School is almost finished for another year, Christmas is just around the corner, and before we know it we’ll be toasting in the New Year.  While most parents can take a well-deserved break from the manic school run, many are left wondering how they’re going to keep their little ones entertained over the summer school holidays.
 
But don’t stress, Sydney is bustling with loads of family friendly events and activities that are sure to keep the kids happy. From Christmas activities, theatre shows, to animal encounters and glamping staycations here’s 7 of our must do activities to keep the kids entertained these Sydney summer school holidays.
 
1.      LEGO Build to Give 
Throughout late November, Sydney’s World Square will be teaming up with Camp Quality to host the LEGO Build to Give.  Families are invited to come along, show their creative side, and build their own LEGO Christmas Tree ornament.
 
The best bit? With every ornament built, LEGO Australia will donate a LEGO set to a child who’ll be spending their holiday season in hospital fighting cancer.
Dates include:

• Friday 22 November 2019 from 11am to 2pm
• Friday 22 November 2019 from 4pm to 7pm
• Saturday 23 November 2019 from 10am to 8pm
• Sunday 24 November 2019 from 12pm to 6pm

 
2.      The Ultimate Christmas Market
If your little ones are already counting down to Santa’s visit then make sure you don’t miss the ultimate Christmas market at Moore Park on Sunday 24th November 2019.  There will be loads of Christmas themed goods and gift shopping, and lots of festive foods including puddings and Christmas cakes, sauces, preserves, gingerbread houses and chocolates. For the little ones there’ll even be a dedicated children’s precinct featuring a huge range of kids rides, sweet treats, toys, and activities including hair braiding, sand art, craft, face painting, pony rides.  

 3.      Kids Glamping
Here at Q Station we think one of the best school holiday’s activities is a little family staycation. Our Kids Glamping adventure will see the kids hanging out in their indoor teepee with unlimited movies, board games and popcorn while the parents get to relax in the peaceful surroundings of the National Park and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset.  The next morning the whole family can enjoy full buffet breakfast in Views Restaurant and a late check out of 12pm. 

While you’re here, take a swim and play in the sand at Quarantine Beach, join our daily History Tour, wander through the free museum or spook yourselves on the Ghost Trackers family tour!

4.      Sydney Christmas Children's Concert
To really get your family into the Christmas cheer be sure to put the Sydney Christmas Children’s Concert on Saturday 30th November on your list. The free concert will have the whole family dusting off those reindeer ears, and jingling along to Jimmy Giggle, SplashDance, Sesame Street and Carpe Idiotus! 

The kids can also join in on craft activities, table tennis and giant Jenga with the Christmas elves and there may even be a special guest appearance by the man in red himself. Make sure to pack your picnic rug and get in early for the best spots.

5.       The Midnight Gang
Sydney’s Opera House will be bringing David Walliams' best-selling novel, The Midnight Gang, to life from the 3rd – 21st January 2020. It will tell the story of twelve-year-old Tom who unexpectedly finds himself lonely and lost in the children’s ward of St Crook’s Hospital, away from his family and at the mercy of evil Matron. 

Tom feels like he’ll never leave, but his fellow young patients have other ideas. They might be stuck in hospital, but their imaginations can take them anywhere as The Midnight Gang. Each night when the clock strikes midnight, The Midnight Gang go on a series of amazing journeys as they turn the hospital into the places they’ve always wanted to go and make dreams come true.

6.     Sharks of the Reef
Not scared of a little Great White Shark? These summer school holidays SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is celebrating all things JAW-some about Sharks. Home to 13 different species of sharks including the local Port Jackson sharks and the giant Grey Nurse Sharks, they’ll be running a range of free activities that will teach kids all about these fascinating animals. The activities will run from 5th Dec 2019 – 31st Jan 2020, with more details to be released on their website soon.
 
7.      The Wind in the Willows
From the 4th – 26th January 2020 the amazing Mr Toad and his bonny, boisterous pals will be heading back to Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden for the 17th consecutive year of their interactive outdoor theatre show, The Wind in The Willows.
 
Children will giggle and howl at the characters’ mad antics, go on an adventure with head chief Rabbit, Ratty and Mole, join a dangerous mission with the Rat Pack and Badger Patrol to rescue little, lost Portly the Otter from the Wild Wood.

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us and if you haven’t already started – and let’s face of it not many of us have – now is the perfect time to start planning your Christmas gift giving!

Christmas is a festive time of year where you come together with family and friends to celebrate, eat, drink and exchange gifts.  And there is no better feeling than when you know you have nailed the perfect gift or when someone has taken the time to find the perfect Christmas gift for you.

Forget wading through the Christmas crowds at the shopping centres looking for Christmas present ideas for friends and family. We are helping you to get it right this year and make it a Christmas to remember with the ultimate Christmas gift ideas at Q Station.

