Some properties you photograph and move on. Others stop you in your tracks. As a Byron Bay real estate photographer, I’ve had the privilege of shooting hundreds of homes across the Northern Rivers — but 27 Marine Parade is in a league of its own. Known as ‘Coast’, this five-level architectural masterpiece sits directly opposite the iconic stairs leading down to Wategos Beach, and it recently made national headlines with a record-breaking $72 million price tag, cementing it as the most expensive home ever sold in Byron Bay.
Listed through Byron Bay Sotheby’s International Realty, we were brought in to deliver the full professional photography package — interior and exterior real estate photography, drone aerials, and twilight coverage across multiple sessions. This is the kind of project that reminds you why you got into property photography in the first place.
The Property
‘Coast’ isn’t just a house — it’s a sculptural statement. Designed across five levels that cascade down the hillside toward the ocean, every space in this home is oriented to capture panoramic views of Wategos Beach and beyond. The architecture features refined curves, natural lime-rendered concrete walls, and bespoke stone finishes that echo the organic shapes of the surrounding coastline.
The ground floor opens up completely — massive sliding panels retract to blur the line between inside and out. Standing at the dining table, you look straight past the infinity pool to the turquoise water of Wategos. As a professional property photographer, getting the exposure balance right between the bright ocean and the detailed interiors is critical — it’s what separates professional real estate photography from a quick phone snap.
Indoor-Outdoor Living at Its Finest
The main entertaining level is something else entirely. A full outdoor kitchen, sunken lounge areas, and that stunning infinity pool — all framed by the sweeping curved balconies above. The material palette is warm and considered: natural stone pavers, timber battens, and soft furnishings that complement rather than compete with the view.
The property has five bedrooms and six bathrooms spread across the five levels, along with two dedicated media rooms and a rare underground garage accommodating up to six vehicles — a serious luxury on Marine Parade where parking is at a premium. For Airbnb photographers and holiday rental shoots, properties like this set the benchmark for what luxury accommodation marketing should look like.
The Master Suite
The upper-level master suite deserves its own mention. Warm timber floors, a vaulted timber-lined ceiling, and floor-to-ceiling glass that opens onto a private balcony overlooking the ocean. Capturing a bedroom like this requires careful attention to natural light — we shot it in the late afternoon when the warm coastal light fills the space without blowing out the ocean view through the glass.
Drone and Aerial Photography
A property like this demands drone photography. From the ground, you get a sense of scale — but from 50 metres up, you truly understand how ‘Coast’ sits within the landscape. The five levels stepping down the hillside, the infinity pool cantilevered toward the ocean, the lush tropical landscaping wrapping around the property, and that unbroken stretch of turquoise water at Wategos.
Drone and aerial photography has become essential for luxury real estate marketing across Byron Bay, Ballina, Lennox Head and the broader Northern Rivers. It gives buyers — especially interstate and international buyers — an immediate sense of location, proximity to the beach, and the scale of the land. For a property at this price point, it’s non-negotiable.
We also flew a wider aerial to capture the broader Wategos and Marine Parade context — showing exactly where this property sits relative to the beach, the Cape Byron lighthouse walk, and the headland.
Twilight Photography — The Hero Shot
We came back at dusk for the twilight photography session. As the sun dropped behind the hinterland and the sky turned deep blue, every light in the house came alive. The curved balconies glowed warm against the fading sky, and the pool lit up in electric blue. This is the shot that sells the dream — and it’s why twilight photography is our most popular add-on for premium listings across Byron Bay and the Northern Rivers.
Twilight shoots require precise timing. There’s a 15–20 minute window where the sky has enough colour to create contrast with the warm interior lighting. Miss it and you’re shooting in the dark. This is where experience as a professional real estate photographer makes all the difference — knowing exactly when to be in position and how to balance the exposures.
The Architectural Details
Beyond the sweeping views and grand scale, it’s the details that elevate ‘Coast’ from impressive to extraordinary. The curved concrete canopies that provide shade while framing the ocean. The way natural light filters through louvres and timber screens. The stone feature walls that ground the interior spaces. Every element has been considered — and as a property photographer, it’s my job to make sure those details are captured.
A Once-in-a-Career Shoot
In over a decade as a professional real estate photographer covering Byron Bay, Ballina, Lennox Head, Bangalow, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and the broader Northern Rivers, this is the most extraordinary property I’ve had the privilege of shooting. ‘Coast’ at 27 Marine Parade isn’t just Byron Bay’s most expensive home — it’s a genuine architectural landmark that redefines what beachfront living can be.
The full media package we delivered included interior and exterior photography, multi-altitude drone aerials, and twilight coverage — everything needed to present a property of this calibre to a global audience through Sotheby’s International Realty.
Whether you’re an agent listing a prestige waterfront, a developer marketing off-the-plan apartments, or a homeowner preparing your property for sale — Media Drive delivers professional real estate photography that helps properties sell faster and for more. We bring the same level of care and attention to every shoot, from Airbnb holiday rentals to Byron Bay’s most exclusive addresses.