Three Meadows Byron Bay is a unique addition to the Byron Bay area’s selection of luxury rural getaways. In a hilltop location with panoramic hinterland views, Three Meadows offers not only an opulent ten-person guest house and separate four-person cottage, but also indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces amid 20 sculpture-dotted landscaped hectares. This is discrete country chic at its best in close proximity to Byron Bay, Bangalow, beaches and more.
The facts
Traveller: Bronwen Gora
Room: The primary king-bedroom loft suite in Three Meadows’ two-bedroom luxury cottage.
Address: 22 Sunnycrest Lane Bangalow NSW 2479
Date: June 2024
Three Meadows Byron Bay is best for: Friend groups, families, and couples wanting anything from a bucolic getaway to an entertaining venue decked out with the best of everything.
The Signature factor
Looking for rural tranquillity and modern opulence far from crowds? Look no further. Three Meadows bundles it all and more into a package of delight. Inspired design and thoughtful touches are everywhere: classic chandeliers poised above rustic soft furnishings, art-lined corridors, handmade decorative carvings and timber-hewn and metal sculptures both inside and out. I love the outdoor baths at the cottage and large magnesium pool at the main house.
The concept for Three Meadows
To offer an upscale, discrete getaway and event venue that is as suitable for families and groups as it is for couples. The elegant accommodations comprise of a 5-bedroom, 10-person guest house and a separate two-level, two-bedroom cottage suitable for either one or two couples. Both were designed by renowned Byron Bay architect Christine Vadasz whose buildings are known for blending harmoniously with the environment. Should guests require a venue space, the several indoor and outdoor entertaining areas can be tailored to suit anything from formal functions to lively cocktail soirees. The venues are perfect for milestone celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and engagements and ideal for commercial multi-day events like wellness workshops, corporate team building and yoga retreats.
Three Meadows is the dream of owner-builders Aaron and Rachel Jackson, who’ve poured their hearts and souls into every corner. Aaron’s popular metal sculptures and handmade pieces feature throughout, from the dramatic grand-scale barn doors to the steel spheres of painted flowers nestled amid garden beds and the four-metre poles reclaimed from the historical orchard and now objets d’art marching through the meadows. A former jeweller and lover of unique, organic materials, Aaron’s aim was to inject both history and character into Three Meadows via raw, recycled timbers and metals. “The idea is for these warm and inviting design elements to ultimately help guests feel grounded here,” he explains.
First impressions
Outstanding and unique. Much effort has gone into making Three Meadows a standout, from the sweet residences to the immaculate lawns and gardens. After alighting the property’s vintage Kombi at our sizable two-level cottage, my travelling companion and I can’t stop exploring. Everything – the cottage, main guest house, entertaining pavilion and event spaces, native gardens and sweeping grounds – has been brought to life via truly unique craftsmanship and creativity. We are highly impressed.
The room
Stepping into our two-bedroom cottage, I’m charmed by its design-led rusticity and tranquillity-inducing earthy tones. A soft couch beckons. But first, I’m compelled to inspect the spacious living area’s lovely decor. A collection of miniature steel animals adorns a side table beside the stairs leading to the loft bedroom. The dark wooden beams above the windows and shelves throughout I later learn resulted from Aaron’s vision for repurposing a decommissioned railway bridge. An enormous television fills one corner, a four-seat dining table another. The five-star kitchen is to die for with polished timber living-edged counters, flower-filled vases, Smeg appliances, a fruit bowl, and welcome gifts, including locally made artisan chocolates and an outdoor rug from handmade picnic essentials outfit Wandering Folk. To my delight, the fridge is stocked with French champagne and other gourmet treats. But the ground floor bathroom threatens to overshadow the lot: opposite the brass shower is a huge bath aside two barn-style wood and steel doors. Our jaws drop as we watch them slide back to reveal the view across the Meadows Lawn and gardens to the surrounding hills. It’s an interior design dream come true. Genuine Turkish pendant lights and hanging plants lend glamour. It’s all so unique.
My loft bedroom features a cupboard, shelves decorated with pots and dried flowers, a king bed with a dozen or so large cushions and woollen throw, and two lovely chairs by carved wooden tables. Automatic blinds lift to reveal the hinterland view. It’s bliss on a stick.
Dining at Three Meadows
Curated dining experiences here are next level and utilise the finest of regional produce. Three Meadows partners with local chefs who can either follow your lead or whip up a customised menu – the Mediterranean-style Terra Catering Long Table Lunch, Fine Dining Dinner, and two ‘cooking over fire’ packages. Aside from curated dining, the in-house concierge will pre-stock your pantry and kitchen, make restaurant bookings, and organise special dining experiences such as picnics on The Meadows Lawn.