A WEEKEND AWAY

Gift someone the ultimate experience of a weekend or overnight stay in the privacy and comfort of our Quarantine Station accommodation in one of our historic heritage or deluxe rooms.  This is without a doubt a truly wonderful (and unique) Christmas gift and one which will make you popular this Christmas.  Here your recipient can relax and unwind in a unique natural setting, with gorgeous views of  Sydney Harbour.  Better yet, if you are gifting this to your partner you will have the bonus of enjoying the gift too!

During their stay they can experience the serene beauty of Quarantine Beach taking a swim, relaxing in the sun with a book in hand, join a history tour, wander through the free museum and hike the many scenic walking tracks in  Sydney Harbour National Park, truly getting away from it all.

KIDS GLAMPING

The kids will be all smiles with a Kids Glamping experience  at Q Station.  The best Christmas gift idea for kids, they will love hanging out in their indoor teepee where they can watch unlimited tv, play board games and enjoy popcorn and other treats, leaving their parents to enjoy a glass of wine on their balcony overlooking the beautiful tranquil surroundings of  Sydney Harbour National Park!

GHOSTLY FUN

BOO! Sydney’s Quarantine Station is reputed to be one of Australia’s most haunted sites and we have plenty of spooky Ghost Tours on offer for adults and children (aged 8+).   Whether they believe in ghost or not, the tours will keep them entertained as they discover the intriguing stories of Q Station’s history and it’s most eccentric characters, making this a perfect and unique Christmas gift and one that will be sure to get their hearts racing! 

WINE & DINE

Have a foodie on the gift list? A dinner voucher to experience the exquisitely crafted menu at Boilerhouse Restaurant and Bar is the ultimate gift for food lovers.  Housed in the original boiler house building from the days of Sydney’s former Quarantine Station, the restaurant has been refurbished into a uniquely styled restaurant with an incredible atmosphere.  Here your giftee can enjoy the ultimate Sydney foodie experience while dining in the outdoor terrace, surrounded by nature and overlooking one of the most incredible views of Sydney. 

HIGH TEA & HISTORY

The High Tea & History package is an incredible gift for the entire family.  Here your group can immerse themselves in the history of  Q Station on the Quarantine Wander Tour followed by an indulgent high tea in the original First-Class Dining Room.  Feast on delicious beef and red wine pie with mustard pickles, sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, blueberry friands, salted caramel macaroons and pistachio and fig biscotti washed down with barista style tea and coffee as your guide enthralls you with tales from the past.

BIKE TOUR OF  SYDNEY HARBOUR NATIONAL PARK

The outdoors lover with enjoy the unique gift of a self-guided bike tour of  Sydney Harbour National Park.  Suitable for beginner bike riders and above, your gift includes bike hire from Manly Bike Tours where they can set off on  Sydney Harbour National Park Explore Tour.  On the self-guided tour they can explore the secluded Collins Beach and waterfall, Little Manly Point, St Patrick’s Estate, North Fort Artillery Museum,  Sydney Harbour National Park and our Q Station Visitor Centre and Museum taking in the scenic ocean views and the peace beauty the tour has to offer.

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

If you are not sure which option to choose, a gift voucher with a monetary value is perfect for the person who has everything!  All gift vouchers have a validity of 3-years, so they will have plenty of time to use and the flexibility of deciding what to use the voucher towards. 

Whichever option or gift you choose, we have all you need here at the Q Station to ensure its smiles all round this Christmas!

The festive season is only a few months away and the office Christmas party is an event that is most looked forward to… That is, unless you are the person tasked to plan it!

Planning the perfect Christmas party can put the organiser under a lot of pressure, especially if the event is being used as an added incentive to have the team push through the busy time of the year.  Many event planners are more interested in thinking about the best Christmas party ideas and how to make it a bigger and better event this year, however the importance of venue selection for an event is key in ensuring a successful event as venues can book out quickly this time of year and the theme of the event will come down to what you can do with the chosen space – once you have decided.

Organisation is key in creating the best office Christmas party and we have put together 8 important factors to consider when choosing the right venue for your Christmas party.

•  Budget

This is one of the most important things you need to establish before you can start planning your event.  There is no point booking out a ballroom, locking away entertainment and theming if you don’t have any money left over for food and drinks!  If you have already planned the event in the past, you many have an idea of what you can spend, however it’s important to sit down with whoever is signing the cheque at the end of the night before you spend valuable time choosing your venue and planning the perfect event.  Being flexible and organised can also help you save on your budget with many venues offering early booking discounts or lower priced packages for mid-week and lunchtime bookings.

• Dates

If you already have the perfect venue in mind – well done you – you may be foiled by venue availability on the date you have selected.  If you can, try to have at least 3 alternative date options which you can choose from which will give you a little more flexibility when selecting a venue.   If you can, make certain the event date you are selecting doesn’t clash with busy periods in the office or any important deadlines, this way you can ensure a better turn out on the day.
While you may be tempted to leave your Christmas party to the last week of work before holidays when everyone is truly in the Christmas spirit, be conscious that many families are quick to take off on holidays and booking your party too close to Christmas Day may also affect your RSVPs. If you’re really struggling to pick a date for your party, try setting up an online poll or survey which you can then email to your office and let the majority decide on the date for you!

