Avana Byron was built by hand. Literally. Founded by Alex Southcombe, much of the property has been constructed by him himself, drawing on years running his own building company in Sydney.

But building things has always been about more than construction. He spent years leading groups of students into remote communities across Africa, the Amazon, and Fiji, building houses in villages, running education and conservation programs, and learning what it looks like when a place is designed to genuinely change people. Across 55 countries, he saw how many different ways there are to live and thrive in this life.

He also knows what it feels like when that falls apart. Alex has lived through periods of disconnection and grief, and the slow erosion that comes from chasing a life that doesn't fit. He doesn't talk about transformation as a concept. He talks about it because he's had to find his way back.

The most powerful shift came when he found his way to Wim Hof's work. The idea that something as simple as cold water, breath, and a strong mindset could have such a profound impact on wellbeing just clicked. He trained alongside Wim extensively, became an instructor, and went on to teach with him around the world. He's honoured to call Wim a dear friend and mentor.

But what makes Avana truly extraordinary is the story underneath it. The creation of this property brought Alex's parents, who had been divorced, together around a shared vision for the land. None of them expected what followed. The project became something bigger than the build itself. It became reconciliation, a shared purpose, and a family finding its way back to each other through a piece of earth.

Today, following the loss of his father to illness, Alex continues this dream alongside his mother and brother. Every day of work on this land honors that shared vision and the deep bonds that made it possible.

The property itself has been intentionally shaped around transformation. Glamping tents set among 5 acres, a wood-fired sauna, ice baths, and space designed to help people return to themselves.

Avana is already hosting Wim Hof retreats, group accommodations, and day-long festivals, and the vision is bigger than what stands here today. This land is meant to be a foundation for community, a place where retreats, gatherings, and experiences create meaningful impact.

Avana Byron is a living testament to what is possible when heart, vision, family, and nature come together to create something lasting.