With snack stations, cosy comforts and a pyjama dress code, Pier One Sydney’s intimate harbourside cinema is a PJ-party dream come true. We test it out.
I’ve reached the point in my twenties where cushy nights at home hold infinite more appeal than a late-night bar crawl. Especially when the temperature drops. Whether that makes me cool or boring remains up for debate. Either way, Sydney’s cutest new pop-up will no doubt send homebodies’ hearts aflutter, promising the perfect way to get out while staying in.
An Autograph Collection hotel, Pier One Sydney Harbour has launched a new winter experience for groups and couples that transforms its Sunset Balcony Suite into guests’ very own private cinema. Overlooking Walsh Bay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the intimate movie screening comes complete with cosy comforts and sweet treats – bringing all the luxuries of a night on the couch to a spectacular harbourside setting.
This package forms part of Marriott Bonvoy’s new Winter After Dark campaign, a series of distinctive experiences that encourage guests to embrace longer winter nights.
The group experience is the perfect way to brighten up your winter.
I arrive at the suite’s spacious terrace and am left jaw-to-the-floor impressed. The sheltered outdoor space is set up with plush couches, fluffy blankets and fairy lights, creating an ideal setting for birthdays, special occasions or – in our case – a novel group hangout. I’ve brought five friends; we can barely contain our childlike delight.
From the double-height terrace, we can see Luna Park shimmering across the water and feel close enough to touch the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where the last bridge climbers of the day are making their descent down the iconic arc.
Before we get stuck into our movie, we head downstairs to Pier Bar for cocktails by the water: a gin pineapple spritz, amaretto sour and Pier St. Negroni do the trick. The rosy tones of sunset ripple over the water and across the sky, setting a dreamy tone for our evening.
Go back for seconds (or thirds) at the snack trolley.
The suite's terrace is set up with warm blankets and cushions.
Enjoy your movie of choice with a side of popcorn.
Back in our suite, we snuggle into our blankets. The movie projector has all the streaming services available (though you will need your own login), giving guests the flexibility to choose their own film or TV series. We go for a childhood classic: Bridge to Terabithia.
Once we’ve settled in, a knock at the door signals the delivery we’ve been eagerly awaiting: our very own snack trolley complete with individual popcorn boxes and a build-your-own-Yo-Chi station. A range of frozen yoghurt flavours and toppings (brownies, Nutella, pistachio paste, fruit – you name it) keep us all happily scooping and sprinkling. But what’s a snack without a bevvy to accompany?
We’re spoilt for choice with a bottle of sparkling, rose, pinot grigio and pinot noir, along with tap beers of choice (Stone & Wood, naturally) delivered by friendly hotel staff.
The Pier One Harbourside Cinema includes a curated menu.
About an hour later, a curated and nostalgic Cinema Specials dinner menu is delivered directly to our suite. Think loaded fries, mustardy hot dogs (or beetroot burgers for vegetarians) and Caesar salad. But there are also dishes that elevate the experience (and remind you that you are indeed not just at home in front of an empty fridge). We graze on tuna tartare, baked brie and a charcuterie board embellished with swirls of cold cuts and cheese wedges.
The Pier One Harbourside Cinema package is designed for groups of up to eight and includes an overnight stay for two in the suite’s king bed, while the rest of the party are welcome to stay for the film screening, or until 11pm.
The Sunset Balcony Suite invites lie-ins. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
It’s at this point my partner and I wave goodbye to our friends and realise there is still more to enjoy. The Sunset Balcony Suite itself is a sanctuary of navy tones, brass accents and nautical touches nodding to the hotel’s unique maritime history. A freestanding bathtub calls for a bubble bath and a gourmet mini-bar seals the deal.
Watch the sun rise from the terrace. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)
In the morning, we wake to a brilliant misty sunrise, watching as old-school ferries roll beneath the Harbour Bridge. Would I live this night again and again? In an instant.
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The details
Price: $150 for two people, plus $50pp for any extra guests (up to eight total guests), in addition to the Sunset Suite room rate
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
