Coopers Shoot: Farm Life, Food and Coastal Escapes

Coopers Shoot is a rural locality on a ridgeline between Byron Bay and Bangalow. Local produce shapes the town’s tangible character; Sun Ranch is a boutique hotel on regenerated agricultural land. A rainforest waterfall and several coastal destinations are also nearby. This makes it possible to plan a stay that combines a rural setting, food and excursions to the water: options range from a horseback ride and a limited wellness break to a surf beach, bay and coastal paths.

Farmstay accommodation

Sun Ranch is a boutique hotel on 55 acres of regenerated agricultural land. Forget Me Not Farm Cottages offers boutique accommodation on a 100-acre working cattle farm. The two properties therefore offer different types of accommodation—hotel or cottages—and different agricultural settings. When comparing them, consider whether you prefer a boutique hotel on regenerated farmland or cottages on a cattle farm.

Forget Me Not is also a wedding venue in Coopers Shoot and offers couples exclusive use for their wedding day. The property includes landscaped gardens, a tranquil lake and several wedding ceremony locations.

Horseback rides and wellness

In partnership with Zephyr Horses, Sun Ranch offers one-hour horseback rides across rolling hills and open pastures. Private rides with a picnic take place on the ranch and are reserved exclusively for Sun Ranch guests. Tours are subject to booking availability. The one-hour duration gives the activity a clear time frame; the restriction of private rides to guests makes a stay at this property particularly relevant for those interested.

Another option is the Sun Ranch Pool Club Day Pass. It is limited to three hours, requires advance reservation and includes an à la carte menu, a wood-fired sauna and an ice bath. The three-hour limit makes it easy to plan the pass as a separate activity. Availability, booking conditions and included amenities may change; check the latest details before planning your visit.

Tomatoes and local produce

Coopers Shoot Tomatoes grows a selection of gourmet tomatoes on the vine and harvests them fully ripe. The farm’s fresh vegetables are sold at local farmers’ markets; market participation may change. The farm’s history is also linked to these markets: in 2002, the Armstrong family switched to selling its fresh produce exclusively at local farmers’ markets. The town’s food scene is therefore interesting both for its selection of tomatoes and harvest timing, and for its market tradition.

Waterfall and coastal destinations

Killen Falls is close to Coopers Shoot. The rainforest waterfall has a natural swimming pool and is surrounded by lush scenery; a peaceful walking track is another feature of the site. The Pass is also nearby and is a surf beach with waves suited to longboarding. It also offers opportunities for swimming at sunrise and coastal walks. These provide contrasting excursion ideas: a rainforest setting and a stretch of coast with surfing and walking.

Wategos Beach offers a different coastal experience: the sheltered bay is known for gentle waves, opportunities for an early-morning swim and ocean views. Compared with the other coastal destinations, The Pass focuses on longboard waves and coastal walks, while Wategos Beach offers a bay, gentle waves and views. When planning, you can choose whether you’d prefer a surf beach or a sheltered bay. Check current conditions before visiting.

Getting there

Coopers Shoot is accessible via Coopers Shoot Road, which branches off Bangalow Road.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wee Waa, Rand, Krambach, Midginbil, Ramsgate, Coonamble, Concord, Temora

For the broader travel guide: New South Wales.