Australian Gourmet Traveller – (02)February 2019 (1)

142 GOURMET TRAVELLER

one of the most deft and charismatic sommelier-

maîtres d’ in the land, and Rob Mudge ties it all

together with cocktails that are as crisp as they are

powerful. Beware:Fleet is dangerously habit-forming.

2/16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads, (02) 6685 1363,

fleet-restaurant.com.au

STAY

Raes on Wategos

Is there a better located place to stay in the Bay?

Or anywhere on the east coast of Australia? To the

uninitiated, Wategos is a small surf beach around the

heads from Byron Bay itself. To the initiated it’s simply

heaven, a place you can’t wait to get back to. Raes is

a seven-room hotel that opens almost directly onto

the sand. It doesn’t want for personality, but its recent

renovation has peeled back the layers to the essentials

• hip, comfortable rooms, obliging service, an exquisite
  location – while adding appealing new touches such
  as uniforms by Melbourne designer Lucy Folk and
  a cellar bar that opens onto the drive.6-8 Marine Pde,
  Byron Bay, (02) 6685 5366, raes.com.au

28 Degrees

Few places in the Northern Rivers combine an

ultra-central location with privacy, gorgeous aesthetics

and comfort as seamlessly as this beautifully designed

guesthouse. Low-key where you want it, but carefully

furnished with everything needed for a rejuvenating

stay, 28 Degrees ought to be the blueprint for beach-

house living. The minibar is loaded with Big River

milk, farmers’ market fruit, coconut water, Barambah

Organics yoghurt and muesli from Ballina café

The Belle General. The only thing better than

owner Deb Garske’s eye for detail is her rhubarb

compote.12 Marvell St, Byron Bay, (02) 6685 7775,

28byronbay.com.au

Halcyon House

The danger with Halcyon House, of course, is that

it’s so very tempting not to leave. Where design hotels

are frequently chilly, and furnished with eateries

serving food that privileges aesthetics over taste, this

former surf hotel ticks all the boxes in style. Anna

Spiro’s design is plush without ever being mumsy,

while manager Mauro Riso instils in his staff a manner

that is savvy without being showy. It’s the kind of

place where Austen, Maugham, Zweig and Murdoch

rub shoulders happily on bookshelves with Collins,

Koontz, Courtenay and Ludlum. The property also

has a kitchen that’s all about freshness of flavour

and a quiet thoughtfulness that runs from sunny

breakfasts to elegant dining to poolside snacks

to room service.Give our regards to Elliott, the

resident water monitor.21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita

Beach, (02) 6676 1444, halcyonhouse.com.au●

From top: a private

plunge pool at

28 Degrees;

surf’s up; inside

28 Degrees.

Opposite: a

penthouse at

Raes on Wategos.