As of mid July 2014 it has become possible to stay at Seed Savers in an artistically renovated garden apartment that is within the Fantons’ brick residence. Situated just two km south of the centre of Byron Bay and 600m through the Arakwal National Park from Tallow Beach and a creek mouth, the Seed Gardens are iconic for plant lovers. Thousands of visitors, hundreds of conference and course participants and dozens of interns have drawn inspiration, skills and knowledge from them. Now the gardens are not open to the public but a tranquil retreat.
The one acre gardens are a fresh oasis, shady, cool and green in summer with ocean breezes but naturally warm in winter. You are in a garden paradise with deep views into bushland across a disused railway line. Designed in 1998 on Permaculture principles, the property has many elements that enhance life in the dwelling, such as judicious plantings to increase ventilation in summer and heat in winter. The garden has over one thousand useful plants, including vegetables, fruit and nut trees, spices, fibre and timber trees.
The apartment has an arty, bright French country-style kitchen; a private access; one bedroom with a double bed, the other with two single beds; blue and white Greek-style toilet and also bathroom, which has a shower and a bath. There is small laundry with a modern front loader just outside that is available for your use.
We have made deeply ecological choices when renovating, such as Marmoleum floor coverings (linseed oil, clay, pine flour and jute). The bedrooms are decorated with paint made of milk casein, marble flour and natural pigments. The kitchen is decorated with citrus oil paint. Hot water is from solar power, though there is an electric booster.
If Michel and Jude are not away, they will show you over the gardens and harvest produce for preparation. Herbs and spices may be harvested from the garden for your use.
Stays are for a minimum of three days and maximum of ten. Use our Contact Us facility to apply.
French country kitchen with two burner electric stove, toaster, expresso machine, small oven in cupboard, medium sized fridge.
View from kitchen over courtyard to entrance along 45m driveway.
The yellow room has two single beds set up as daybeds and a view over flower, spice, vegetable and fruit gardens with bushland as a background.
The blue room has a view over a private walled garden
The blue room has a marine decor featuring lighthouses, waves and shells.
