Thank you for choosing to stay with us as your destination of choice We are delighted to have you in residence to begin your amazing journey, and discover special moments through connection with our Capella Culturists From unearthing historical curiosity, experiencing the local neighbourhood, to exploring Sydney harbour, the team are ready to present the unexpected
We look forward to curating an array of unrivalled and memorable experiences for you at Capella Sydney Have a most wonderful stay
Best regards,
Marc von Arnim General Manager
Capella Sydney acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands now known as New South Wales
We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to the continuing strength and resilience of First Nations people and cultures.
Mural 2022 By Otis Hope Carey
Otis Hope Carey, is a proud Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Man
Editor’s Note
Our passion for culture and history drives us to delve beneath the skin of the destination we call home We take pride in curating unique experiences punctuated with unforgettable moments that will delight and enrich for years to come
Award winning architect Eoghan Lewis joins us in June for an Architecture Walk that is historically informed and the context contemporary Mark Bowyer from Old Compass Travel explores our storied neighbourhood and art advisor Fiona McIntosh leads an art tour of discovery
In recognition of Global Wellness Day, we invite you to join us on a private tour of Australia’s oldest botanic garden You’ll discover the Garden’s rich heritage and plant diversity
We are delighted to introduce our ‘Harbour Series’ commencing with our Culturist led tour of Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden It's a garden with a story to share
From design led workshops for our Little "Star-chitects" to creative storytelling and hands on art, our Little Stars programming is sure to inspire and delight
Experience for yourself what makes Sydney such an extraordinary destination Our Culturists would be delighted to assist you in curating a lifetime of memories
Natalie Louw Curator
CAPELLA RITUALS
Daily Rituals are designed to create unique moments for guests Where exceptional moments unfold at every turn We celebrate our site's vibrant past through cultural links, storytelling and incredible insight
CAPELLA RITUAL
THE AFTERNOON SWILL
In 1916 laws in New South Wales required that public hotels (pubs as they are now known) close at 6pm, which was in part, a wartime austerity measure
As the working day ended, patrons, would descend on the public houses where they enjoyed lively banter and a refreshing beverage before the clock struck at 6pm, ushering in the austerity closing From this daily ritual the term the ‘six o ’clock swill’ was coined
The 'six o ’clock swill’ remained seared in the Australian cultural narrative until the law was abolished in 1955, however it became a permanent ritual of sorts, where today crowds of workers and locals from city to suburb can still be seen imbibing at their local bar of choice
We invite you to join us in The Living Room for convivial conversation, to linger awhile and enjoy the company of those around you before the evening ahead Replete with our signature cocktail
The Afternoon Swill – Exclusively for In-House Guests 16:30 until 17:30 each day The Living Room
CAPELLA MOMENTS
Our Capella Culturists have spent time scouring Sydney, leaving no leaf unturned in our mission to provide you with world-class experiences We seek, through knowledge, empathy and respect for Sydney's history and tradition, to create ‘Capella Moments’
Working alongside local experts, we have curated a selection of experiences designed to become lifelong memories
Our experiences may be cancelled in the event of wet weather
For reservations please contact your Capella Culturists
CAPELLA MOMENTS
CARRIAGEWORKS MARKET
Experience the essence of Sydney’s culinary scene at the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market, a beloved institution showcasing the freshest seasonal produce and artisanal delights from local growers and producers across NSW
Curated by acclaimed chef Mike McEnearney, the Carriageworks Farmers Market follows a strict Market Charter to ensure quality and uphold its connection to growers and producers
Saturday 24 May from 08:00 until 10:00
Saturday 31 May from 08:00 until 10:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS
METRO ART DISCOVERY
Discover Sydney’s extraordinary Metro Art with Fiona McIntosh, art advisor and tour leader with an extensive knowledge of the Australian visual arts scene Fiona has a deep understanding of contemporary art practices
Metro Art is a legacy-building public art program with commissions of public art by leading Australian and NSW artists, both experienced and emerging Explore the uplifting, intriguing and diverse public art prominently and permanently located at some of Sydney Metro stations
Your Art Discovery Tour will commence at Capella Sydney
Thursday 29 May at 14:30 until 16:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS
GEORGE MCRAE THE ARCHITECT
The impressive Edwardian-Baroque architecture that informs the Department of Education was designed by George McRae and completed in 1912 This exceptional and significant architecture is now home to Capella Sydney.
