Review: The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

What it’s like to spend the night inside Sydney’s gorgeous heritage-listed former General Post Office.

An impressive 151 years ago, Sydney’s General Post Office (GPO) had its grand opening at No.1 Martin Place. Crafted from Sydney sandstone, the heritage-listed building no longer has the main function of sending letters; instead, its Victorian Italian grandeur is carefully preserved by The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

The back story

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney — Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

In 1874, Sydney’s General Post Office (GPO) opened as a link to communicating with the rest of the world, both by mail and telegraph. Designed by the Colonial Architect for NSW, James Barnett, the current building was constructed in two stages from 1866 to 1892.

The undertaking was an ambitious one, including many intricate sculptures – one featuring Queen Victoria – with an overall look that blended heritage and Victorian Italian Renaissance style, while still in keeping with the building’s international practicality.

After a refurbishment in the 90s, and being sold in 2017, it now houses The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, along with retail outlets and a (much smaller) Australia Post shop. Despite the changes, the hotel has worked hard to preserve the GOP’s historic grandeur.

First impressions

The room

the fullerton hotel modern tower room on level 28 — The modern tower offers great views over the CBD.

The hotels’ 416 guest rooms and suites are spread across both the GPO heritage building and the modern tower, offering a range of options from sweeping city views to heritage decor and original historic details, like marble fireplaces and the postmaster’s writing desk from the 1870s.

I was in the modern tower, with a view overlooking George Street. The room is spacious, yet cosy. Despite its modernity, neutral tones and a marble-look bathroom still maintain a classic feel. A full-sized desk, a comfortable leather lounge chair, spacious cupboard space, a Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker, a Vittoria coffee machine and a generous-sized TV make the space more than just a bedroom.

The bed itself is soft and comfortable for a peaceful night’s sleep, but my favourite feature was definitely the large bath (with enough length for my six-foot self). The entire bathroom is separated by a large glass window with an automatic blind – wind up for bathing with a view (or to watch a movie on TV), wind down for privacy. Bath salts are offered as a bathroom amentity, which was a lovely touch. While the Balmain bathroom collection is offered in pump bottles for shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Behind separate glass doors, a toilet and rain shower also fit into this large space.

The facilities

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Fitness Centre

Open 24 hours a day to guests and located on level six, the hotel’s fitness centre features top-of-the-range equipment including treadmills, free weights and strength training equipment.

Guests can book a personal training session with Acero trainers at the fitness centre by enquiring with the concierge or through the Acero One Community app.

GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place (once the main entrance to the GPO) to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. These latter features are part of the 1880s-era facade, and each represents different states, countries and continents.

The Fullerton Club Lounge

Stay on the hotel’s club floors for access to The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. It’s something of an oasis, open for a daily continental, light refreshments throughout the day and pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. All served with views of the city skyline.

There’s also a wide-screen television, a selection of daily newspapers, free WiFi and exclusive use of the hotel’s private boardroom.

The food and drink

The Place

A level above the lobby, in an atrium overlooking The Bar, onsite restaurant The Place offers dishes featuring the best of Australia’s fresh and homegrown seafood, vegetables and meats. These can be tried on their own or as one of their signature tasting platters for a little bit of everything.

Dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with South-East Asian signature dishes, like chicken satay. My personal favourite was the Thai-style green curry. It was fairly mild as far as curries go, but absolutely not lacking in taste.

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The Bar

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails and tasty treats (although it certainly does that well). What it’s really known for is the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to Victorian tea traditions and served in a high tea style. Think cucumber sandwiches, stuffed boiled eggs and Apple Charlotte, but all with an elevated twist. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Personally, I can never go passed a good scone. But my other favourite was hands-down the Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding).

Above us, the GOP building’s iconic clock tower overlooked the space, separated from us by a glass atrium roof. Soft brown-leather chairs added to the classic decor.

The crowd was a mix of those who had dressed up for a special occasion and a few more casual diners. While we ate, a pianist sat down at the on-site grand piano behind our table and began playing the classics. It just added the old-world feel.

The location

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

The location of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney couldn’t possibly be more central, right at the start of the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions.

Details

Address: Lobby Level/1 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Website: fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

What it’s like to sleep in a 150-year-old Sydney icon

What it’s like to spend the night inside Sydney’s gorgeous heritage-listed former General Post Office.

The back story

First impressions

The room