A soft modernist build and fine art-saturated styling create pure tranquillity in the heart of NSW’s busiest beach town.
A whip-crack siren call of the Eastern Whipbird. More birdsong, weaving in and out of rolling mountains. Glorious, uncluttered walking space. Have I time-machined back to pre-Hemsworth Byron? It feels like another world inside The Bonobo by Raes, Byron Bay’s newest hotel from the team behind Raes at Wategos, a local hospitality stalwart.
Meet The Bonobo by Raes – a seriously stylish stay where blonde-brick brutalism meets lush subtropical gardens, playful Bauhaus-inspired interiors and dreamy rooftop pool days. Right in the heart of Byron, it’s the kind of place that makes checking in feel like part of the holiday.
Checking in among the hotel’s very first guests, I slide into a sophisticated overnight sanctuary unlike any other in the neighbourhood.
The sparkling rooftop pool will also feature a bar come spring 2026.
Where is The Bonobo by Raes?
It’s extremely central, right on Johnson Street, so you can wander (barefoot, to mirror Thor himself) up to Main Beach, one of the best beaches in Byron Bay, as well as some of the best local restaurants. It’s about 35 kilometres from Ballina Airport and 100 kilometres from the Gold Coast.
Design and style
The exterior of Bonobo by Raes.
The brutalist building has been designed by Queensland design firm Richards and Spence.
The open-air multi-tiered courtyard at Bonobo by Raes.
Utterly chic across all three levels of contemporary blonde brick-brutalism. Another masterstroke by Queensland design firm Richards and Spence, best known for Brisbane’s James Street precinct and delivering The Calile, The Bonobo by Raes cultivates a rich subtropical rainforest just a couple of doors down from Woolworths. An open-air, tiered courtyard, dotted with fresh grass, palms, ferns and a sunken spread of about 20 outdoor tables, sends verdant natural life skywards, ever-so-cleverly thawing the blocky, bare materiality of upper levels and the wider build.
The lobby features Bauhaus-inspired interiors.
Sydney and Melbourne interiors company Studio Manifold designed the lush interiors.
The lobby stocks pre-mixed Brookie’s cocktails in exclusive collaboration with Cape Byron Distillery.
Then, there’s my favourite puzzle piece — the outstanding foyer, resplendent with pop colour Bauhaus-inspired interiors spanning geometric rugs, striped drapery, block-coloured coffee table books and a bespoke collection of pre-mixed Brookie’s cocktails in exclusive collaboration with Cape Byron Distillery. It is such a brilliantly excessive mishmash of eye candy, balanced with precise restraint by Sydney and Melbourne interiors company Studio Manifold, that it looks like a film set. I immediately want to gut my own living room and snap-lock the shagadelic fit-out into its place because it screams good times.
The room
The kitchen and living room open onto a spacious terrace.
I stay in room 211, a Two Bedroom Residence with hinterland views and, again, more dreamy interiors and furniture. Blonde-butterscotch cabinetry with ultra-chunky handles, custom Jardan lounge and dining pieces in walnut timber and soft pastels, stone benchtops illuminated with appliances from Breville’s ‘An Aboriginal Culinary Journey’ collection, and original artworks by Sulman prize-winning artist Doris Bush create photo-worthy vignettes at most corners. Additionally, the open-plan living and dining rolls through sliding glass doors to a balcony with a custom MCM House six-person outdoor dining table. Tucked away in the corner is a spiral staircase that leads to a private terrace with sunlounges, another plush dining table, and easy access to the rooftop pool (more on that below).
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AI Prompt
The bathroom features a freestanding bathtub.
Bathrooms also feature a rainshower.
The living space of the Hotel Residence opens onto a spacious balcony.
The sundrenched terrace features a custom MCM House six-person outdoor dining table.
The Hotel Residence kitchens are stocked with thoughtful details such as a bamboo matcha whisk and bowl.
A spiral staircase leads to a private terrace for lounging in the sun.
Inside the Hotel Room.
