Summer’s almost here (In Australia!) this is the time of year when I want my feet firmly planted on Aussie soil – or more accurately, a sandy beach. My home country is just THE BEST in the summer months; the social calendar goes crazy with outdoor events, and it’s perfectly acceptable to sip cocktails from mid-morning, just because it’s summer!

I try and stay local as much as my schedule allows in summer, but recently I’d been craving a bit of a break to recharge before the busy season. Usually I’d head to an international destination, but a good friend recommended Halcyon House on Cabarita Beach, northern NSW, so I packed a bag and hopped on the short flight all set for a chilled few days.

This place is the most chic little beachfront escape! Halcyon House’s owners have transformed a run down surf motel in to a Hamptons-style hideaway, with eclectic interiors, a Riviera chic swimming pool framed by palm trees, and renowned restaurant Paper Daisy that’s packed with  both hotel guests and locals.

As well as giving me free rein to find suitable styling backdrops (thanks guys!), the Halcyon House team are so so good at those little considerate touches that make guests return time and time again. They have vintage bicycles (painted in the house colours of course) and will talk you through the prettiest coastal paths to explore, And the restaurant chef does the rounds of the pool each day serving up homemade ice cream from his vintage cart.

What a hidden gem…staying ay Halcyon House is like stepping in to the most colourful, stylish, sun-drenched Instagram feed. No filter needed for this hip little hotel.

Bikini: MIKOH, Sunglasses: PARED, Dress: Lee Matthews.