George McRae migrated from Edinburgh to Sydney, where he became the distinguished Government Architect of New South Wales The elaborate Romanesque architecture of the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) was also designed by George McRae and dates back to 1898
Your tour will uncover the QVB’s mercurial history and explore its iconic architecture Our Culturist team will escort you to the QVB where the tour will commence. The tour concludes at the QVB
Friday 30 May at 10:00 until 11:30
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS VITALITY WALK
As the city awakens for the day join Culturist, Luke for an invigorating and brisk 3-5km walk
Enjoy the stillness of the morning light and watch the harbour come alive
Each Wednesday in June at 08:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS CULTURIST HOTEL TOUR
Explore the stories of our site's unique heritage - its history, architecture and interiors
Discover the art works commissioned by Capella Sydney that reflect on this heritage
It’s a journey of discovery led by one of our Culturists
Each Thursday in June at 10:30 until 11:30
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS ART DISCOVERY
Discover the art collection of Capella Sydney and the public sculpture in our neighbourhood
Fiona McIntosh is an art advisor and tour leader with an extensive knowledge of the Australian visual arts scene and deep understanding of contemporary art practices
Drawing on her strong network of artists, curators and galleries, and knowledge of public collections, sculpture and major art events, Fiona develops and leads tours of the “best of art” on offer anytime in Sydney
Fiona has worked with The Art Gallery of NSW and the Biennale of Sydney, among others She is the VIP Relations Manager (Australia) for ART SG, the leading international contemporary art fair in Singapore
Thursday 05 June at 10:30 until 12:00
Wednesday 18 June at 10:30 until 12:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS
CARRIAGEWORKS SEASONAL MARKET
Welcome in the cooler months with the freshest winter produce at the Winter Seasonal Market
Experience the essence of Sydney’s culinary scene at the weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market, a beloved institution showcasing the freshest seasonal produce and artisanal delights from local growers and producers across NSW
Curated by acclaimed chef Mike McEnearney, the Carriageworks Farmers Market follows a strict Market Charter to ensure quality and uphold its connection to growers and producers
Our experience starts in The Living Room at 08:00
Saturday 14 June from 08:00 until 10:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS ARCHITECTURE WALK
Capella has teamed up with architect Eoghan Lewis, founder of the Sydney Architecture Walks and award-winning practice Eoghan Lewis Architects
Delivered in an informal and conversational manner, the tour is historically informed and the context contemporary
It will expose you to new ways of thinking about and seeing Sydney
Saturday 07 June at 10:00 until 12:00 Friday 20 June at 10:00 until 12:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS GLOBAL WELLNESS DAY
Global Wellness Day (GWD 2025) encourages people to pause, reflect, and take meaningful action towards improving their well-being
One of the themes for GWD 2025 is to encourage people to reconnect with nature
Join us for a private walking tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens and immerse yourself in Australia's oldest botanic garden overlooking Sydney’s iconic harbour
Our Culturists will escort you to the Royal Botanic Gardens and introduce you to your expert guide
The tour concludes at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Saturday 14 June at 10:00 - 12:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is Australia’s oldest botanic garden located in the very heart of Sydney overlooking Sydney’s iconic harbour
Explore the Garden and its remarkable history, botany and wildlife on a 1 5 hour guided walk
It’s a unique opportunity to explore the Garden with one of the botanic gardens knowledgeable guides You’ll discover the Garden’s rich heritage and plant diversity
Our Culturist team will escort you to the Botanic Gardens and introduce you to your expert guide
The tour concludes at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Saturday 21 June at 10:00 - 12:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
THE HARBOUR SERIES EXPLORE LAVENDER BAY
Join our Culturist led tour to explore Wendy Whiteley’s extraordinary Secret Garden nestled in Lavender Bay
