Q Station, Manly, Sydney, Australia

Located at Sydney’s North Head, Q Station (formerly the Quarantine Station) is a large historic site within the Sydney Harbour National Park, five minutes from Manly. Along with the Sydney Opera House, it is listed on the National Estate – one level below World Heritage significance. 

From the 1830s to 1984 migrant ships arriving in Sydney with suspected contagious disease stopped inside North Head and off-loaded their passengers and crew into quarantine to protect local residents from becoming sick. In some instances, Sydney residents suspected of contagious disease were removed from their homes and quarantined with the immigrants.  Also home to a significant collection of historical Australian artifacts, Q Station houses a 170 year old collection with more than 5,000 items.

The Australian spirit was shaped by experiences of hardship and friendship forged in Quarantine Station and North Head has long been a meeting place for the Garrigal people.  Today this site pays homage to our history as well as providing a sanctuary for reflection, rejuvenation and transformation.

Q Station offers accommodation and conference facilities with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour; Defiance, an immersion theatre experience designed by founder of Carlton Lamb Productions and award winning former acting tutor at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Carlton Lamb; the Boilerhouse Restaurant situated close to the beach; paranormal tours and Destination Spa (open late 2008).

For further information call: (02) 9977 5145 or visit www.qstation.com.au

Overview

The former Quarantine Station, re-opened its doors as Q Station on ANZAC Day, April 25th, offering accommodation and conference facilities with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour; Defiance, an immersion theatre experience designed by founder of Carlton Lamb Productions and award winning former acting tutor at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Carlton Lamb; the Boilerhouse Restaurant situated close to the beach; paranormal tours and Destination Spa (open late 2008).

Set on 30 spectacular hectares, located at Sydney’s North Head near Manly, Q Station offers the unique blend of serenity and relaxation, situated only 15mins from the heart of Sydney’s CBD.  Thanks to Mawland Quarantine Station Pty Ltd and the talents of Managing Director, Max Player and General Manager, Simon McArthur and his team who have invested more than 9 years and $17.3 million into this refurbishment, Australians can reclaim and enjoy this revered national icon.  Along with the Sydney Opera House, it is listed on the National Estate – one level below World Heritage significance.

The decision made by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to lease the former Quarantine Station to a cultural tourism operator, not only removed a major cost to the government to undertake catch up conservation work and ongoing maintenance of the site, it also pays a commercial rent that can be used by the Department of Environment and Climate Change to enhance conservation in other parts of the Sydney Harbour National Park.  This decision was made when NPWS judged that they could not raise enough funds to return the Quarantine Station to a fit condition that ensured its cultural significance was maintained.  Under the new arrangement, twenty cents in every dollar collected from customers is reinvested back into conservation of Q Station or Sydney Harbour National Park.

Visitors to Q Station will be engaged by the historical relevance of its former purpose as ‘a quarantine station for contagious disease’.  From the 1830s to 1984 migrant ships arriving in Sydney with suspected contagious disease stopped inside North Head and off-loaded their passengers and crew into quarantine to protect local residents from becoming sick. In some instances, Sydney residents suspected of contagious disease were removed from their homes and quarantined with the immigrants.  Also home to a significant collection of historical Australian artifacts, Q Station houses a 170 year old collection with more than 5,000 items. 

“The Luggage Store Visitor Centre will feature about 500 heritage items that have been restored by heritage conservators, a retail outlet and an introduction to the site for booked tours and casual visitors.” said General Manager, Simon McArthur.

Memorabilia surrounds you and echoes the experiences of that time.  Chinese and English inscriptions in the sandstone wall near The Luggage Store illustrate the multicultural mix of immigrants into Australia.  The inscriptions tell tales of the segmentation between first and third class accommodation; the difference was like ‘being on holiday’ versus ‘arriving in the wild’.  For total absorption into the history of Q Station ‘as it was’ visitors are invited to Defiance, an immersion, multi-media theatre show set in the original laundry and hospital on site.  Or if you’re looking for a tactile experience and want to explore your interest in the paranormal there are several tours and activities to satiate your appetite.

Visitors to Q Station will be instantly relaxed and on their path to rejuvenation, just by being there.  The sweeping harbour views, spectacular sunsets and lull of the sea can’t help but calm even the most anxious nerves.   Q Station is the perfect getaway. Whether you’re on your own, with your partner or in a group, various activities such as early morning jogs, kayaking and tranquil bushwalks will keep you entertained.  Alternately those looking for quiet time to soul search can wander the grounds and take company in the local wildlife and marine environment.

