Wonderful recognition from our local MP James Griffin MP, Member for Manly on our historic site Q Station Manly and reference to our National Award from Meetings & Events Australia as the recipient of 'Unique Event Venue with Accommodation'.

We look forward to continuing to work closely together, particularly in preparation of the upcoming Invictus Games!

​Whether it’s date night, celebration of your anniversary date, asking the BIG question date or that incredibly exciting – and nerve wracking - first date with the person of your dreams, creating the most memorable and unique setting to impress the love of your life (or soon to be if you play your cards right) is key if you are looking to make them feel special.
If you really want to impress, first step is to try and understand what you know about your date, what they like, what their interests are and choose the location and experience you think they will enjoy the most.  The best part is, it doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money to have the best experiences.
There is never a bad time to plan an incredibly romantic date with your significant other, and with our Top 10 Date Venues in Sydney, you will have all the inspiration you need to find the perfect places to go on a date in Sydney.  So why not tonight? 

1. Enjoy a Penfolds Grange Degustation Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour

When only the best will do, capture a romantic moment under a spectacular sunset as you cruise the Sydney Harbour while enjoying a 6-course degustation menu matched with Penfolds platinum selection of private bin and vintage wines. On the Platinum Penfolds Grange Dinner Cruise you can watch the sun set while enjoying great food, great wine, listening to live music and taking in the beautiful scenery - this is an incredible experience and one that will be sure to surprise and delight.

2. Picnic lunch at Wendy’s Secret Garden

Pack a picnic lunch, blanket, pop in some bubbles and head to Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, nestled in the suburbs immediately north of the Harbour Bridge, for a romantic lunch with incredible views of the harbor.  Take time to wander through this incredible garden, taking in its magical ambience, established through the love of Wendy Whitely in tribute to her husband, Australian Artist Brett Whitely after he passed away.  Finding the garden can be an adventure itself so make sure that you do your homework, find the best route and mark at your picnic spot in advance.

3. Experience Hot Air Ballooning followed by a gourmet champagne breakfast

Take romance to its heights with an unforgettable Hot Air Ballooning experience in the popular Camden region of Sydney, a beautiful spot located only 50 minutes from the Sydney CBD.  The Camden Valley offers the most incredible backdrop with a diverse range of views from sparking waters of the Nepean river, the peaks of the Blue Mountains illuminated by the first rays of sunlight, the historic towns of Picton and Camden and the incredible Sydney skyline that can only truly be appreciated from above. 
The hot air balloon experience takes approximately an hour with flights over the beautiful and historic Macarthur region.  We recommend allowing 3 hours to enjoy the complete experience which includes tea and coffee when you arrive, your incredible flight, followed by a delicious gourmet champagne breakfast.

4. Watch the Sun go down on Quarantine Beach

There is nothing more romantic than watching the sun over the ocean with your partner (or partner to be) better yet it’s a location for every season, bubbles in Summer and a great bottle of Red coupled with an incredible cheese and antipasto and you have dinner and romance sorted.  And there is no better spot than our very own Quarantine Beach a secluded hidden gem with gorgeous views out to the harbour and only a short stroll away from the accommodation  the historic Q Station hotel.  The beach is 200m long, faces northwest into the North Harbour and is in a quiet and sheltered location hemmed in by rocks and national park with silvery sand and clear, calm water. 

5. Book a Room with a View

f you really want to impress you can’t go past our Retreat Suite at the Q Station.  The Suite offers the perfect romantic getaway, located on the headland within the Sydney Harbour National Park in the renovated former Isolation Precinct, within what was once the Quarantine station, this area has one of the most amazing views of Sydney Harbour. 
 
Take your love interest on a scenic stroll along the Fairfax walk accessing post card views of Sydney Harbour, then it’s only a 5-minute walk from your hotel suite to access the Quarantine beach for that wine and cheese.