Once you’ve picked your date be sure to send out a save the date so your team have the party marked in the calendar. Once you’ve finalized more details you can then send an official invitation.

• Know your team   

This is often the most overlooked element of planning a Christmas party, yet it’s crucial in ensuring that the event is one that will have people excited about.  While you can’t always please everyone – especially when you have larger teams –it’s good idea to understand the office demographic and overall workplace culture.  Think about age groups, family commitments, and the different morales between departments; understanding these considerations will help you pick both the perfect venue and time for your Christmas party.

If you’re office is generally a younger crowd they will want a venue that will allow them to continue the party well into the night, whereas a more family orientated workplace will appreciate a day time activity or early evening get together. And if you’re bringing together different departments who don’t often socialise or work together think about including an activity or theme to act as an icebreaker.

Putting an idea’s box’ in the team lunch area where people can make suggestions or vote on themes or activities is a great way to make them feel involved in the process and build excitement for your event.

• Style and Theme

Deciding on the style and theme of the event is key to choosing the right venue for your party.  If you have a larger team, a cocktail event will make it easy for staff to mingle rather than stay seated at the one table. Whereas smaller teams are normally better suited to sit down dinners or a more casual afternoon barbeque with team building games.  Again take into account your team culture and demographics – while cocktail parties are especially great for younger teams, older demographics will appreciate a more quiet and comfortable venue.

Once you know your style of event you can then start thinking about theming your chosen venue. For fun and casual parties a dress or costume theme is a great way to create some excitement in the lead up to the occasion with team members discussing what they will be wearing and an opportunity for departments to compete in order to “out do” other departments – make certain you allow plenty of time for invitations to go out however so they have plenty of time to work on their outfits.

For more formal or sit down events, put some thought in to the room decorations or place settings. These little touches can make the whole night feel just that little bit more special.

• Flexible Function Spaces and Packages

Having an idea of the number of guests and your event space requirements when selecting a venue for an event, will make the whole process a lot easier.  If you have your heart set on a venue, make sure that they have flexible function space options to suit the number of guests as it becomes costly to theme and fill out a large venue if you have smaller numbers.  Likewise squeezing 80 people in a space more ideal for 60 won’t have your guests enjoying themselves on the night.  If you are looking at an indoor event, are there out door options for guests wanting a little fresh air. On the other hand if you’re hosting an outdoor event, is there a wet-weather back up plan?

Flexible packages are also important, look at the inclusions they offer and whether there are enough options to cater for all dietary requirements.  Quality food & beverage are important elements in a successful event so having the flexibility to upgrade certain elements of a package is ideal.

• Location

When selecting a venue it’s important to mix things up -after all having a similar venue each year can be a little boring! If you held last year’s event in a function room in the city, try hosting this year’s party outdoors complete with fairy lights in the trees and an informal set up under the stars allowing guests to mingle and watch the sunset.

But while you might be tempted by a totally unique venue in the suburbs or out of the city, you need to take into account that your team are going to be travelling from all sides of town and will need an easy journey home. If you have selected a venue that isn’t close to pubic transport or is a little outside of town think about arranging a bus to transport staff to a central location where they can easily catch a taxi home.

• Inclusions

When choosing the right venue, it’s important to find out what inclusions they offer as part of their package.  The venue hire might seem like a good price however if you are having to hire your own tables, dance floor, basic theming and lighting it can add up quickly!

It’s important to understand what’s on the table.  Set up a simple venue requirements spreadsheet with your short-listed venues side by side with all the important elements listed with a dollar value beside it – this will help you understand which venue best suits your budget and help you leverage a deal at the venue sitting at number 1!

Venues like ours include a dedicated functions coordinator who will be with you every step of the way, assisting you with your planning and helping to ensure your event runs smoothly.

• Team Activities

Keeping the team engaged during a Christmas party is an important element to ensuring a successful event, so it’s a good idea to see if your short-listed venues have any activities or entertainment on offer to liven up the event.  Look for team building activities that get departments who normally don’t mix, to start talking and laughing together – our popular “Outbreak!” program is perfect for this, which sees your entire company quarantined at the Q Station, and you need to work together in groups to collect vaccine to survive!  If it’s an afternoon event you can treat your colleagues to a casual beachside afternoon of kayaks, stand up paddleboards and giant games, or scare them silly as they take part in one of our famous Ghost tours.
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If you are looking for the perfect venue for your next Christmas event, then look no further than Q Station.  We have stunning views overlooking the Sydney Harbour, an array of outdoor spaces and dedicated function rooms and our 2019 Christmas Party packages offer exquisite food and beverage selections that they entire team will enjoy!