Sydney Harbour overnight

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Sydney has a new and exciting place to stay. Manly Quarantine Station — now known as Q Station — now welcomes guests, who are rewarded with superb views of Sydney Heads and the harbour.

The North Head site was chosen as a quarantine station because it was the first safe anchorage point inside the heads, it was sufficiently isolated from the centre of Sydney and natural springs ensured a water supply.

From the 1830s to 1984 migrant ships suspected of having passengers with contagious diseases, stopped at the station and off-loaded passengers and crew to protect local residents. They stayed an average time of 40 days.

These days the 30-hectare national park site has more comfortable accommodation choices. There are Harbour View rooms with standard, deluxe and personal deluxe options. Garden View rooms come in standard, deluxe, personal deluxe and shared standard. Secluded Harbour View and Harbour View Premium Cottages are former staff quarters.

All 74 rooms have queen beds, furnished verandas and flat-screen television. There are also seven meeting rooms. Guests are able to dine indoors at Boilerhouse Restaurant on Quarantine Beach, or al fresco overlooking the harbour.

Location

Q Station at Manly in Sydney's north.

Cost

Q Rooms start at $190 for a garden-view ensuite room. Breakfast is included. They offer a water shuttle service aboard the 21m cruiser Reef Goddess on Saturdays and Sundays. They operate from Manly and The Rocks.

Prices correct at October 9, 2008.