Eco-Friendly and Heritage-Friendly Refurbishment of Q Station

Forecasts independently validated by two companies, Colliers International for the Commonwealth Bank and Price Waterhouse Coopers for the State Government, anticipate approximately 100,000 visitors in its first full year of operation.  There will be approximately 60 people employed by the business, predominantly across the accommodation, food and beverage and tours businesses.

The decision made by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to lease the former Quarantine Station to a cultural tourism operator, not only removed a major cost to the government to undertake catch up conservation work and ongoing maintenance of the site, it also pays a commercial rent that can be used by the Department of Environment and Climate Change to enhance conservation in other parts of the Sydney Harbour National Park.  This decision was made when NPWS judged that they could not raise enough funds to return the Quarantine Station to a fit condition that ensured its cultural significance was maintained.

Environmental care is of utmost importance to all parties, to ensure minimal impact across the site, specifically on local wildlife and the marine environment.  Particular care is given to maintaining the natural habitats of the local population of the Manly Little Penguin colony, Long-nosed Bandicoots and Sea Grass, as well as awareness of North Head’s importance to the local Aboriginal community, the Garrigal people.  Twenty cents in every dollar collected from customers is reinvested back into conservation of Q Station or Sydney Harbour National Park.

Transforming Q Station from its former purpose as ‘a quarantine station for contagious disease’, into its current state has seen more than $5.8 million in construction costs, $3.3 million in FF&E costs and $8.1 million in development costs injected into the project.

The total construction cost of $5.8 million is modest because there are no new buildings being built - the project is more a refurbishment than a construction or development.  Approximately $4 million is being spent on pure conservation catch up works to arrest years of neglect.

Approximately $3.3 million is being spent on refurbishment, spread across accommodation, food and beverage and spa fit outs. The $8 million in development costs represent a significant $4 million in environmental assessment and lease costs incurred before lease activation, and a further $4 million in product development and project management.

The three single biggest product investments are going into adaptation of the former boilerhouse into a restaurant, adaptation of the former luggage store into a visitor centre and the creation of an immersion theatre concept, entitled Defiance.

The project is funded through a $9 million debt facility from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, $1 million in leasing and $7 million in private equity. Approximately $1 million of interest is capitalised until the business is completed. The equity partners are all Australian and most are already shareholders of the Blue Mountains Hotel School and various hotels and property investments.

The Head Lease will operate for an initial term of 21 years and have two options to extend the term by a further 15 years and 9 years. The options are within the Lessee’s control, provided it has not caused environmental damage and a second environmental approval is obtained prior to the conclusion of the first 21 year term.

Moveable Heritage

Q Station is home to more than 5,000 historic items spanning 170 years old.  Curator, Anna Williams is currently restoring and archiving each item on site.  Select moveable heritage displays are positioned around Q Station.  Further information is available upon request.

Accommodation

Q Station offers a range of accommodation options in 75 rooms and 6 cottages. From Deluxe Ensuite Harbour View Rooms to Standard National Park View to Street View rooms with shared facilities, there is a room to suit every budget. Every room has been furnished to the highest standard, with comfortable and modern conveniences, and a stunning balcony on which to watch the sun set.

Harbour View Ensuite Deluxe

This room comes with an ensuite bathroom and boasts a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour. It has a Queen sized bed and an additional room for extra space to relax and re-energise, or for three guests with an additional sofa bed included.

View: Sydney Harbour

Bathroom: Ensuite

Sleeps: 2 or 3

Additional features: Desk or sofa bed

Price: $460 for two people - additional people $60 per person


Harbour View Ensuite Standard

This room features a Queen sized bed, it comes with an ensuite bathroom and boasts a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour.  

View: Sydney Harbour

Bathroom: Ensuite

Sleeps: 2

Price: $420 for two people

Harbour View Personal Deluxe

This room has a Queen sized bed, boasts a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour and comes with a personal bathroom only a short walk away. The Harbour View Personal Deluxe room is available with the option of either an extra lounge room or an area with a sofa bed.

View: Harbour

Bathroom: Personal (short walk from room)

Sleeps: 2 - 3

Additional features: Extra lounge room or area with sofa bed

Price: $395 for two people - additional people $60 per person

Features per room:

Bathrobe

Slippers

Queen sized bed

Iron and ironing board

Furnished veranda

Flat screen TV

Video on demand

High speed internet connection

Heating and ceiling fans

Communal lounge for tea and coffee

Design of Q Station

Launched by Mawland Hotel Management, the Cate Young (CYD) designed Q-Station connects visitors to Sydney’s authentic maritime history, through the melding of the original Quarantine Stationsite based at North Head, with a contemporary interior design and the subtle reuse of original fixtures from the site.

