Built in 1986, this property is set on an inlet on the north coast of Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. It's surrounded by lush tropical gardens and overlooks a river. The owner is Philip Ewen, a retired design engineer who lives with his partner Anastasia Parmson, an artist. They own various properties, including a houseboat in New Zealand, a house in Sydney and a penthouse in Estonia. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
Mr. Ewen purchased the property for 730,000 Australian dollars ($770,000) in 2000 as a holiday home and to rent out as a bed-and-breakfast. It consists of three separate buildings: a main cottage with a garden wing, a gazebo and a studio. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
At the center of the property is the main cottage with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The upstairs master bedroom opens onto a balcony. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
It has views of the Belongil Estuary, which is home to exotic birds such as the sacred kingfisher and rainbow bee-eater. The house also has unobstructed views of Mount Warning, which is 31 miles away. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The east side of the main cottage is called the garden wing. It has a covered veranda with a sitting area that overlooks a garden. Mr. Ewen describes the home as having 'a very rustic and warm feeling.' The interiors feature high ceilings, Persian carpets and artwork by local artists. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
Mr. Ewen remodeled the bathrooms using polished cement and glass finishes about five years ago. The bathroom in the garden wing was installed with a modern eggshell bathtub. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
'There is a lot of very labor-intensive timber work throughout the whole property,' Mr. Ewen said. Pictured here is the kitchen, which has handcrafted cabinets made from Oregon pine and locally sourced hardwoods. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The gazebo is located on the water's edge. 'It is like being in another world where you can get away from everything,' Mr. Ewen said. The two-story structure was made using recycled telephone poles. It has a bedroom with a balcony on the second floor. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The ceiling was designed with exposed timber beams and paneling. There is a bathroom and a covered outdoor area on the ground level. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
'You can drop a line straight into the water,' said Mr. Ewen of the fishing deck shown here. 'My brother used to come up here and catch crabs. These estuaries are breeding grounds, and we've had schools of little sharks here at times.' Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The home comes with a small boat that can be rowed to Belongil Beach, which is less than 500 feet away. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The one bedroom, one bathroom studio is located at the entrance of the home and is closest to the street. Mr. Ewen rents out the property in different configurations or as one large residence. Rates start at approximately A$160 (US$169) per night for the garden wing and A$230 (US$243) per night for the main house. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
Byron Bay is a popular beach town. The closest airport to the home is Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, which is 22 miles away. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The owner thinks that the property would appeal to a large family who wants a holiday house or a retiree looking for 'a sea change and wants to keep the bed-and-breakfast going.' Photo: Anastasia Parmson
The property has been listed since September 2012 for A$2.5 million (US$2.6 million) with Unique Estates agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden. Mr. Ewen said he is selling the home because he spends less time there now that his two grown children don't visit as often. The couple also plan to spend more time in Estonia, Ms. Parmson's home country. Photo: Anastasia Parmson
