Belle Helena resort proposes expansion for Byron Hinterlands property

A new home with a gym, lift and bowling lane is just one of the upmarket additions pitched for an $8 million luxury Byron resort. But staying at this property will not come cheap.

Belle Helena at Mcleods Shoot

The owner of upmarket Byron hinterlands resort Belle Helena has pitched a multimillion dollar build, which includes a new home with five bedrooms and a private lift.

Set on over 200 acres in McLeods Shoot, close to the tourist hotspots of Bangalow and Byron Bay, Belle Helena has views of the Byron lighthouse and ocean.

Up to 22 guests can stay at the luxury resort which boasts a tennis court, infinity pool, cinema, orchard and sauna.

But staying at the property will not come cheap – according to Belle Helena’s website, a private retreat costs $4945 per day and it was once listed as the most expensive place to stay in the area over the Christmas period.

What it could look like … artist impression of the proposed development.

The new $8 million dollar development proposal would see the resort expand, with the construction of six new tourist homes.

These units would be built into an existing dwelling and would range in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom.

Plans state the “tourist complex” will feature “panoramic views of the surrounding hinterland and iconic features of the Byron coastline” and future guests would have access to a shared gymnasium.

An artist impression of new home's forecourt view.

The property’s owner would stay in a new two-storey home, according to the planning proposal.

The proposed large five-bedroom home will feature a lift, gym, bowling alley and media room and plans state it will “blend into the natural features of the hillside”.

Another building in the southwest of the site will be used for farm workers and storage.

Town planner Chris Lonergan states the proposed development will “promote tourism in an ecologically sustainable way” with the proposed planting of 5400 new trees pitched as helping to boast the site’s existing koala habitat.