Review: The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

What it’s like to spend the night inside Sydney’s gorgeous heritage-listed former General Post Office.

An impressive 151 years ago, Sydney’s General Post Office (GPO) had its grand opening at No.1 Martin Place. Crafted from Sydney sandstone, the heritage-listed building no longer has the main function of sending letters; instead, its Victorian Italian grandeur is carefully preserved by The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

The back story

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney — Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

In 1874, Sydney’s General Post Office (GPO) opened as a link to communicating with the rest of the world, both by mail and telegraph. Designed by the Colonial Architect for NSW, James Barnett, the current building was constructed in two stages from 1866 to 1892.

The undertaking was an ambitious one, including many intricate sculptures – one featuring Queen Victoria – with an overall look that blended heritage and Victorian Italian Renaissance style, while still in keeping with the building’s international practicality.

After a refurbishment in the 90s, and being sold in 2017, it now houses The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, along with retail outlets and a (much smaller) Australia Post shop. Despite the changes, the hotel has worked hard to preserve the GOP’s historic grandeur.

First impressions

The room

the fullerton hotel modern tower room on level 28 — The modern tower offers great views over the CBD.

The hotels’ 416 guest rooms and suites are spread across both the GPO heritage building and the modern tower, offering a range of options from sweeping city views to heritage decor and original historic details, like marble fireplaces and the postmaster’s writing desk from the 1870s.

I was in the modern tower, with a view overlooking George Street. The room is spacious, yet cosy. Despite its modernity, neutral tones and a marble-look bathroom still maintain a classic feel. A full-sized desk, a comfortable leather lounge chair, spacious cupboard space, a Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker, a Vittoria coffee machine and a generous-sized TV make the space more than just a bedroom.

The bed itself is soft and comfortable for a peaceful night’s sleep, but my favourite feature was definitely the large bath (with enough length for my six-foot self). The entire bathroom is separated by a large glass window with an automatic blind – wind up for bathing with a view (or to watch a movie on TV), wind down for privacy. Bath salts are offered as a bathroom amentity, which was a lovely touch. While the Balmain bathroom collection is offered in pump bottles for shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Behind separate glass doors, a toilet and rain shower also fit into this large space.

The facilities

Fitness Centre

Open 24 hours a day to guests and located on level six, the hotel’s fitness centre features top-of-the-range equipment including treadmills, free weights and strength training equipment.

Guests can book a personal training session with Acero trainers at the fitness centre by enquiring with the concierge or through the Acero One Community app.

GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place (once the main entrance to the GPO) to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. These latter features are part of the 1880s-era facade, and each represents different states, countries and continents.

The Fullerton Club Lounge

Stay on the hotel’s club floors for access to The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. It’s something of an oasis, open for a daily continental, light refreshments throughout the day and pre-dinner drinks and nibbles. All served with views of the city skyline.

There’s also a wide-screen television, a selection of daily newspapers, free WiFi and exclusive use of the hotel’s private boardroom.

The food and drink

The Place

A level above the lobby, in an atrium overlooking The Bar, onsite restaurant The Place offers dishes featuring the best of Australia’s fresh and homegrown seafood, vegetables and meats. These can be tried on their own or as one of their signature tasting platters for a little bit of everything.

Dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with South-East Asian signature dishes, like chicken satay. My personal favourite was the Thai-style green curry. It was fairly mild as far as curries go, but absolutely not lacking in taste.

The Bar

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails and tasty treats (although it certainly does that well). What it’s really known for is the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to Victorian tea traditions and served in a high tea style. Think cucumber sandwiches, stuffed boiled eggs and Apple Charlotte, but all with an elevated twist. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Personally, I can never go passed a good scone. But my other favourite was hands-down the Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding).

Above us, the GOP building’s iconic clock tower overlooked the space, separated from us by a glass atrium roof. Soft brown-leather chairs added to the classic decor.

The crowd was a mix of those who had dressed up for a special occasion and a few more casual diners. While we ate, a pianist sat down at the on-site grand piano behind our table and began playing the classics. It just added the old-world feel.

The location

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

The location of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney couldn’t possibly be more central, right at the start of the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions.

Details

Address: Lobby Level/1 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Website: fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

What it’s like to sleep in a 150-year-old Sydney icon