Developed by the resort's in-house naturalist, Alastair Oakman, the trail is a journey through the property's vast and surprisingly diverse landscapes, designed to immerse guests in one of Australia's richest ecological regions.

“The Northern Rivers is the third most ecologically diverse region in Australia, after southwest WA and Queensland's tropical north,” says Alastair. “While our guests often know us for our beaches and rainforest, many don't realise that within our 50-acre site, the landscape changes dramatically every few hundred metres – from littoral rainforest to wetlands to eucalypt forest to coastal dunes. This new bird-spotting trail is a rare opportunity to experience that diversity in a truly intimate way.”

The Bird Trail builds on the resort's existing nature program, which already includes a popular guided rainforest walk led by Alastair himself. It's an experience that guests regularly cite as a highlight of their stay – because where else can you have such close interaction with native wildlife and habitats without leaving the grounds of your accommodation?

“While many travellers will go out of their way to seek popular wildlife encounters on holiday, guests at Elements of Byron can step straight from their villa into a living classroom. Along the way, they might learn to identify animal tracks, distinguish between different bird calls, and even spot swamp wallabies grazing quietly in the undergrowth,” he explains.

A Journey Through Four Distinct Habitats

Elements of Byron's Bird Trail winds through four different ecologies – each home to its own distinct birdlife and soundscape:

• Rainforest: Shaded paths alive with the calls of Eastern Whipbirds, Lewin's Honeyeaters and the flutter of Wompoo Fruit Doves.Here, guests might also spot the vibrant Spangled Drongo or hear the soft, guttural calls of the Green Catbird in the dense canopy.
• Eucalypt Forest: Sun-dappled tracks where kookaburras call and tawny frogmouths camouflage high in the canopy.Guests are encouraged to keep an eye out for Glossy Black Cockatoos feeding on native she-oaks – a vulnerable species rarely seen in the wild – as well as magpies, bush turkeys, and the occasional Australian raven.
• Wetlands: Azure Kingfishers flash over the water while swamp harriers patrol from above.The wetlands are also home to elusive Buff-banded Rails, graceful Royal Spoonbills, and the powerful White-bellied Sea Eagle, which can sometimes be seen gliding overhead.
• Coastal Dunes: She-oak groves where Glossy Black Cockatoos feed, and Ospreys ride the thermals over the Pacific.Migratory shorebirds like the Little Tern, Beach Stone Curlew and Red-capped Plover also make seasonal appearances here, taking advantage of the rich feeding grounds of the Belongil Estuary.

From Restoration to Refuge

When Elements of Byron was conceived, only 10% of the site was developed. The remainder has been carefully restored to create a wildlife corridor that now supports over 250 bird species – including rare and threatened species like the Eastern Osprey and Black-necked Stork.

The Belongil Estuary, which forms part of the resort's ecological network, provides critical habitat for migratory shorebirds and coastal raptors thanks to its tidal flats, saltmarsh and mangroves – making it one of the most significant bird habitats in the region.

Alastair, whose background spans environmental management and ecological tourism, has worked with the resort's landscaping and sustainability teams – as well as external conservation organisations – to enhance habitat with native plantings of banksia, grevillea, melaleuca and she-oak, creating food and shelter for the birds that now call the resort home.

“Our new trail isn't just about spotting birds,” he says. “It's about slowing down enough to notice. You hear the change in the calls as you move from one habitat to another, you feel the air shift, the light change. It's about noticing the way each landscape tells its own story and how the local wildlife fits in.”

Slow Travel at its Core

Guests can pick up a trail map from reception and wander at their own pace, stopping at interpretive signs and using the illustrated species guides on their map to help identify birds in each habitat – from the dazzling Rainbow Bee-eater to the tiny but charismatic Willie Wagtail. The map also highlights conservation insights, encouraging guests to appreciate the fragility and importance of these ecosystems. The experience is self-guided by design, encouraging stillness, patience and a deeper connection to place.

For passionate birdwatchers, it's a rare chance to see species usually found only in remote environments – without leaving the comfort of a luxury resort. For others, it's an unexpected highlight of their stay – a reminder that luxury can be as much about what you hear and feel as what you see.

To launch this new bird trail, Elements of Byron will host a complimentary guided bird trail each Saturday at 11am (from 13 September) with Alastair. For more information and reservations, visit Elements of Byron Resort or contact the reservations team at reservations@elementsofbyron.com.au