A sprawling stay in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, Lo Scoglio is a two-storey Italian-style farmhouse found within the prestigious enclave of Coopers Shoot, just ten minutes from Byron Bay. A legacy of heritage and regeneration designed to provide guests with a grounded journey to complete rest and recovery, Lo Scoglio redefines luxury for the discerning traveller.
Reminiscent of the neo-classical mansions found along the sea on Sicily’s south-eastern coast, Lo Scoglio is functional and forgiving, warm and welcoming, inviting yet considered, a quintessential hint of Italy in the hills of Byron Bay. Let it be known that once you arrive, you may find it hard to leave, and that’s exactly how owners, Charlie and Angelica Arnott, intend for guests to feel. Everything you could need for pure, unadulterated relaxation, is found here. Cleverly combining all the charms of a centuries-old farmhouse with modern spacious living, the expansive Lo Scoglio layout lends itself to privacy; a sanctuary for full buyout stays and retreats within a beautiful rural region.
Lo Scoglio is peaceful, it’s restorative, it’s a place of simplicity where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself. It’s an estate that’s been fully realised, that sits within the landscape so beautifully, and so abundantly. Here there’s a centredness of space, a beautiful fusion of raw and natural materials preserved to last, coupled with pieces bought from Italy and products made by local Northern Rivers artisans. It’s a home that invites guests to treat it like their second home. Here there’s a communal sense of space and connectedness, mixed with just the right amount of scope to ensure Lo Scoglio is a sanctuary. On arrival guests will feel the organic nature, the groundedness of the property.
The Essence of Lo Scoglio
Understanding the toll of grind culture and the fatigue of stressful lives, the Arnott’s created Lo Scoglio with rest and recovery woven into its very DNA. Owners Charlie Arnott, an award- winning grazier and regenerative farming advocate, and his wife Angelica, who is steadfast in her expertise around natural regenerative living, have designed this retreat with a deep appreciation for the need to unwind. With a foundation built on two decades of biodynamic farming, Lo Scoglio embodies regenerative travel. From concept to construction, this property and its natural surroundings exemplify sustainable practices, reflecting the Arnott’s commitment to the land and the future.
“We have 20 years of farming regeneratively to build on. We understand the process from the creation of soil all the way to composting. We know the importance of food and nutrition, the importance of mindfulness, of general wellbeing and everything in between. As biodynamic farmers with a regenerative travel property, our backstory is the foundation of our Lo Scoglio front of house. Innately, how we developed Lo Scoglio is who we are,” explains Charlie. “It’s a natural extension of how we live.”
The Arnotts created Lo Scoglio the way they do everything in life—holistically—from engaging energetic healer Dr Patrick MacManaway to clear the space, to applying the same regenerative living principles they use at their biodynamic farm in Boorowa NSW.
“Our authentic behaviour is translated in this build. The idea was to build a house that had a low toxicity, easy lifestyle that’s kind on the environment. It’s considered. It uses all natural materials. You don’t have to consider artificial fertilizers, or EMFs where you sleep, there is no off-gassing in the walls because we’ve chosen micro cement, the floor is earthed, and there are no chemicals in and around the house. We use a biodynamic principle. That’s how we farm and that’s how we live,” explains Angelica.
Lo Scoglio is built with love, good intention, and regenerative living at the fore. Equally important to the clean and restorative qualities of the estate, Lo Scoglio is created on a foundation of heritage and culture.
Heritage and Culture
At Lo Scoglio, every detail is steeped in legacy. Firmly rooted in the landscape and inspired by Angelica’s Sicilian heritage, the property showcases traditional Italian architecture and craftsmanship, interwoven with the serene beauty of the Australian landscape.
“Lo Scoglio is an expression of my heritage, a place where I can honour my late father’s legacy. He was born on the Island of Stromboli in Sicily, and to me Italy is the ultimate destination. If I can’t get to Italy, I can always get to Lo Scoglio,” she explains.
In a nod to ancient Italian stone farmhouses, which after 500 years are still standing, this resilient, beautiful, and meticulously designed estate is adorned with vintage Italian interiors, creating a rustic yet opulent atmosphere that invites guests to unwind and rejuvenate.
Utilising a network of skilled local artisans, such as blacksmiths and stonemasons with experience handed down through generations, the concept of family is embedded firmly in the foundation of the house.
“It was really important that this house evoked the feeling of having stood here for centuries and enduring many more. The Italians have a natural talent for blending styles and eras in a way that feels both effortless and richly layered. We aimed to recreate that timeless legacy here,” says Angelica.
The Stay
The enduring beauty of family, Italian heritage and local craftsmanship culminate in this majestic property. From steel framed sliding glass doors and wooden beams to the roll top baths and antique stone basins, every inch of this farmhouse has been restored with love.
Now open to discerning holidaymakers seeking unparalleled luxury, their way, this private two- acre estate features a grand four-bedroom farmhouse and a charming one-bedroom studio. While the estate sleeps twelve, Lo Scoglio can host up to thirty-five people for intimate gatherings.
“Whether you’re visiting internationally or from around the corner, Lo Scoglio invites you to do as much or as little as you like. Ultimately, this is luxury and regeneration your way,” says Angelica.
Producing food and sharing it with family and friends are well-loved rituals for owners Charlie and Angelica. Guests are invited to enjoy this house as if it were their own and can indulge in the modest supply from the vegetable garden, opt for a personalised chef, or for home cooks in their element within the atmospheric kitchen, our bespoke and discrete concierge service can prearrange anything your heart desires including a larder filled with organic produce for your arrival so you can rustle up a rustic Italian feast and serve it outside on the large pergola.
Seamlessly blending the ancient wisdom of regeneration with the ultimate in luxury and relaxation Lo Scoglio offers a plethora of wellness amenities, including a spa, yoga deck, ice bath, infrared sauna, and holistic health services, from massages and acupuncture to nutritional guidance and training. For those who prefer guided modalities Lo Scoglio provides access to personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, and meditation instructors.
This is more than just a place to stay. Here, guests can reconnect with nature, indulge in farm- to-table dining experiences, and enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding countryside.
“As biodynamic farmers, we’re entrenched in regenerative agriculture and at its core regeneration is about rest, recovery and the seeds of growth and new species that thrive when stress is removed from a particular paddock. The same can be said for each of us on a cellular level when we rest to recover. With that in mind, regeneration is the cornerstone of Lo Scoglio.”– Charlie and Angelica Arnott.
As we collectively value and understand the importance of regenerative wellbeing and travel, Lo Scoglio stands at the leading end; led by an entrepreneurial duo who are demonstrating what can be accomplished when you create an estate that will have a positive contribution on wellbeing and the planet.