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. 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.
Leave the frenetic pace of city life behind for a weekend of relaxation and entertainment on the Central Coast.
Home to more than 40 idyllic beaches, an eco-certified wilderness and a burgeoning hospitality scene, the Central Coast is a favoured holiday destination for good reason. Located just 90 minutes north of Sydney, you can easily enjoy a day trip here. But with so much to offer, this coastal haven deserves at least a weekend of your time – especially when a stay at Encore by Mingara makes lingering so effortless.
Here’s how to spend a memorable weekend on the Central Coast discovering its best offerings.
Day 1
Afternoon
Savour a slow morning before heading home.
Holiday mode can be switched on as soon as you check into Encore by Mingara, a centrally located boutique hotel in Tumbi Umbi. Loved for its sleek rooms, diverse offerings and unbeatable location, in 2026 the property even received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Taking cues from its coastal surrounds, the hotel’s design is luxurious yet welcoming. A sophisticated palette of ocean blues, ochre and sand tones is complemented by light joinery and punctuated by abstract artworks by the hotel’s artist in residence,Sarah Isbel Hill.
As the hotel is conveniently found in the Mingara Destination Precinct, you can spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the property’s impressive offerings. Energise the body at Mingara Recreation Club – complete with a world-class gym and Olympic-sized swimming pool – or pop into one of many restaurants or bars. You can also grab a wine from the bottle shop to imbibe in the comfort of your luxurious Harmony or Bravo suite; these generously sized rooms feature plush king beds, separate lounge spaces and dedicated working areas.
Evening
Treat yourself to an evening of great food and cocktails.
There’s no need to venture out when your hotel gives you access to fantastic dining options. Allow plenty of time to savour the culinary dishes at modern Australian restaurant, Hadley’s. Helmed by chef Peter Streckfuss, the relaxed eatery’s menu spans rib-sticking bites such as wood-fired pizzas and chicken parmigiana through to premium meats and fresh seafood. Pair them with the solid line-up of Australian and international wines.
Mosey over to Hadley’s Bar for a post-dinner nightcap. The stylish cocktail lounge’s mixologists shake up masterful tipples using the bar’s extensive spirit collection, as well as pouring local craft beers and fine wines.
Day 2
Morning
Explore the Central Coast’s great outdoors. (Image: Destination NSW)
With so much happening onsite, it’s tempting to stay put, but early birds can start their day by catching the sunrise at nearby Toowoon Bay, where a vivid display of warm tones is reflected in the calm waters.
Back at Mingara Recreation Club, top up your caffeine levels and try treats including scrolls, cakes, scones and tarts at The Roasted Berry. Or settle in for smashed avo or a mushroom bruschetta.
Fuelled and ready to go, spend some time exploring the Central Coast’s natural beauty. The region is a playground for outdoor lovers who can discover the Brisbane Water National Park, a haven for hiking, cycling and fishing. The 12,000-hectare reserve features stunning waterfalls, including the three-tiered Somersby Falls, and vantage points such as the Staples Lookout, which offers panoramic vistas of Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay.
Afternoon
Sip the flavours of Distillery Botanica. (Image: Destination NSW)
A well-deserved lunch in the garden at Distillery Botanica awaits just a 20-minute drive away. The brainchild of herbalist and master distiller Philip Moore, this innovative distillery is found in a lush landscape and produces a range of botanically infused craft spirits. Tuck into bruschetta, toasted sandwiches and charcuterie boards, paired with standout concoctions like the Framboise Martini with Botanica Vodka or Botanica Raspberry Liqueur, vanilla, lime and pineapple.
Evening
Head back to Encore by Mingara to freshen up for dinner at the onsite restaurant, Ming Dragon. The Chinese eatery offers a traditional yum cha experience with succulent favourites such as sweet and sour pork and steamed prawn dumplings.
End the night on a high note with entertainment at Mingara Recreation Club. The jam-packed schedule includes live music, major touring acts and big-name tribute band performances, such as Live Baby Live: The INXS Tribute Show.
Morning
Enjoy breakfast at The Roasted Berry.
The dreamy rooms at Encore by Mingara make sleeping in a little too easy, so take the morning at your own pace with a lie-in and a final swim or a yoga or pilates class. Amble down to The Roasted Berry for another delicious breakfast before your departure.
Afternoon
End your escape with a pearl farm visit. (Image: Destination NSW)
Another highlight of the Central Coast is the Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the Lower Hawkesbury River, a must-visit on your way home. Head to their ‘shellar door’ and join a tour out on the water, where you’ll discover their working oyster leases and indulge in the freshest Australian Akoya, Angasi and Sydney rock oysters. You’ll also get to witness a live pearl harvest and learn the fine art of pearl grading. Those with an appetite can also enjoy a gourmet grazing lunch while soaking up scenic river views. Commemorate the weekend with an elegant pearl memento from the farm’s shop.
