Sustainability

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” – Anne Marie Bonneau

The pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes, secret waterholes and abundant nature walks—these are the very things that draw us to Byron Bay and keep us grounded here. But the climate crisis is real, and the impact of our choices is undeniable. While that truth can be overwhelming, it fuels our commitment to do better.

At The Sunseeker, a deep respect for nature is at the heart of everything we do. Sustainability, for us, is not about being perfect—but about making conscious, consistent steps toward a better future. From the materials we choose to the partners we support, every decision is guided by a desire to protect the place we’re lucky to call home.

Sustainability has been at the core of The Sunseeker’s transformation.

During our revitalisation, we carefully selected recycled and sustainably sourced timbers, and used hemp insulation throughout our Bungalows. We gave new life to the original 1980s slate tiles, pulling them up from the rooms and relaying them as our now-iconic crazy pave at reception. Our brick fireplace was built using bricks salvaged from the main building.

In collaboration with Five Mile Radius, we saved over 2,420kg of concrete — more than 1 cubic metre — from landfill by crafting custom terrazzo benchtops for every room. Every material decision we made during the renovation was rooted in conscious, sustainable thinking.

That ethos carries through to our daily operations. We harness the power of the sun through 82 solar panels and a 27kWh system, and we purchase 100% GreenPower from our electricity provider, meaning we run on 100% renewable energy.

Water conservation is key: we have three 15,000-litre tanks servicing the pool and gardens, and each Bungalow is fitted with its own 3,000-litre rainwater tank.

We also offer free EV charging for guests, and our lush gardens feature four oversized garden beds, each equipped with a Subpod™ compost system, transforming our green waste into nutrient-rich compost that feeds our landscape.

Our carefully chosen partners and suppliers share our passion for a better future, bringing some of the most forward-thinking, sustainable solutions in their fields. We're proud to be aligned in values, united by a commitment to minimising waste and making thoughtful, meaningful impact wherever possible .

Since opening our doors in 2021, we’ve partnered with local Byron Bay sustainability consultants, Earthed Consulting to carefully measure our carbon footprint — tracking everything from refrigerants in air conditioning units to waste and laundry services. Each year, we proudly offset our emissions, making The Sunseeker a Carbon Positive operation.

To offset our impact, we support local carbon projects that focus on regenerating native ecosystems. One initiative restores forest along the Wilson River floodplain in Northern NSW, planting key koala food tree species and creating vital wildlife corridors between fragmented koala populations. Another project in Binna Burra helps extend critical habitat for a breeding population of koalas by planting over 60 native species.

We’re proud to share that a night at The Sunseeker produces just 23kg of CO₂ emissions, well below the Australian hotel average of 40kg per night.

  • A portion of your stay supports our alliance with 1% for the Planet—a global movement doing incredible work, and one we're thrilled to be part of. Since 2021, our commitment has helped fund a range of local not-for-profits making real impact, including Surfers for Climate, Byron Bay Wildlife, and Bangalow Koalas.

For us, progressive sustainability means keeping an open mind and always striving to do better. We're committed to transparency in everything we do and are always happy to share our sustainability principles, progress, and ideas with you—our valued guests and community.


hello@thesunseeker.com.au
• +61 2 6685 8900 • 100 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481 • Reception open from 9am-5pm