Sydney‘s sauna pop-up is the ultimate winter solstice celebration

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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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
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.

Q Station in Manly
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!

Cedar & Salt sauna in Sydney
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.

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Taylah Darnell
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 check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    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.