On our last morning, we’re spoiled with a bountiful breakfast platter of croissants, fruit, cheese and condiments all set amid flowers on a table amid the meadows. It’s a surreal scene created by event catering specialists The Girl Who Cried Wolfe.
The facilities
Entertaining spaces, both covered and open-air. The five double-bedroom main house has a terrace with inground pool and sunbeds, barbecue, a lawn with shady trees, massive kitchen and large living areas. It also offers generous bathrooms with heated floors, an internal fireplace in the main living area and an outdoor fire pit. The cottage has everything you could want (even a laundry). Its backyard terrace features an outdoor sunken tub, firepit and outdoor entertaining patio complete with barbecue. Inside there is a fully equipped kitchen, meadow view bath and bathroom heated floors.
I wish I could take home…
A lot! Aside from my bed’s cushions and throw, I would also take home the sitting chairs and their carved side tables in my loft bedroom, the ground level bathroom’s stone tub and exotic Turkish pendant lights hanging by the sinks, and at least one handmade steel and wooden door built by Aaron who has installed them through both the cottage and main guest house.
Spa life
Three Meadows organises visits from beauticians and massage therapists for guests. Wonderful practitioners from Byron Spa Menu treated us to soothing back rubs on their portable tables. We also experienced an enlightening breathwork session from Chilean native Sara Searle who led us through a series of sustained breathing exercises. We were amazed at how relaxed and refreshed we felt after Sara’s half-hour routine of deep, fast and slow rhythmic breaths. On-site personal training, psychic and tarot readings, guided meditations and private yoga can also be arranged.
Staying in
Cottage guests can curl up inside with a book or movie (Wi-Fi available), and outside, enjoy magical hinterland views and sunsets from their private backyard entertaining terrace. Guests can cook up a storm or have a private chef do so for them. Main house guests can swim in its glittering outdoor pool, while those in the cottage can soak in their outdoor tub or take a bath indoors with meadow views. As for events, our stay involved attending a 90-plus person long-table, multi-course fire-pit cooked gourmet dinner prepared by top chefs Jake Kellie and Ross Magnaye. The event, hosted by Caper Byron Bay, showcased Three Meadows’ offering perfectly. Attendees enjoyed pre-dinner drinks amid atmospheric decorations in The Shed venue prior to the stunning meal served on a long table in The Pavilion event space surrounded by fairy lights and set under the stars.
Stepping out
Your wish is Three Meadows command: your in-house concierge and guest services can arrange anything from customised private tours and babysitting to helicopter transfers and curated fine wines. A scenic helicopter flight right from the property’s doorstep? Sure thing! Or how about hot air ballooning, whale watching, kayaking, surf lessons? There’s good shopping, boutiques, dining and a cafe scene in nearby Bangalow. Or head to Byron for the full town experience and a walk to the famous lighthouse. We went on a fabulous horse ride with Zephyr Horses. Our mesmerising ride meandered through silent forests of gum and tea trees and onto the sand dunes overlooking the length of Byron Bay. Had it been low tide, we could have cantered the shoreline.
Celebrity sightings
Getaway host Catriona Roundtree, celebrity chef Darren Robertson of Three Blue Ducks and wife Magdalena Roze, former world champion Australian surfer Joel Parkinson.
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Green thumbs up
Due to Aaron’s focus on recycling, many of the creative elements widely used throughout the property are hand-crafted from pre-used materials, many from the previous orchard. These include the garden’s giant floral spheres which are made from recycled oil barrels and the huge pavilion structure fashioned from an old railway bridge sourced from the South Coast. Bathrooms in The Shed venue are built within the old farm’s water tanks, while the curved sculpture features fencing around The Cottage once had a life as huge hardwood support poles in the old orchard. Sustainability factors are many, from triple-filtered rainwater to solar power. Native gardens thrive with Over 6,500 native trees and shrubs planted especially as they are drought-tolerant and provide a sanctuary for wildlife.
Room for improvement…
A second bathroom in the private cottage would be handy but it certainly wasn’t an issue for us, and Three Meadows gets 10/10 from me.
Final verdict
I loved the feeling of being out in the country in such a luxurious cosy home amid manicured grounds yet only 10 minutes from Byron Bay. I’d love to bring a bunch of friends here for my next milestone birthday. This place has everything, from top notch catering to a glittering pool, artistic design, comfy stylish living spaces, and idyllic peace and quiet.
Where to find Three Meadows
Three Meadows Byron Bay is located about 20 minutes from Ballina Gateway Airport. It’s only a 10-minute drive to the heart of Byron Bay and a 5-minute drive to the hamlet of Bangalow.
