Northern NSW a is magical place.
The glorious weather, tranquil rivers and lakes, World Heritage rainforest and dramatic volcanic hinterland on the North Coast of NSW make for pretty good Instagram and there’s a group of people who are nailing it like no others.
The mums.
Elsa Pataky is one of them, but there are so many more.
Byron Bay and surrounds are home to some of the coolest, smartest and most authentic Instagram bloggers who are quickly amassing legions of fans on both their personal accounts and their business accounts as they document life with their families living near the most easterly point of Australia.
Wildflowers, sepia tones, market stalls and oatmeal fashioned wild children running along the coast toward waterholes and surf breaks make us want to pack up and make the seachange ourselves.
These women are successful entrepreneurs as well as mums, and they’ve let us into their world of salty hair and coastal dreams, as they nail the idyllic lifestyle in Australia’s boho-chic surf town, Byron Bay and it’s surrounds.
Elsa Pataky
Elsa Pataky @ elsapatakyconfidential: Brains, beauty and a Hemsworth. What more could you want? The Spanish national fell in love with Byron Bay and now, well … we’re in love with her. Spending a great chunk of their time in Byron Bay she and husband, Chris Hemsworth have really put the place on the map as they entertain their celebrity friends at their home in the hinterland with children, India, and twin sons, Sasha and Tristan. The laid-back, earthy vibes that flow through Elsa’s Instagram feed prove that she’s embodied the peace and love vibe of the hippie-chic surf town.
Sarah Rosborg
Sarah Rosborg @rafikicastle: Sarah is a mum to her darling daughter Lovisa … and pretty much anyone else who needs her. You won’t find filtered, romantic images in her feed – Sarah’s an inspiration of a different kind. Founder of Rafiki Mwema – the Aussie charity recently endorsed by Harry and Meghan – Lennox Heads local, Sarah is a tireless campaigner for the children of Rafiki. Children who have suffered horrific assault and injuries that most people find too difficult to talk about. Not Sarah, she will not stay silent and because of that those children have a safe house to live in and gentle therapies to help them move on and live the life they deserve.
Isabella Pennefather
Isabella Pennefather @isabella_spell Isbella: Her childhood nickname, ‘Spell’ became the name for her business, Spell and the Gyspy Collective, began selling her handmade jewellery and fashion at Byron’s artisan’s markets. It was when the leggy creative was joined by her sister, Lizzy that Spell really took off and now is worn by a dedicated legion of fans, including celebs Katy Perry, Alessandra Ambrosi, Miley Cyrus and Elsa Pataky. Isabella’s oatmeal tinted Instagram feed is cool epitomised. She and husband Doug Gallop, along with sons Texas and Jagger have a bohemian, rock’n roll aesthetic and their family moments – at home in Byron Bay and on their travels – are pure love and joy. Want real envy? Check out their home at @fourpalmsbyronbay.
Elizabeth Abegg
Elizabeth Abegg, @lizzyabegg: Sister to Isabella and Luciana (below) and co-creative behind Spell and the Gyspy Collective Lizzy herself has a dedicated fan base who adore the love story between her and husband, Johnny – the wedding was a bohemian fantasy – as they share life in Byron Bay with kids, Indiana, Alushia and newest boho-baby, Leila. Salty haired and sepia-toned their coast life together is one that dreams are made of. Just don’t call her a super-mum. She recently wrote, “I’m doing pretty much ONE thing at the moment which is being a mumma, and even at being a mumma I’m getting a LOT of help”.
Luciana Rose
Luciana Rose @lucianarose: Sister to Isabella Pennefather (twinnies!) and Elizabeth Abegg, Luciana Rose is the last of the trio to step into motherhood with her sweet baby, Ocean. Luciana’s feed is delightful, and it’s not just the beautiful imagery that the talented makeup artist and qualified hairdresser shares of life in the bay. Her warm and sweet personality shines through in the stories that she shares and the way that she interacts with friends and strangers alike in her comment section. Followers have delighted in her journey as Ocean’s mamma, not least of all because they fairly recently shared her heartache when a previous pregnancy resulted in a heartbreaking miscarriage. Open and honest, Luciana brought the conversation about the tragic event out into the open, sharing her story and sympathising with those who had gone before her as they brought the experience out of the shadows and allowed each other to feel all the feelings in the safe and comforting community she has created online. That same community is now loving watching the utterly adorable Ocean and Luciana grow together as a mamma-daughter duo with the stunning beaches and streets of Byron Bay serving as their very photogenic backdrop.
Claire Alexander-Johnston
Claire Alexander-Johnston (@jetsetmama): A born and bred Londoner, Claire is the definition of authentic. She shares her parenting journey – warts and all – and it’s hilarious. She’s spontaneous, zany and the envy of many as she travels the world with her husband Rich and adorable little ducklings, sons Atlas, Sochi and daughter Zephyr. Splitting her time between the Byron hinterland and Bali, Claire’s boho-luxe style and cheeky wit have seen her amass a dedicated legion of fans who can’t get enough of the sassy earth-mamma’s tell-it-like-it-is take on life. And … she’s expecting baby four.
Chantelle Ellem
Chantelle Ellem @fatmumslim: One of the pioneers of blogging in Australia – her blog recently celebrated it’s 10th anniversary – Chantelle made the move from Sydney’s Bondi to Northern NSW several years ago and hasn’t looked back. Through her beautiful imagery and her authentic story-telling this world traveller lets us into her life with her husband, dog and two sweet daughters, Lacey and Lulu. Chantelle celebrates life on the coast with the pure adoration of someone who still pinches themselves every day at the life they’ve landed. She brings her dedicated fanbase along for the ride too as they join in the FMS Photo A Day Challenge Chantelle began as a way of celebrating the every day moments that define us.
Aimee Winchester
Aimee Winchester @little.winnie: Aimee has four daughters: Coco, Autumn, Juniper and Clementine and one more bun in the oven! Founder of children’s sleepwear label Little Winnie, Aimee moved from Sydney to Byron Bay in the hope of finding the idyllic backyard for her girls. And she did. With an inspiring feed full of coast life moments with her professional body boarding husband, Dave it seems like the Winchesters have nailed that Byron Bay lifestyle of creativity and nature combined.
Courtney Adamo
Courtney Adamo @courtneyadamo: Back in 2015 Courtney and her husband Michael packed up their London lives and their four kids, sons Easton and Quin and daughters Ivy and Marlow and headed on a round-the-world trip ending up, and settling in, beautiful Byron Bay where they added another boy, Wilkie to their tribe. Co-founder of @babyccinokids, Courtney’s feed is whimsical, earthy and if it doesn’t make you want to pack up and move to ‘The Bay, nothing will.