6. An old school Drive in date in a Mustang convertible

For a truly unique night out with a difference, step back in time and enjoy a movie and dinner under the stars at the Skyline Drive In, Blacktown from the incredible vantage point of an old school mustang convertible or if you looking for something more modern then hire a mustang from the Hertz adrenaline collection. 
 
This experience is a perfect first date option in Sydney, offering a different take on the standard dinner and a movie date and you can watch any of the latest blockbusters, enjoy a tasty treat from the dinner menu and immerse yourself in the experience.   
 
7. Snorkeling and Lunch at Shelley Beach

For a truly relaxing and unwinding date, pack your flippers and towels and head to Shelley Beach for an incredible snorkeling experience.  It’s a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers alike and it’s no wonder why, with a maximum depth of 12 metres in a protected reserve it is home to a large variety of marine life which is can be viewed in relatively shallow water.  This experience offers a different take on the standard dinner and a movie date and you can watch any of the latest blockbusters, enjoy a tasty treat from the dinner menu and immerse yourself in the experience.  

8. Lunch at the Boathouse Shelley Beach

After a morning of snorkeling, sand and sun you can dust off the sand and enjoy an incredible seafood lunch at the boat house restaurant, located in an idyllic spot directly on the beach where you both can sample delights like the Kingfish Carpaccio or a Cold Seafood Platter while continuing to take in the ambience of an incredible location.

9. Kayaking – Rose Bay

While there are plenty of places around the harbour you can kayak, Rose Bay is one of the more beautiful spots, better yet you can hire out the kayaks, paddleboards and even motorboats from rose bay aquatic hire for a memorable day out on the water.  If you are up for an adventure paddle out to Shark Island carrying a small picnic  or snacks with you and relax taking in the beautiful views before taking the kayak back to Rose Bay.  Make sure you arrange your landing fee ($7 per person) via NSW National Parks.

10. Skip dinner and go straight for dessert

Located on George Street Sydney is fun date idea and a great way to get to know someone if it’s in the early stages of dating.  Now you could be thinking that it looks like every other ice cream shop, and sure they do serve everything you would expect from sundae’s to waffles however the resemblance stops here.  What is so incredibly unique is the decadent upgrades they have made to the classics like chocolate crêpes with hidden chocolate mousse and strawberries, a delicious surprise of a cookie at the bottom of your cookies and cream ice cream, and if you pride yourself on being a food adventurer you can really get creative with the classics mixing them with exotic flavours including black sesame, Japanese green tea, durian, sticky rice, coconut and lychee rose.  What’s even better is the serving sizes are perfectly suited for 2 which makes for a fun night out that’s easy on the pocket.  

It’s Game on Down Under!  In October 2018 Sydney will be host to the 4th Annual Invictus Games Sydney, welcoming over 500 competitors and over 1000 of their family and friends from 18 Nations across the globe, showcasing the healing power of sport and the resilience of the human spirit. 

The event is presented by Jaguar Land Rover who have been involved since its inception in London in 2014.   The competitors will compete in 11 sports in Sydney during the 2018 Invictus Games dates of 20 – 27 October 2018.  The events will be staged across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park, on and around the Sydney Harbour, with the Opening Ceremony being held at the Sydney Opera House.

In choosing the venue for 2018, Prince Harry, Founder and Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, had three key criteria.  First, it had to be an iconic city – somewhere known the world over.  Second, it needed to be a city with a proud military heritage, which would welcome competitors from all over the world with open arms.  And finally, it had to be somewhere where the people are absolutely sports mad and would really get behind the competitors.  Prince Harry commented “It was an easy decision really.” You can watch the announcement HERE.
 
The Invictus Games participating allied nations include; Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the USA.
 
Nations have started to announce their teams for the games with Denmark, New Zealand and USA among the first to reveal the competitors who will make the trip ‘Down Under’.
 
ABOUT THE INVICTUS GAMES

Named after Invictus, Latin for “unconquered” or “undefeated”, the Invictus Games is an international adaptive multi-sport event, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.  Founded by Invictus Games Patron Prince Harry, the Games harness the power of sport to inspire and support the rehabilitation and recovery of injured or sick armed services personal and create a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries.

