Fig Tree Restaurant & Rooms, Byron Bay

Fig Tree sits on a hilltop at 4 Sunrise Lane in Ewingsdale, in the hinterland just outside Byron Bay and minutes from the town centre. The Devlin family turned the old farmhouse into a restaurant decades ago, and son Che Devlin runs it today.

The grounds do the talking: a Moreton Bay fig around 150 years old, an olive grove, a grapevine canopy, clipped hedges, citrus orchards and a kitchen garden that feeds the menu. From the top of the hill the view rolls over green hills to the ocean, Cape Byron and its lighthouse. It feels more like a private estate than a restaurant.

Vows happen under the great fig, with the hinterland and lighthouse behind you. Guests then stroll past the olive trees to the pool for cocktails and canapés, before dinner inside the restaurant, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, a marble bar and large bronzed mirrors. The food leans on the estate garden and local growers, and drinks are BYO, which gives couples full choice and real savings. A tasting evening lets you try it all first. The venue tells us it hosts weddings of up to 120 guests. Ask the team about finish times and wet weather plans.

Two homes on the property, Sunrise House and The Dairy, a converted barn under the fig, are made for the couple and wedding party. On the morning, a light breakfast and coffee are included while hair and make-up come to you. Everyone else can stay in Byron Bay itself, a short drive away, with the beaches and town for the days either side. Ask the team which nearby stays they suggest for bigger groups and how best to arrange airport transfers.