Raes on Wategos is a accommodation in Wategos Beach, NSW, Australia, with a price range of $$$$. It has a 4.5/5 rating from 775 Google reviews. Contact: 02 6685 5366. Website: https://raes.com.au.Listed on thegood.guide, the local's guide to Byron Bay.





Wategos Beach · Accommodation
(775 reviews)
$$$$
The only accommodation that sits directly on Wategos Beach, which is already doing a lot of the work. Raes is a small, Mediterranean-style property with a handful of rooms and suites, each oriented toward the water. The restaurant here has long been a destination in its own right, so staying means you don't have to compete for a table or a parking spot on Marine Parade. At this price point, you're paying for position as much as anything else: waking up to one of Byron's most sheltered, least chaotic beaches before the day-trippers arrive. Book well ahead. Rooms at this end of the market move early, and Wategos fills fast across school holidays and long weekends.
Contact the business for opening hours.
I came for dinner and had the taster menu and what a fantastic experience all round! The staff are incredibly friendly, knowledgable and passionate about the menu. Every dish was explained brilliantly, any questions I had were answered and if they couldn’t immediately, went to the chefs and came back with the answer! Every dish was incredibly well thought out, the trio of pre-starters were all wonderful, then each dish after that was hit after hit! A Wonderful experience and I’ll be back again! Thank you to the chef and the team!
Beautiful and friendly service, they clearly make the effort to go above and beyond. Perhaps it was an off day but everything we ate was too salty or too sweet for our taste. The lobster bug was cooked perfectly but we just couldn’t enjoy it because of the seasoning. That and we could pick up a salty fishy smell from the head as garnish, a little too close to the ocean for us. Although everything was plated beautifully, and it really is a wonderful setting - i would visit for drinks and snacks/fries instead in future.

Byron Bay
Forty-five acres of coastal wetland, freestanding villas pointed at the trees, and private beach access. Elements sits deliberately apart from Byron's centre. The distance from the main strip isn't a drawback; it's the whole idea.

Byron Bay
The cafe attached to one of Byron's longest-running backpacker hostels keeps things simple: filling breakfasts, casual plates, and prices that reflect the crowd. On Lawson Street, close to the beach, and open to non-guests. Unpretentious and useful.

Friday arrival to Sunday checkout, with the specific bookings, timings, and places that make a romantic Byron Bay weekend feel considered rather than improvised. From a Wategos Beach dinner to a dawn balloon flight over the hinterland, this is the two-night plan worth following.
September to November is Byron Bay at its most functional: whale pods still moving through the headland, hinterland trails in their best condition after winter rain, and accommodation priced below the Christmas cliff. Here is what to do, where to stay, and why spring is the window most visitors overlook.
Autumn is the right season for a Byron girls' trip, and the itinerary is simpler than the group chat suggests. Book the Wategos dinner table first, sort the villa second, and let the rest follow. Here is the weekend, planned properly.
Byron Bay's accommodation market doesn't apologise for its prices. Two properties sit at the absolute top — one for position, one for scale — and the gap between them tells you everything about how to choose. Here is what each luxury stay actually delivers, and which one is worth your money.
Byron Bay in winter is the version locals prefer. Whale migrations off the headland, hinterland day trips in cool clear air, wellness retreats you can actually get into, and accommodation prices that reflect the season. June through August is not the off-season. It is the right season.
We had lunch here and everything was excellent, from the service to the food. It was so refreshing to have a meal that felt genuinely different and still managed to surprise us. Given some of the other expensive dining options in the area, this felt well worth the money and stood out for the right reasons. Lovely lunch, amazing views, and a really memorable experience overall. My only regret is not doing the 7-course menu.
We had the most incredible experience at Rae’s restaurant, and a huge part of that was thanks to Amy. She was absolutely amazing from start to finish — attentive, warm, and genuinely caring. Amy made us feel so welcome and went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Her energy, professionalism, and attention to detail truly elevated our entire experience. It’s rare to come across someone who makes such a lasting impression, and Amy did exactly that. She turned a beautiful evening into something really special. Thank you again, Amy, we’ll definitely be back again!
A birthday lunch to remember at Raes on Wategos. From the moment of arrival, the experience felt special, with a warm welcome and attentive, genuine hospitality that set the tone for the afternoon. The setting was stunning, and the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere made it the perfect place to celebrate a birthday. The food was truly excellent – beautifully presented, full of flavour, and thoughtfully balanced across each course. Service throughout the lunch was superb: professional, friendly, and intuitive without ever feeling intrusive. The team anticipated needs before they were voiced, checked in at just the right moments, and added a personal touch that made the celebration feel extra special. Overall, the experience at Raes on Wategos was exceptional and turned a birthday lunch into a memorable occasion. It is a place that inspires a return visit and is highly recommended to anyone looking for a refined, memorable dining experience for a special day.
Byron Bay
A few minutes' walk from Main Beach, First Sun sits at the affordable end of Byron's accommodation spectrum without sacrificing location. Powered sites, vans, and cabins share a patch of Lawson Street real estate that most visitors pay a premium to be near.