Like most, I’m a sucker for the little in-room details. I love the Raes Dining Room’s Sparkling Water and the restaurant’s signature Perrier-Jouët bubbles in the fridge, the Bonobo by Raes-branded tea bag canister in the cupboard, and the branded dishwashing liquid in the drawer. A bamboo matcha whisk and bowl, POTTR by Sam Gordon coffee and espresso mugs, Le Labo bathroom amenities (plus the Le Labo Santal 33 scent throughout the hotel), and Villeroy & Boch bathroom tapware (including perfect-pressure rain shower heads) make me smile, too.
The facilities
A rooftop pool
The perfect spot for a sundowner.
I’ve mentally locked in another visit to The Bonobo by Raes in spring 2026 when its rooftop bar will swing into action, but the rooftop pool that currently dazzles atop level three fills my cup in the meantime. While the water itself is conveniently heated during my winter visit, mint-green market umbrellas and spacious soft-cushion day beds offer views out to those spectacular surrounding mountains. At one end of the space, there’s also a gorgeous red and brown striped lounge and low-slung checkerboard-inspired mosaic table if you can peel yourself away from horizontal lazing to mingle.
Watch the sunset from the rooftop.
The heated pool is bordered by a selection of spacious soft-cushion day beds.
Take in the surrounding mountain views.
A restaurant and bar
The Lobby Bar is the hotel’s all-day dining venue.
Lobby Bar is a super relaxed, all-day dining space just a few steps away from the check-in counter. Led by head chef Callum Gray, in cahoots with Raes Dining Room’s executive chef Jason Saxby, the restaurant serves a la carte breakfast (not included in a stay) and creamy coffee care of St. Ali beans. I take advantage of the bar at dinner, slurping down a signature banana negroni far too quickly before a pork cotoletta, beautifully dusted with excessive ricotta, melts in my mouth. I also smear far too much of a burnt cauliflower butter over my fluffy sourdough side dish, but such is life.
It’s worth noting that all meals throughout the property, including the in-room dining menu that runs from 12pm to 9pm, come out of this kitchen so you can expect quality feeds wherever you’re relaxing.
A wellness centre
Another facility at The Bonobo by Raes I sadly missed out on, RESET is scheduled to open in early September 2026 — a bathhouse that will also offer contrast therapy, a steam room, spa treatments, vitamin C-infused showers and more. A beach break without day spa decadence just isn’t a beach break in my book, so I kept things in the family during my visit with a 90-minute ‘Cocoon’ body treatment over at Raes on Wategos. Let me tell you, if that’s where these guys set their wellness bar, expect muscle-melting excellence on-site soon.
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Does The Bonobo by Raes cater to guests with access needs?
Guests with access needs are welcomed at The Bonobo by Raes, with a lift dedicated to transferring wheelchairs and prams up to above-ground levels including the rooftop pool. Once you’re up there, a pool hoist can also be arranged.
As for accessible rooms, some residences do offer formally recognised access-friendly fit-outs, so guests with queries should speak directly to the team when booking.
Is The Bonobo by Raes family-friendly?
A fully-equipped kitchen makes The Bonobo by Raes a family-friendly stay.
It sure is, and I especially love the ‘Little Foodies’ in-room dining menu, which includes Gelato Messina ice-cream, for complete family-friendly ease. The Bonobo by Raes’ multi-bedroom Residences are the ultimate pick when it comes to room selection (hello, full kitchens and huge fridges), while interconnecting configurations make life even easier if your clan needs all the space.
Who is The Bonobo for?
Design-obsessed couples and families looking for serenity in the heart of Byron Bay.
How much does a room at The Bonobo cost?
Hotel rooms start at $355 per night, which includes off-street parking. There’s a secure undercover car park, complimentary wi-fi and breakfast for a fee inside Lobby Bar.
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Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.
Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.
Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.
1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side
Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.
2. There’s a booming arts scene
Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.
Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.
3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise
In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.
4. The dining scene is unbeatable
Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.
Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.
5. There are hidden coves and waterways
Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)
There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.
6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise
Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)
Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.
7. The lake has islands
Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.
Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.