Cate Young is one of Australia’s leading hotels and hospitality interior design, atelier.  Young’s inspiration and approach to interior design is drawn from her ability to respond to a site, challenging, but also where appropriate embracing, traditional concepts of design.  She calls this accessing the “aura of an institution or soul of a site.”

“Q-Station is all about the interaction between past and present,” said Young. “My approach was to balance this interaction with the juxtaposition of the original exterior heritage architecture and a minimal, clean interior design.  Unlike a museum or traditional restoration concept, the Q-Station design brings the site’s history to life, through the re-use of original features, connecting them to the future of each visitor who stays there.” 

Original workmen’s cottages have been transformed into warm, luxurious retreats tucked away on the privacy of the highest, most remote points of the Q-Station site.  With views of Sydney Harbour and Spring Cove, the 94-rooms onsite reflect the simple, crisp elegance of maritime 1920s featuring brass fixtures, timber finishes within a crisp white palette.

“The accommodation design creates a blend of modernity, comfort and authenticity, with a ‘ship-on-land’ feeling.  The elegance of steam ships from the 1900s is brought into the modern era, with traditional use of neutral modern décor, chrome and copper fittings but without heavy complexity.  The room design allows each guest to experience the space and light of the original architecture.” 

Overlooking the cliffs of Quarantine Beach, the Boilerhouse Restaurant and Bar features a 150-seat dining room and bar.   Young’s design captures the bustle and energy of the original boiler room and pump station, with exposed pipes and genuine brickwork.   Linking the large interior space to its former use, the original boiler and pump house fixtures have been carefully restored and featured within the space.

Young has captured all these elements through the use of exposed pipes, heavy rivets and bolts, as well as the resurfacing of the exposed brick walls.  The restaurant is an actively social space for diners just as the original boiler room would be.  Young has combined the action and masculinity of the interior restaurant space, against the outdoor eating space.  The building sits against the calm beauty of water views, and the outdoor area combines a sense of old-world maritime elegance contrasting with the industrial nature of the site.

Cate Young has used a unique blend of modernity, comfort and historical authenticity to restore a sense of maritime and heritage to the latest Sydney accommodation experience.

Defiance – Australia’s Newest Theatrical Production

Q Station is proud to present Sydney’s newest immersive theatre production, Defiance, written, produced and directed by Carlton Lamb of Carlton Lamb Productions. Defiance stars Damian Rice, Rebekah Moore, Berynn Schwerdt and Lucy Miller.

Defiance unveils the extraordinary real stories of men and women who were interned at Quarantine Station near Manly from 1828 until 1984 as the country battled to contain the outbreak of one of mankind’s greatest enemies, disease, including Smallpox (1881), Plague (1901) and Spanish Influenza (1919).  However, this isn’t just a nostalgic ‘look back in time’ as the audience is also thrust into the future to experience the simulation of a world epidemic of Avian Flu (2020).  World Health Authorities worst fears are confirmed when the disease spreads rapidly from Eastern Europe to China, Taiwan, Vietnam and finally Australia.  Will history be allowed to repeat itself?  Have we, as a global community, progressed in our ability to manage pandemics?  Is quarantine the only solution? 

The production takes place at two locations in the original heritage site, immersing the audience into the experience with a combination of dramatic portrayals and stunning visual and special effects. The audience sits inside the same authentic buildings where the stories actually happened and the actors are close enough to touch.

Dining – Boilerhouse Restaurant Situated on the harbour’s edge with spectacular views and al fresco dining, the Boilerhouse Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner.  The menu offers a selection of dishes inspired by modern Australian cuisine, designed by renowned Executive Chef Reinhard Roithner (who has served Princess Diana and Prince Charles, amongst others).  Guests seeking a drink before Defiance, are welcome to peruse the former engine house which has been meticulously restored and features two enormous boilers, located adjacent to the main restaurant.

Visitor Centre

Upon arrival at the wharf, guests will be taken back in time at the newly erected Visitors Centre (former luggage store).  Displays showcasing the origins of Sydney’s iconic former quarantine station and experiences, including reconstructions of First and Third Class ship cabins from the SS Niagara and a high tech interactive model of the Quarantine Station will be available for everyone to see.  An information counter, tour desk and retail outlet featuring a collection of Q Station merchandise is also located at the Visitor Centre. 

Destination Spa

Watch this Space!  Later this year, you will be invited to indulge in the luxury day spa currently in development at Q Station.  Treatments range from short to multiple day programs which will include various types of massage, relaxation and beauty treatments.  How divine!

Behind Q Station

SIMON MCARTHUR, General Manager