HINTERLAND HAVEN BLACKBIRD
Living less than an hour from Byron Bay, it’s fair to say, most of my weekend getaways involve surf and sun even in the winter months. However, today, I’m driving through the lush, northern New South Wales hinterland to the region’s hottest newcomer, a boutique, adultsonly bed and breakfast in the hills of nearby Mullumbimby, 20 minutes north of Byron.
On arrival, we are greeted by owner James Hudson, who insists on carrying our bags from the car into the communal pavilion where guests can sit by a fire, enjoy drinks and conversation and, in the warmer months, a dip in the 10-metre magnesium infinity pool that looks out over the hinterland.
There are daybeds made from repurposed timber, as well as sun loungers and floral and leopard print umbrellas from Byron Bay label Sunday Supply Co.
As inviting as this scene is, it’s a little chilly for a dip so we’re happy to drink bubbles and eat cheese in the communal space.
James, a designer by trade, tells me he ran clubs and bars in Sydney’s Bondi before opting for a tree change with his wife Stella, who co-created and now runs Blackbird with him, and their two young children.
They purchased the land in late 2016, and moved into the modest but character-filled home on the property before building a unique bed and breakfast for couples looking to relax and reset in style.
Blackbird officially opened on Christmas Eve in 2018, and has already been a hit with discerning travellers seeking destinations with a point of difference.
Looking around, I admire the chunky timber sleepers as well as the hardwood touches in the reception area, which James tells me was originally part of the property’s old banana shed. He and Stella repurposed the timber, along with the rusty tin roofing sheets to reduce the carbon footprint of the build and also retain the property’s character and history.
After our glass of Champagne and welcome cheeseboard, James shows us to our pavilion, one of three detached rooms at Blackbird. With cacti, native succulents, small boulders and white gravel, it would be easy to imagine you are in Arizona, if not for the acres of verdant rainforest surrounding us and the spectacular views of Cape Byron and the Pacific Ocean.
Constructed from concrete, Cor-Ten steel, timber sleepers and glass, our pavilion is fitted out with the latest environmentally sustainable energy saving solar system, complete with Telsa Batteries, to provide power for the airconditioning and hot water.
Inside, there are burnished concrete floors and a kitchenette with a beautiful reclaimed timber top, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. We are delighted to discover James and Stella have left us a complimentary bottle of shiraz, a block of organic chocolate and another cheeseboard in the small fridge.
The bathroom to the right boasts Moroccanstyle tiles and a shower with a naked copper showerhead and tapwear.
There’s a wall separating the bedroom from the kitchenette and the king-sized bed looks out over the rolling hills. On the TV cabinet is a stargazing book should we wish to gaze at the
night sky, and a small TV, although guests are encouraged to completely switch off. And with that in mind, we head out through the glass doors, which lead to an outdoor terrace, the perfect spot for sundowners.
Guests are welcome to prepare their own food or they can head out to Mullumbimby and Byron for dinner, where there are countless excellent foodie options.
After a long lunch in Byron prior to our arrival, we are still full and opt to enjoy a glass of red with the cheeseboard and make the most of the calm sanctuary that is Blackbird.
The following morning after an extraordinary sunrise, James and Stella provide homemade and locally sourced goodies for breakfast in the communal space and serve a decent coffee.
They seem genuinely delighted to share their property with visitors from all over the world and, as I look out across the infinity pool at the Pacific Ocean in the distance with the warm winter sun on my face, I couldn’t be happier that they feel this way.