Ghosts and a (romantic) getaway

NSW blogger Daniella and her man brave the spirit world to enjoy all that Manly’s Q Station on offer.

Breathtaking vistas by day, the haunt of ghosts and gravediggers by night. A rough terrain of frightening beauty within a quiet nature conservation site, the Q Station is a strange mix of luxury, adventure and rustic charm.

Manly’s Q Station

Torrential rain, ominous bush land and graying abandoned buildings provided the backdrop for our late night ghost tour at Manly’s ancient Quarantine station. Our guide, Felicity, expertly traverses the seemingly unstructured land while providing the history of the landmark site intertwined with stories of clandestine ghostly encounters.

Our ghost tour guide Felicity

Missing graveyards, unexplained phenomena and mischievous ghosts abound in this treasured piece of Sydney Harbour with a troubled history. We walk carefully through old hospitals where a determined (deceased) matron continues to lurk, bathrooms where doors sway unprompted and every breeze takes on a sinister character.

Reputed to be one of Australia’s most haunted sites, the Quarantine Station was established in the 1830s to protect local residents from threat of infection from migrant ships. The site was the first safe anchorage point inside the heads that was considered sufficiently isolated from Sydney, and included its own fresh water supply.
Our guide tells us that over 500 people are buried on the grounds at North Head, but that the majority of graves aren’t able to be located. She tells us of people who died suddenly, becoming ghosts who don’t know they’re dead, and of individual ghosts nicknamed “Mr Slimey” who like to haunt the more attractive lady visitors (“take it as a compliment”).

Our room was much more comfortable!

Two and a half hours of terrifying tales, obsolete buildings and tragic history lessons are satisfyingly spooky, and it is a relief to discover a comforting plush hotel room (with no evidence of ghosts) as the final destination.
By morning, the air is crisp, wildlife boisterous and the ocean beckons from the window. The tales of the night before seem like a distant dream in the bright light of day as we embark on a brisk bushwalk around the harbour cliffs. Our reward is a hearty buffet breakfast at the Q Station’s dining room, a well-earned combination of pancakes, fruit salad and scrambled eggs.

Our well deserved brekkie!

The rooms evoke the rustic charm of old Australiana, with large verandahs overlooking Sydney’s spectacular ocean and views of the city observed through the prism of quiet bush and native trees. We channel the peaceful lifestyle of a bygone era, enjoying a relaxed cup of tea on the deck uninterrupted by the demands of technology, ipads and mobiles.

Sufficiently unwound, a day of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking the expansive surrounds of the unique site beckons. Luxury, adventure and rustic charm deliver the ingredients of an invigorating weekend escape – just watch out for Mr Slimey.