When Raes Guesthouses opened its doors on Wategos Beach in November 2024, it was poised to offer a seamless blend of bohemian luxury and coastal serenity. Just four months later, ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through Byron Bay, temporarily closing the boutique property.

But as general manager Marty McCaig notes, the damage was minor. “The cyclone brought some strong winds but, fortunately, the impact was minimal here,” he says. “With the cleanup now complete, we’re open again and thankful to be back to business as usual.” And with that, the boho-chic haven is welcoming visitors once more to experience the Raes charm at full force.