The first Invictus Games took place in September 2014 at the Queen Olympic Park in London, United Kingdom with 14 Nations attending and crowds of over 65,000 people packing out the venue.  With the exception of 2015, the successful event has been held annually ever since with the number of Nations participating increasing to 18 in 2018.    In 2016 the event was hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. In 2017 the games were held at multiple venues in Toronto, Canada and it was at this event that they introduced the first-ever Invictus Games relay.

The Invictus Games provides an opportunity for long-term impact on the defence community by supporting programs and services across various sectors to encourage greater collaboration and co-operation amongst veteran and serving community.
 
MAKE YOUR MARK

At the closing ceremony of Invictus Games Toronto 2017, Prince Harry challenged us all to do something to effect change in our lives or make a difference in our communities.  Prince Harry said; “Let the examples of service and resilience you have seen, inspire you to take action to improve something – big or small – in your life, for your family, or in your community.” 
In answer to this call to action the Sydney 2018 launched a “Make Your Mark Down Under’ campaign.  Make Your Mark is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, no matter where you are.  You can show your support for our wounded warriors through sharing your moment with the Games community via #MakeYourMarkDownUnder and including #IG2018.

WHERE TO STAY

If you are looking at where to stay in Sydney, for easy access to some of the best vantage points to the Invictus Games 2018 and only a short ferry ride across to the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour, then the historic Q Station, a hidden gem located at North Head on the shores of Sydney Harbour in Manly, Australia is an incredible option.   Surrounded by native Australian bush lands with stunning views over the Sydney Harbour and access to easy nature walks, Whale watching, Australian Wildlife, historic tours and some of Australia’s best beaches, you can feel removed from the hustle and bustle during the Invictus Games, yet close enough to all the action.   Find availability now.
Bringing the family?  We’ve helped you out with a jam packed 72 Hour Itinerary guaranteed to keep the entire family engaged, returning home more knowledgeable about the Australian History and Heritage.

INVICTUS GAMES INFORMATION

If you would like to volunteer at the Invictus Games in Sydney 2018 you can contact the 2018 Organising Committee, more information can be found by visiting http://www.invictusgames2018.org/join-us/volunteers/.
For more information about Sydney and getting around during the games you can find more information by visiting http://www.invictusgames2018.org/.

Tickets: tickets for the Invictus Games Sydney will go on sale soon and you are invited to Join the Journey and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date and to receive priority access to tickets before they are available to the general public.

For the latest information on the Invictus Games Foundation you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook or sign up to the newsletter to keep up to date. 

Q Station has been heralded as one of Sydney’s most unique business event venues, was recognised at the Meeting & Events Australia National Awards in Adelaide by winning in the category of ‘Unique Event Venue with Accommodation’.

Director of Sales & Marketing Natalie Dillon (pictured) is passionate about developing creative events on the versatile and heritage site. “The Q Station team work tirelessly to preserve our historic site on the edge of Sydney Harbour, connecting our guests to the past whilst showcasing new and innovative ways to deliver business events,” says Natalie, “Its natural beauty, food & beverage offering, team building activities, as well as its location, make it an ideal destination for business events.”

Q Station hosts over 300 events per year including conferences, product launches, training days, senior leader retreats, birthday parties and weddings.  All 65 heritage buildings have been creatively transformed into hotel accommodation, function spaces, restaurants, a café and museum. Q Station is the perfect place for any group to experience privacy and comfort in a unique and inspiring setting.

Meetings & Events Australia is a national, independent not for profit organisation dedicated to servicing the needs of the meetings and events industry and promoting professionalism and excellence in all aspects of meetings and event management. It also promotes the value and effectiveness of meetings and events as an important high-yield sector of business travel and tourism. Q Station is thrilled to be recognised by Meetings & Events Australia.