Make the shortest day of the year the most memorable.
The rather abrupt arrival of winter in Sydney this year, brought on by a polar air mass from the south, has forced us to embrace the cold – whether we like it or not. But rather than hiding indoors, Q Station in Manly is luring Sydneysiders outside with a special pop-up sauna experience to celebrate the upcoming winter solstice.
Q Station in Manly is embracing the winter solstice. (Image: Destination NSW)
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice signifies the shortest day of the year. In Australia, it occurs when the southern hemisphere is tilted furthest from the sun on the Earth’s axis, resulting in the least amount of daylight hours. This year, the winter solstice falls on 21 June.
For lovers of winter, it’s the perfect excuse to revel in the season’s magic; crisp air, cosy activities and cool nights. Prefer summer? The day also marks the start of Earth’s slow rotation back towards the light (and warmth). So no matter what weather you favour, there’s cause for celebration.
How is Q Station celebrating?
Q Station in Manly is inviting you to make the most of the shortest day of the year with its Winter Solstice celebrations . It’s all relaxation and rejuvenation, with everything from yoga sessions and ice baths to dinner buffets and glögg (Nordic mulled wine) to soothe those winter blues.
But the day’s main drawcard is a luxurious pop-up sauna, courtesy of Cedar & Salt . Perched on the wharf, it’s the perfect place for a bit of R&R. Watch ferries pass by on Sydney Harbour as you cleanse your body, mind and soul in the Finnish steam room on wheels.
The wharf at Q Station is perfect for ferry watching.
The rise of wellness travel has seen self-care-based experiences pop up across the country, from Tasmania’s swoon-worthy sauna trail to hotels dedicated to healing. But for some, finding the time (and money) to book them is a different story. Q Station’s pop-up sauna is a happy medium – an indulgent wellness experience just a stone’s throw from Sydney’s CBD, with prices starting at just $45 per person.
But that’s not all. After sweating it out in the sauna, nourish your body with lunch at onsite restaurant, Boilerhouse . Or join a yoga class backed by a live DJ set. Maybe you’d rather a soothing sound healing session? Or brave an ice bath before warming up with a Scandinavian buffet. Q Station is squeezing it all into just one day – the shortest of the year, at that!
Treat yourself to a harbourside sauna experience this winter.
While many time slots on 21 June have already been booked, there are still a handful available at midday, 1 pm and 3 pm. If you miss out, fear not. Q Station will be running sauna sessions until the end of August. To maximise accessibility, sauna experiences are communal, but group reservations can be booked.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
What else is on this winter?
Don’t confine your seasonal celebrations to a single day – Q Station certainly isn’t! The party continues at Rise Manly , the Sydney venue’s very own winter festival. Unfolding across 10 days from 20–29 June, guests can enjoy history tours, dining experiences, guided nature walks and, of course, sauna sessions. Not in Sydney? No stress! There are plenty of exciting winter festivals happening all over the country, so nobody has to miss out.
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.
Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.
Where to stay
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.
Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.
Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.
Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.
Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.
The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.
Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.
Where to drink & dine
1. The Bar
Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .
Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.
The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.
On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.
Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce.
2. The Place
Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.
On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.
3. Local gelato
Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)
What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.
What to do/see
1. GPO Heritage Tour
Be awed by the building’s history.
Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute 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, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.
2. Circular Quay
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)
An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.
It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.
4. Theatre Royal
Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)
Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).
