual (a 90-minute cocoon featuring 24K gold and lime caviar) transform oneself into a whole new person (….atleast it feels that way!)

After the session, guests are run through the products used in their treatment in a ‘Prescription Card’ split clearly into product ranges (such as Moisturisers or Cleansers) so that guests can easily understand what works for their skin type as advised by their technician. Most products come in glass packaging, with others made with post consumer waste plastics to ensure their impact on their environment is as little as possible. The spa is able to be booked by the public also. 

Dining takes place at the Azure Bar & Grill, where wood-fired pizzas, Australian oysters and locally inspired dishes are on the menu. Ingredients are foraged directly from the resort’s grounds — lemon myrtle, native ginger, native thyme and beach herbs — celebrating the unique flavours of the region. 

Drinks at the Azure Bar or Poolside Bar extend the experience, with local favourites like Stone & Wood beer, NON non-alcoholic wines, North Wall Kombucha, and even a Beauty Chef Elixirs Bar focused on hydration and collagen-boosting blends.

Staff come from across the globe, adding an international ease to the laidback Australian setting.

While the resort embodies many hallmarks of mindful luxury, and has been born from a deep commitment to sustainability on the land, we would like to see this extend to the details found throughout the resort, bringing it in closer alignment with Byron Bay’s ethos. Single-use items can still be found at bars and at breakfast — a surprising oversight for a property positioned around wellness and environmental consciousness. Plastic cups could be switched for reusable stainless steel or silicone, takeaway coffee cups could simply be ruled out as an option. Luxury is considered details with the restraint of convenience, an update we’d like to see Elements lead with under its ethos. 

Just a few steps away from the resort is the world’s first full-sized fully-solar powered train, the historic Byron Solar Train,connecting guests to the heart of Byron town without leaving a footprint. The couple behind Elements of Byron – Brian and Peggy Flannery – are also the instigators behind the not-for-profit heritage train which is full of character. An experience in itself, the connection is ideal and presents a charming Byron experience through its history and surrounding section of forest, still left undeveloped and untouched. 

Conveniently located, Elements of Byron is approximately 30 minutes from Ballina Byron Airport, or 45 minutes from the Gold Coast.

For those seeking both restoration and inspiration, Elements offers an immersive retreat into the rhythms of the natural world — a resort where luxury is defined not by excess, but by atmosphere, intention, and space to simply be.

Throughout the seasons of the year, each visit to Elements would surely be different and we look forward to returning… especially for their unforgettable sunrises.

Elements of Byron
144 Bayshore Dr,
Byron Bay, New South Wales 2481

Images: As credited, Elements of Byron and Champ Creative©
Text: Editorial Director Monique Kawecki