An afternoon of sunshine, smoke and slow-crafted food — the Wild Table Byron Bay long lunch brought together Feast Over Fire x Terra Firma, Will & Bear, and Swell Hotel for a one-of-a-kind experience. Guests arrived to cocktails, live music, and their own Will & Bear hat to style at the custom hat experience. The setting was intimate yet expansive, a table of strangers who quickly became friends.
The setting: Swell Hotel
Positioned in the heart of the bohemian surf mecca, Swell Hotel provided the perfect stage for the Wild Table long lunch. Its tropical garden, dappled in sunlight and surrounded by blends of coastal charm and 70s-inspired aesthetics, gave guests a sense of ease from the moment they walked through the gates. The long table stretched beneath palms, styled simply but with intent, inviting guests to slow down and connect. With a cocktail in hand, the warm hospitality of Swell set the tone for an afternoon that felt both grounded and luxurious.
Socials/Web: @swellbyronbay • swellhotel.com
The feast: Terra Firma × Feast Over Fire
No Wild Table event would be complete without food cooked over open flames. Chef Charly Pretet of Terra Firma Dining led the charge, collaborating with Feast Over Fire to create a three-course feast built entirely around fire. Whole cuts of wagyu were hung over the coals, vegetables blistered and smoked, and wild game was prepared with care to highlight its unique flavour. Guests were drawn toward the fire, not just for the food but for the theatre — flames leaping, coals glowing, smoke carrying aromas across the garden. It was food that celebrated time, patience, and place.
Feast Over Fire feastoverfire.com.au | Terra Firma Dining terrafirmadining.com
Discovered Wildfoods
Partnering with landowners to preserve native habitats & agricultural land by ethically harvesting Australian wild game.
Ethically harvested Australian wild meats by Discovered Wildfoods (@discovered_foods)
Westholme
Their holistic production approach delivers high-quality Wagyu with a signature flavour that conscious chefs and consumers around the world crave.
Nature-Led Australian Wagyu by Westholme (@westholme).
The custom hat experience: Will & Bear
At the heart of the day was the Will & Bear custom hat experience. Each guest was gifted a Will & Bear hat and invited to make it their own with a custom style kit. The styling station quickly became a hub of laughter, creativity, and storytelling as guests shared ideas and personalised their pieces. The Buck Cream cowboy hat stood out as the favourite of the day — versatile, timeless, and the perfect canvas for self-expression. These hats became more than accessories; they became symbols of the afternoon, carrying the spirit of the Wild Table beyond the garden.
Shop: Buck Cream cowboy hat • Cowboy hats collection
Music
As plates filled and glasses clinked, live acoustic music drifted across the garden. Performed by Colin from Musos Entertainment, the set was both soulful and light, perfectly complementing the rhythm of the afternoon. The music created a backdrop that allowed conversation to flow, lifting the energy without ever overwhelming it. From upbeat tunes to softer melodies, the soundtrack helped guests settle deeper into the moment, their feet tapping under the long table.
Musos Entertainment — @musosent • musosent.com
Musician — @colinbullock • colinbulockmusic.com
Natural wines
No long lunch is complete without the right wine, and Giorgio De Maria Fun Wines curated an array of natural drops that felt alive in the glass. The wines were unpretentious yet complex, pairing beautifully with the smoky flavours from the fire. Guests discovered new favourites as they passed bottles down the table, their glasses catching the sunny winter's day light. It was wine designed for sharing, for leaning into conversation, and for extending the afternoon long past its official end.
Giorgio De Maria Fun Wines — @giorgiodemaria_fun_wines • giorgiodemaria.com
Long table styling
The table itself was styled by Frank & Joy. Their design blurred the line between rustic and refined, creating a space that felt effortless but thoughtful. Hats rested on chairs, cutlery glinted in the fading sun, and small details — from personalised question cards to earthenware vessels — encouraged guests to look closer, slow down, and appreciate the craft in front of them.
Frank & Joy — @frankandjoy • frankandjoy.com.au
The vibe of the day
Beyond the food, music, hats and setting, it was the atmosphere that defined the Wild Table Byron Bay long lunch. Strangers leaned in as friends, laughter rolled down the table, and creativity buzzed as hats were customised and wines shared. The combination of open-fire cooking, natural surrounds, and Byron’s relaxed energy made it feel like more than just a meal; it was a celebration of community. The day held a rare kind of magic, the kind that lingers long after the last glass is emptied and the coals have cooled.
The first of many
Wild Table was born from a simple idea: to create something meaningful, grounded, and joyful — a reminder that some of the best moments in life are found outdoors, around a table, with good people.
This is just the beginning.
