On Saturday 18 April, Sydney’s Q Station near Manly will be celebrating its’ bi-annual Community Day as part of the National Trusts Heritage Festival, offering a unique opportunity to explore and experience the history and the beauty of the Q Station site.
This year’s Heritage Festival is themed ‘Our Place in Space’ in recognition of 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy. Q Station is proud to participate in this great celebration showcasing its own unique history which has seen the boundaries between astronomy and astrology blur, from science to spirituality.
To celebrate Q Station is staging a range of free and discounted activities which will explore the history of the site, from the science of maritime navigation to spirituality and tarot reading under the stars. Some of the proceeds on the day will go to Bear Cottage, NSW's only children's hospice which offers both respite and palliative care to children and young people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
Activities on Community Day are suitable for the whole family. Highlights include a free native animal ‘show and tell’ conducted by the guides from the National Parks & Wildlife Service; an exhibition by Q Station’s Curator, Anna Williams, engaging guests with a display of some of the site’s most interesting artifacts (out of 16,000 items which are more than 170 years old); and Psychic readings from Q Station’s Spirit Investigator Medium.
Face painting, badge making and poster competition activities will be running throughout the day at the Kid’s Activity Space. The spiritual aspects of Q Station will be showcased during nighttime interactive tours for both adults and children.
“Community Day not only celebrates the Quarantine Station history, but it also marks the first anniversary for the site, having re-opened last April. With a fantastic program of family-friendly activities, this is an exciting opportunity for Sydneysiders to visit this unique historical venue if you haven’t already.” Anna Williams, Curator & Visitors Service Manager, Q Station
Set in the magnificent surrounds of the National Park at North Head and with spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, Q Station is an enchanting location with a wealth of history. The site offers accommodation and conference facilities, a Visitor Centre on Quarantine Wharf, the Boilerhouse Restaurant situated close to the beach, interactive tours and school education programs.
Heritage Festival, a National Trust initiative, is an annual state-wide festival, running from 4 to 19 April, which will host over 300 events across Sydney and NSW.
On site parking is free and available for access by car and a free shuttle bus will run from Manly Wharf to Q Station. Water Shuttle access on Saturday is also free, and departs from Darling Harbour and Q Station. A schedule of times is available on the Q Station website.
EVENT INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, 18th April, 2009
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Q Station, 1 North Head Scenic Drive (5mins from Manly)
Prices: Various (free and discounted experiences) – See attached Activities table
Bookings: Phone 02 9976 6220 (BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL as Numbers Strictly Limited.)
Website: www.qstation.com.au