What’s happening in the world of Qantas – and beyond
The recent revamp of an iconic Australian retreat is a great excuse to head to the northern NSW town, writes Di Webster.
Friday
Skip the centre of the wildly popular beach town, make your way to Wategos (arguably one of Australia’s prettiest beaches, about five kilometres from Byron Bay) and check in to the ultra-boutique and gloriously revamped Raes on Wategos retreat (raes.com.au). The whitewashed icon, which sits on a manicured lawn behind the sand, has just seven “rooms”
– a villa, two penthouses and four suites – plus a breezy restaurant overlooking the beach. When you’ve finished instagramming your room (Penthouse 1 has a four-poster bed, a sunken bath and a David Bromley mural), go downstairs and order a blood orange vodka cocktail while you peruse the small but exquisitely balanced menu. Note: Share plates are for human guests, not the lurking kookaburra.
Saturday
You’re going for a walk so lace up your sneakers, grab a coffee and a muffin for energy from the Soul Kitchen food truck outside Raes and head off to the famous Byron Bay lighthouse. On your way up to the most easterly point of the Australian mainland (take a snap with the sign, of course) you’re likely to spot whales, dolphins and no end of surfers. Use what reserves you have left to follow the nature trail down to The Pass Cafe (thepasscafe.com.au) overlooking the famous surf break and tuck into a nourish bowl for brunch (though it looks too pretty to eat) or do the sums on the calories you’ve burned and opt for a gourmet bacon and egg roll. There’s a sign on the café wall that says, “Cheer up, slow down, chill out.” Do as you’re told.
What you need after all that huffing and puffing is a soothing massage (there are just two treatment rooms at Raes so book ahead). On a weekend of indulgence, The Cleopatra – which includes a back, scalp, hand and foot massage and dreamy facial – is almost compulsory. Blissfully relaxed, pop the cork on a champagne in your room then make your way to Beach Byron Bay restaurant (beachbyronbay.com.au). It sits on the dunes of Clarkes Beach, a five-minute drive or 30-minute walk away; the good folks at Raes may even drive you if you give them notice. The menu focuses on seasonal and locally sourced produce such as seared beef carpaccio, chargrilled fish, buffalo mozzarella and tasty tomatoes from nearby Coopers Shoot.
Sunday
You may be going home but you’re on Byron time and the last thing you want to do is rush. Slip into swimmers, slide your feet into thongs and wander over to Wategos. Stroll from end to end as the rising sun casts a glow over the sand and let the gentle waves lap at your toes. Or, if you’re getting peckish, dive straight in, towel off and head back to Rae’s beachside restaurant for apple and macadamia granola with coconut yoghurt or avocado toast, snow peas and chilli – Byron Bay on a plate. Tuck a frangipani behind your ear – you’re leaving Byron, it doesn’t have to leave you.