A winding palm-fringed driveway, passing by a 20-acre macadamia orchard and expansive manicured grounds leads to Hinterland House, a property unlike any other in the Byron Bay surrounds.
The original homestead, which dates back to 1906 when the residence was the heart of an over 600-acre dairy farm, remains today much the same as it always was. And its story is as strong as ever.
‘Hinterland House’ in Bangalow is currently up for sale with a price guide of $15 million. The c1906 homestead was used as the ‘Couples Retreat’ in hit TV show Married At First Sight and is set on more than eight acres in the idyllic hinterland. According to realestate.com.au, the heritage property was bought back in 2016 for $2.75 million by Brisbane-based hospitality entrepreneur Mitch Carter.
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“When you arrive at the homestead, it’s quite breathtaking,” says owner Mitch Carter, who purchased the property in 2016 and has since transformed it into boutique luxury accommodation. “You don’t often see facades like this anymore. You feel as though you may have stepped back to another era.”
As serendipity would have it, Mitch stumbled upon the homestead by chance. “I wasn’t really looking for another property, and it wasn’t actually listed online for sale,” he says. But after seeing it covered in an editorial piece, he sought out the agent, organised an inspection, and in his own words – “the rest, I guess, is history.”
The wrap-around verandahs provide plenty of options for outdoor dining and spots to steal away and enjoy a morning coffee. (Photo: Supplied)
And a sense of history still flows throughout the property. Mitch, who also owns a heritage-listed 1800 cottage in nearby Eureka, was steadfast in maintaining the home’s original charm, while at the same time breathing new life into it as one of Byron’s most luxurious offerings.
“The history of Hinterland House is an integral part of our story,” he says. “It’s something we are really proud to continue to grow in this next chapter.”
In a former life, the homestead was the residence of the Noble family, who farmed dairy cows on the property until the mid-1980s. (Photo: Supplied)
Apart from some structural changes made by previous owners, updates to the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the installation of new lighting (which makes a significant difference to an older property), the leadlight windows, 14-foot ceilings, and stunning parquetry flooring all remain intact, while the vine-wrapped facade shows the permanence of the property.
“A lot of properties of that era are filled with darker, gloomy period pieces, but Mitch was open to it being injected with some contemporary decor,” says designer Kathy Brauer. (Photo: Supplied)
Carved wooden pieces, large-scale artwork and sheer linen curtains now adorn many of the rooms of Hinterland House. (Photo: Supplied)
“The addition of the [two new] cottages – that flank the original homestead on either side – were completely in keeping with the heritage facade, and are a seamless part of the original building,” says Mitch.
It also meant the home could now accommodate up to 16 guests, who can each enjoy the wraparound verandah, stunning rose garden, and 14-metre swimming pool with stylish cabanas draped in custom linen shades.
Guests can recline in linen-draped cabanas next to the 14-metre pool with stunning views across the macadamia farm. (Photo: Supplied)
More recently, Mitch engaged designer Kathy Brauer of Bisque to help with the interiors. The brief: “Raffles meets Byron Bay.” Now, ornate archways and timber joinery sit alongside bobbin leg tables, cane chairs, and potted palms, while soft linens float from the corners of four-poster beds and carved wooden cabinets are covered in trinkets and treasures from the world over.
“I tried to inject as much character into each room, without making it feel as if it had too much personality,” says Kathy. “We had many of the pieces custom made for the job and and all of the original art was painted by myself to tie in with the feel of each room.”
“My aim was also for the house to feel like a home,” adds Kathy Brauer of her inspiration for the interiors. (Photo: Supplied)
Each of the three expansive king bedrooms at Hinterland House has its own ensuite. (Photo: Supplied)
The revival has drawn much attention to the luxurious holiday destination, which has just joined the Private Collection by Spicers, a new portfolio of breathtaking properties in iconic Australian locations that provide more tranquil, intimate, and nature-based getaways.
With in-house spa and massage treatments available, a private Mercedes waiting to escort guests into town, and personal chefs who will prepare degustations while you practice yoga by the pool, it doesn’t get much more soul-nourishing than this.
The two cottages that flank the homestead were designed in keeping with the heritage facade. (Photo: Supplied)
Each room comes with a stunning view, whether it’s of the macadamia orchard, swimming pool, manicured lawns, or rose garden. (Photo: Supplied)
Hinterland House sleeps 16 people, with eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, and is available to book here. Prices start at $8,035 per night with a minimum of five nights required. The property also hosts weddings of up to 120 guests.
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The heritage features, including the numerous ceiling rose designs, are what make this property so special. (Photo: Supplied)
The porch is equipped with automatic blinds, meaning guests can enjoy it no matter what the weather. (Photo: Supplied)
Hinterland House is the perfect place to plan a wedding. (Photo: Supplied)
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