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Madelin Tomelty

At this boutique hotel at the water’s edge, you’re sure to experience a luxurious and memorable holiday that will put last year’s seaside escape in the shade

The next time you find yourself worn down and weary from the daily grind, daydreaming about the sound of lapping waves and the feel of sand between your toes, consider booking a respite at Halcyon House. A mere 15-minute drive south from the Gold Coast or 20 minutes north from Byron Bay will get you to its location at the marine mecca of Cabarita Beach on the New South Wales North Coast. Here you’ll find spectacular surfing conditions, a climate where ‘endless summer’ can be taken literally, and outstanding fresh produce, making a stay at Halcyon House an experience, not just a place to rest your head.

“It’s ideally located,” says Halcyon House’s General Manager Mauro Di Riso, “nestled between the vibrance of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Northern New South Wales’ idyllic hidden pockets – which also boast some of the country’s best culinary talent. Byron Bay, Bangalow, Newrybar and Brunswick Heads are all at our fingertips!”

Not Your Run of the Mill

You may have already noticed that Halcyon House isn’t your average boutique hotel. Sure, it has the requisite small number of rooms and a design that looks about as far from a chain hotel as you could muster, but it is so much more than that. The owners consider the accommodation ‘Australia’s most unique beachside property’, and it came about following a complete overhaul of what was previously the surfie Hideaway Motel.

When Brisbane-based sisters Siobhan and Elisha Bickle got their hands on the building in 2011, they had humble plans to make it a family holiday house. This quickly changed, and under the inspired direction of architect Virginia Kerridge and interior designer Anna Spiro, Halcyon House emerged in 2014 with its 21 individually designed rooms and suites.

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