A stunning new guest house has just opened steps from Hyams Beach, melding playful 1970s and Mediterranean beach club aesthetics.
Renowned for its pristine coastal beauty and thrilling wildlife experiences, Jervis Bay has long been one of the NSW South Coast’s most coveted escapes. And then there’s Hyams Beach – arguably its crown jewel – where pods of dolphins can regularly be spotted cresting crystal-clear waves. Plotted just 100 metres from its sugar-white sands, a new couples’ retreat is bringing a fresh squeeze of colour to the beloved beach locale.
Meaning ‘siren of the sun’, Sirena Del Sol welcomed its first guests mid-August 2026. The style-forward beach house for two is the vision of Logan Brae Collection creators Asia Upward and Sam Edwards, boasting serious design credentials with its bold 1970s-inspired aesthetic.
With its characterful interiors and outdoor hot tub, we’re betting this adults-only sanctuary is the coolest new spot to bunker down on the NSW South Coast.
What to expect at Sirena Del Sol
Sirena Del Sol is located 100 metres from Hyams Beach.
Roughly 2.5 hours from Sydney by car, the guest house features multiple outdoor areas so that guests can soak up the sun all hours of the day.
There’s a firepit for marshmallow-roasting in the cooler months, private temperature-controlled hot tub for year-round dips and a garden oasis with a burgundy parasol and sun loungers for enjoying afternoon spritzes in the summer.
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A temperature-controlled hot tub awaits year-round.
Expect splashes of colour in the king bedroom.
The property features a playful outdoor design for relaxing.
Curvy edges add to the character.
The breakfast bar stools are the perfect spot for enjoying your morning coffee while listening to native birdsong, while the smooth geometric patio tiles deliver a tactile sense of warmth.
But it’s the expressive interiors that really steal the attention. In the king bedroom, you’ll find a mishmash of scalloped-edge table lamps and patterned bedding creating a maximalist energy (no beige sheets here).
Relax in the open-plan living area.
The open-plan living and kitchen area is made for lazy breakfasts and post-beach board games. Cherry-red wall stripes and a curved-edge coffee table promise playfulness and retro edge, while Mediterranean artworks add to the coastal whimsy. There is also stool seating at the veined marble countertop and a dusty-rose lounge for unwinding, with windows looking out onto bushland.
No space has been left untouched by the design vision – bathroom included. The space is fitted out in checkerboard tiles from Zia Tile, terrazzo floors, aged brass and spotted gum cabinetry that ties back to the region’s native flora.
The bathroom comes adorned in bright tiling.
Pops of colour are found on the walls.
Enjoy breakfast at the outdoor stool area.
If you’re looking to book a stylish South Coast stay that’s not afraid to have fun, make it this one.
Included amenities
The kitchen is equipped with essentials and cooking appliances.
Sirena Del Sol is equipped with ducted central heating and cooling, as well as a ceiling fan. The accommodation offers high-speed wi-fi, and there is free parking on the premises.
The living space has a Bluetooth sound system and smart TV where you can sign into your own streaming accounts. The laundry comes with a washing machine and drying rack, while the kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, espresso machine and everything needed to cook your own meals.
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The details
Location: Just 2.5 hours south of Sydney in Hyams Beach, NSW. Address provided upon booking.
Best for: Couples seeking a design-led sanctuary with plenty of character just a quick stroll from the beach.
Good to know: Strictly no children permitted. Firewood not supplied. There is no indoor dining table; however, there is kitchen bench seating, outdoor breakfast bar stools and an outdoor dining area.
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.
It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.
Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.
Where the vines tell a story
Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.
Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.
Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.
Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.
At the table
Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)
If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.
Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.
Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotelis a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.
And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.
Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.
From the source
Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)
Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.
Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.
Mark your calendar
Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)
For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.
Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.
