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A floating restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club will bring Mediterranean vibes to Sydney Harbour this summer

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Coastal Italian fare, a martini trolley and plush daybeds await.

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to enjoy summer in Sydney is on a boat on the harbour. Now, a new restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club aboard a superyacht is set to take things up a notch, promising to bring Mediterranean vibes aplenty to the sparkling city. In a world-first, Solaré offers three levels of distinct hospitality venues, each designed for sun-soaked days filled with long lunches and relaxed drinks.

Meet Solaré – a floating restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club cruising Sydney Harbour with coastal Italian plates, a roaming martini trolley and plush daybeds made for long, lazy afternoons.

The venues will showcase Australian produce through a coastal Italian lens from Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (ex Totti’s Bondi and Ortiga) and Head Chef Nick Mathieson (ex Bistecca, Otto and Compa) and refined tipples to keep the good times rolling.  

A yacht on Sydney Harbour on a sunny day with the Opera House in the background
Solaré is a world-first: a restaurant, cocktail bar, and beach club onboard a superyacht. (Image: Supplied)

Each level takes cues from Europe’s iconic beach clubs, channelling retro Mediterranean glamour with a palette of sunshine yellow, burnt orange, burgundy, olive green and teal. Hardwood teak and luxurious green marble are further elevated by retro-style commissioned artworks by Daimon Downey, Jeremy Kay and Tiarna Herczeg. 

A green bar trolley with a retro artwork behind it.
Order elevated martinis from the glamorous Martini Trolley. (Image: Jonny Valiant)

On level one, the Dining Room offers a sophisticated sitting space for long lunches while admiring the harbour views. The menu features polished plates such as reginette with Moreton Bay bug, crustacean butter and chilli; a potato scallop topped with caviar; and lemon myrtle and amaro pound cake finished with pistachio and ricotta. Solaré’s signature Martini Trolley will also wheel its way around to keep the drinks flowing.

Italian-inspired bites and drinks
Savour coastal Italian fare. (Image: Jonny Valiant)

For a more relaxed affair, head upstairs to The Terrace Bar to indulge in small bites such as zucchini flower with ricotta and goat’s cheese; spaghettini with spanner crab, tomato, chilli and garlic; and Amalfi lemon and mascarpone sorbetto. These are to be paired with punchy cocktails, including the Veluto Frozen Daiquiri with Amaro Montenegro, Red Mill Coconut Rum, mango, banana and lime or the Mirror Margarita with Don Julio Blanco, salted lemon, tangerine and lime leaf.

Head upstairs again to the Sun Deck, fitted with beach umbrellas, where you can enjoy the same menu while relaxing on day beds or in VIP booths, all with panoramic views of Sydney’s skyline.

The sun deck of a yacht with orange daybeds and yellow beach umbrellas.
Enjoy sun-drenched days from the Sun Deck. (Image: Jonny Valiant)

“Solaré is about reimagining what’s possible on Sydney Harbour," said Founder Scott Robertson. “We’ve created a world-first, a restaurant, cocktail bar, and beach club onboard a 150-foot superyacht designed entirely around leisure. It is a completely new way to experience the city. We wanted to capture the carefree spirit of the Mediterranean, long lunches, relaxing on a daybed, cocktails in the sunshine, and the simple pleasure of slowing down as you drift between decks."

A martini and a glass of bubbles with caviar, crips and crème fraiche
Indulge in the Caviar Martini with Belvedere Vodka and dry vermouth, with potato crisps, crème fraiche and caviar. (Image: Jonny Valiant)

Ready to celebrate summer in style? Solaré will set sail around Sydney Harbour twice daily, Thursday to Sunday, starting October 30th.

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.