Exclusive: The mystery buyers behind Byron Bay’s cult micro-resort Sun Ranch have been revealed. Sydney-based couple James and Sophie Rapper have quietly taken over the 55-acre Coopers Shoot property in a deal worth more than $15 million.
Perched in the Coopers Shoot hinterland, Sun Ranch opened in September 2023 to critical acclaim, even earning a place on Time’s 2024 list of the 100 Greatest Places to Stay in the world – Sun Ranch was dubbed a “55‑acre Eden where good taste is an art form”.
The property was originally bought and developed by Julia Ashwood and Jamie Blakey, alongside a small group of friends in the creative industries. Inspired by 1970s California ranch houses, the team transformed a run-down farmhouse into a sprawling luxury retreat featuring a 25-metre basalt pool, ice bath and sauna, firepit lounge, cowboy bar, honky-tonk sound systems, six off-grid timber barns and four private pool suites.
And now, after a string of awards in its short two-year history, it’s changed hands.
The sale, which included both the land and business, was finalised in the first half of 2025 but the identity of the buyers had been kept under wraps until now.
Sydney-based couple James and Sophie Rapper have quietly taken over the property in a deal Forbes Australia understands to be worth more than $15 million.
“We were looking at venues around Sydney, then we widened the search. When we saw Sun Ranch, it felt almost too good to be true. It had everything. The aesthetic, the energy, the landscape – it was the kind of place we’d always dreamed of building, already brought to life,” James said.
The pair married in Italy last year because they couldn’t find anything in Australia that felt right. “We wanted somewhere with soul,” said Sophie. “Something that didn’t feel cookie-cutter. “If Sun Ranch had been available for weddings back then, it would’ve been the one,” James added.
From cattle farm to cult stay
Previous owners Julia Ashwood and Jamie Blakey bought Sun Ranch from a local farmer whose family had owned it for 45 years.
“We first came across the property – 55 acres, just 15 minutes out of Byron Bay – and immediately felt something special,” Ashwood previously told Forbes Australia.
“Jamie fell in love with the creek and the rolling hills. When we walked inside the house, we noticed a little sunken lounge – just one of the many features – but we instantly connected with it. It sparked a vision for what this place could become.”
The team – a small group of creatives with backgrounds in design, hospitality and music – set out to build something that felt different from the all-white, cookie-cutter stays flooding the Northern Rivers.
“The architecture of the original house was long and sprawling. It gave off ‘longhouse’ vibes with touches of Spanish influence,” Ashwood said. “People who visit say it reminds them of California, or even Soho House in the UK. We’re happy with all those comparisons.
“We mixed in some Hollywood energy, a touch of Tarantino grit, and even a little spaghetti western feel. We wanted it to be luxurious but with a bit of edge. A place we would all genuinely want to hang out at.”
That vision became a 34-guest micro-resort complete with timber barns, private pool suites, record players, a cowboy bar and firepit dinners – plus tequila on arrival and staff who might know your dog’s name by day two.
As for the name? Sun Ranch just felt right.
“It had a sense of fun, freedom, and even a bit of cheekiness – and let’s face it with Beyoncé and Yellowstone, ranch fever wasn’t going away anytime soon,” Ashwood said.
Ashwood said the staff had to feel like part of the overall experience. A typical retreat might include arrival margaritas, welcome dinners, breathwork sessions under a tent, fireside meals, workshops, or even tarot readings.
“We’re the opposite of the ‘keys in the box’ approach”
Julia Ashwood, previous Sun Ranch owner
“Guests float in and out of curated experiences. The team gets to know you, your coffee order, and maybe even your dog’s name.”
Rates start from $2500 for two nights in a Rambler Pool Room, which includes outdoor showers and access to the private Longhouse pool. A full buyout of the property for up to 34 guests starts at around $35,000 per night, all-inclusive.
The ranch now has DA approval for further accommodation, including a guesthouse and glamping tents by the creek.
Same brand, new chapter
The new owners say they have no intention of reinventing the brand – but they do plan to build on it.
“It’s deeply personal,” James said. “We love the hotel as it is and we want to honour that, but we also see so much potential. It’s about keeping what’s special and adding to it in ways that feel intuitive.”
Their background lends itself to hands-on luxury: Sophie is an experienced event planner with a hospitality and finance background, while James has shot some of the country’s most high-profile weddings.
They say their approach is less about scaling the business and more about refining the experience – with a few new events, a local-led team, and some quiet design upgrades already underway.
“Luxury for us is about ease,” Sophie said. “It’s the feeling of being completely at home, looked after but never fussed over.”
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
