Some properties you photograph. Others you experience. Longfield is the latter — a 101-acre heritage estate on Wilsons Creek Road that demanded a full day on site to capture every aspect of light, from the soft morning glow across the paddocks to the final moments of a spectacular hinterland sunset behind the homestead.
Sold recently by Su Reynolds of First National Byron Bay, Longfield is the kind of property that comes along once in a generation. Photographing it was an all-day booking, and every hour brought a different quality of light across this extraordinary home and landscape.
The Heritage Story
What makes Longfield truly remarkable is the depth of thought that went into its restoration. Every part of the original homestead — over 100 years old — was meticulously documented before the rebuild began. Timbers were catalogued, details recorded, and the soul of the original home was carefully preserved while being reinvented for contemporary living.
The bespoke history wall in the hallway tells this story beautifully — original photographs of the property through the decades, horseshoes, work boots, and historical documents mounted on salvaged timber boards. It’s not just decoration; it’s a living archive of the property’s past, built into the fabric of the home itself.
The restored hallway with its wide proportions, high ceilings, and original timber floors draws you through the heritage wing. Wraparound verandahs were rebuilt to original detail with ornate fretwork, and the entire homestead was lifted, restumped, and insulated — all while preserving the character that makes it irreplaceable.
The Architectural Extension
Where the heritage homestead honours the past, the striking modern extension by DFJ Architects propels Longfield into an entirely new realm. The dramatic spotted gum skillion ceiling soars overhead, polished concrete floors reflect the landscape, and recycled brickwork with lime wash finishes creates texture and warmth throughout.
The vast stacking doors and high-set windows were designed as picture frames for the restored homestead and the surrounding landscape. Standing inside the extension, you look through floor-to-ceiling glass directly at the heritage verandah and the rolling green hills beyond — old and new in perfect dialogue.
At the heart of the home sits a hand-crafted dining table made from the original verandah timbers — an irreplaceable centrepiece that physically embodies the merging of old and new. We photographed it with the Koonyum Ranges framed through the window behind, the afternoon light streaming across the polished concrete floor.
The Heritage Bedroom
The master bedroom in the restored wing captures everything that makes the heritage portion of Longfield so special — exposed timber beams, original hardwood floors, high ceilings with VJ panelling, and French doors opening directly onto the verandah and the green paddocks beyond. The styling is effortlessly elegant, with linen bedding, artwork, and collected pieces that feel connected to the property’s rural heritage.
Designer Details
No expense was spared in the finishes. The designer bathrooms feature aged brass tapware on handmade tiles with timber vanity tops — the kind of craftsmanship you photograph close-up because the detail deserves it.
The Grounds and Pool
The magnesium plunge pool sits elevated on the property with uninterrupted views across to the Koonyum Ranges — we captured it in the morning light when the hills were soft with haze and the water was perfectly still.
The established native gardens, recycled brick pathways, fire pit, and outdoor entertaining areas were all designed to connect the home to its landscape. As the day progressed and the light warmed, every outdoor zone revealed a different character.
The Approach
One of the most powerful images from the day was the century-old fig-lined driveway. These magnificent trees create a natural cathedral entrance to the property — the kind of arrival sequence that no amount of money can buy. You can only inherit it through time.
Drone — From Dawn to Dusk
With 101 acres, drone photography was essential. We flew at multiple points throughout the day to capture the property in changing light. The morning aerials show the homestead compound nestled into the green landscape with the full scope of the land, the pool, the gardens, and the relationship between the heritage and modern wings.
The wider aerial shots reveal the true scale of the property — the rolling north-facing paddocks, Mullumbimby Creek frontage, and the panoramic mountain backdrop that makes this location so extraordinary.
Twilight
We saved the best for last. As the sun set behind the ranges, the homestead came alive — the warm glow from the interior lights spilling through the windows, the verandah uplights illuminating the ornate fretwork, and the sky putting on a show of pink and gold behind the corrugated iron roofline.
The Video — Oli Ayo, First National Byron Bay
Longfield also received the full video treatment from Oli Ayo, First National Byron Bay’s in-house videographer. Oli spent the day alongside us, capturing the intricate details that make this property so special — the handcrafted joinery from salvaged hardwood, the aged brass tapware, the textures of recycled brick and lime wash, the way light moves through the spotted gum ceiling throughout the day. His attention to detail mirrors the craftsmanship of the home itself, and the finished film is a beautiful piece of work.
A Full Day, Well Spent
This was an all-day booking — and it needed to be. A property like Longfield can’t be captured in an hour. The morning light reveals the landscape, the midday sun shows the architectural details, the afternoon glow warms the interiors, and twilight brings the whole story together. Su Reynolds understood that, and the result was a campaign that did this extraordinary property justice.
For prestige and heritage properties across the Byron hinterland, a full-day shoot with photography, drone, and twilight is the way to tell the complete story.