This is the extraordinary story of how a determined, passionate and deeply creative woman has slowly transformed a disused rail corridor into a harbourside sanctuary
For more than twenty years Wendy Whiteley has worked to create a public garden at the foot of her harbourside home Wendy and her renowned artist husband, the late Brett Whiteley, set up their family home in Lavender Bay in 1970 Brett Whiteley is one of Australia’s most eminent artists
From Circular Quay we travel to Lavender Bay aboard one of Sydney’s iconic ferries to Milsons Point It’s a brief walk from the wharf to Wendy’s Garden where you will have time to explore the tiered gardens with magnificent views across the Harbour and discover the pathways that reveal wonderful sculptures
Saturday 28 June at 10:00 - 12:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
AURIGA SPA WELLNESS
Your path to rejuvenation starts at Auriga Spa
World-class wellness nestled among decades of architectural history
AURIGA SPA FLUIDFORM
In-house guests can also access exclusive Fluidform at Home workouts, ideal for guests looking to maintain their wellness regimen while travelling
At Capella Sydney, we ’ re dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for guests of all ages
From special in-room amenities, to hands-on workshops and seasonal activities, your Little Stars will be treated to one-of-a-kind experiences
Parents must be present for all Little Stars programs
LITTLE STARS DOODLING
Your Little Stars are sure to enjoy some colouring in with our reusable and sustainable colouring mats
Designed for hours of creative fun
Each Sunday 10:00 - 11:00
No Reservation required
Chip, like most other gulls, is wild about chips He likes fat chips, skinny chips, sandy chips, crunchy or soggy chips But, most of all, he loves Joe's chips from Joe's Chip Van beside the sea
Join us for a wonderful hour of storytelling hour where we introduce the award winning author and illustrator Kylie Howarth's endearing children's book 'CHIP' to your Little Stars
Saturday 24 May at 10:00 until 11:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS PAINT LIKE KEN DONE
Ken Done is one of Australia’s most iconic artists
His paintings capture the very essence of life on and around Sydney’s vibrant harbour
Join us for a colourful and playful painting workshop and learn to paint like Ken does!
Saturday 31 May at 10:00 until 11:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA MOMENTS WHALE OF A TIME
With the annual whale migration well underway let’s create a majestic and colorful collage of a humpback whale
Using recycled materials Little Stars will each create a beautiful large-scale whale
Little Stars will have a whale of a time making and creating their collages
Saturday 07 June at 10:00 until 11:00 Saturday 14 June at 10:00 until 11:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
LITTLE STARS
LITTLE “STAR-CHITECTS” WORKSHOP
Let's get busy building!
Little “Star-chitects” will create their very own hotel!
Bring along your creativity and imagination as we build hotels made with recycled materials
What will your hotel look like?
Saturday 21 June at 10:00 until 11:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
LITTLE STARS COLLAGE WORKSHOP
Little Stars are invited to join us on a journey of creativity as they create their very own Echnida using foraged Australian native leaves, flowers and berries
It will be a colourful and fun workshop celebrating one of Australia's most iconic native animals
Collage is derived from the French verb coller, meaning "to glue" It refers to both the technique and the artwork in which materials are arranged and glued
Saturday 28 June at 10:00 until 11:00
Reservations are required by 18:00 the day prior
CAPELLA CURATES
WORLD-CLASS
EXPERIENCES
We take pride in curating unique experiences punctuated with unforgettable moments that will delight and enrich for years to come
Curate your world-class experience with Capella Sydney's expert Culturists
CAPELLA CURATES SAIL AWAY
Step aboard the historic Southwinds, a timeless 1950's yacht steeped in elegance and adventure Sip champagne, savour fresh oysters, and soak up Sydney’s Iconic Harbour
CAPELLA CURATES THE STORY OF JØRN UTZON
Led by Sydney architect Eoghan Lewis, ‘The Story of Jørn Utzon’ provides a textured portrait of Danish architect and his greatest work, The Sydney Opera House
CAPELLA CURATES
WINE, DINE & CRIME
Join Max Burns-McRuvie as he exposes the dimly-lit underworld of Sydney’s 19th century Opium Dens and Gambling Haunts Explore the unique historic sites around The Rocks for a truly immersive experience like no other
