Medusa Hotel is a colourful accommodation in Darlinghurst that celebrates bold design and family hospitality.
Sydney has no shortage of fabulous accommodations. Big hotel chains dominate the city, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover some more charming, intimate stays. Medusa Hotel , just east of Sydney’s CBD, is one such gem, and it stands out for its bold design and family-run hospitality.
When I arrive at Medusa Hotel, I’m greeted by its bold pink heritage facade. The boutique hotel is housed within a restored 1800s terrace, reimagined in August 2025 by Sydney-based design firm Kahlo Collective. It feels quintessentially Sydney – only more fun – with Olivia Dean’s music playing gently outside.
The pink townhouse sits in the inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst.
Bold design meets contemporary charm.
A cosy nook with velvet curtains.
Inside, I find richly layered interiors that blend heritage charm with playful modern design – a tapestry of colours, textures and statement furnishings. I’m delighted to find that 15 different wallpapers have been used to elevate the property. Staff are friendly and whisk me away down a brightly-lit hallway with a vintage-style carpet in pinks, pale blue and yellow. There are just 18 rooms, all of them are unique and invite guests to “choose a room to match their mood."
The hotel features 15 different wallpapers.
I was lucky enough to experience two different room types: The Daydream and The Grand Velvet. On the first night, I stay in The Daydream, a small but beautifully appointed space swathed in pale pink. It’s decorated with four-leaf clover–shaped sconces and carpeting that echoes the hotel’s logo, while sleek, modern joinery adds a contemporary touch. A sculptural chandelier composed of scalloped glass shells brings a final note of glamour.
The bathroom is comparatively generous. There’s a luxe bath, burgundy marble basin, glossy green subway tiles, fluted glass, pink and beige chequered tiles and an adorably quirky side table with an ostrich base. Even though housed in a terrace home, there was thankfully plenty of natural light which flooded the room and a view overlooking the courtyard.
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The spacious and character-filled Grand Velvet suite.
Bathrooms are as richly decorate as the rooms.
On the second night, I move into one of the more opulent The Grand Velvet suites. It’s romantic, washed in varying shades of pink and green, with a materials palette of velvet and marble, elevated by gold accents. A dramatic ceiling height, large stone fireplace and an antler horn chandelier add to the grandness, while a separate seating area, which can be closed off with velvet curtains, creates a comfortable nook to write this article.
All of the hotel’s bathrooms are stocked with Aesop handwash, shampoo and conditioner and Dyson hairdryers, and all rooms are equipped with kitchenettes (microwave, bar fridge, sink, tea/coffee facilities and utensils for light dining).
The Courtyard Cove rooms channel minimal, Mediterranean vibes.
I peeked inside one of the Courtyard Cove rooms and these take on a more relaxed, Mediterranean style, swathed in neutral tones.
There’s no restaurant on-site, but the hotel’s positioning in Darlinghurst means it really doesn’t need one. Some of my favourite bars and restaurants are within walking distance, including The Waratah, Love Tilly Devine, Caravin and Joe’s Table.
Medusa Hotel feels like the antidote to large, business-centric stays. It was refreshing to stay somewhere completely unlike any other accommodation I’ve experienced in Sydney, staying true to its dedicated hashtag: #AnythingButOrdinary.
Guests can take complimentary Zooper Dooper's from the ice-cream stand.
Best for: Design lovers, couples, city goers, girls’ trips away
Getting there: Medusa Hotel offers a shuttle service to the airport or cruise terminals for $25pp or $23pp if you’re in a pair.
Accessibility: All rooms are accessed via stairs, meaning Medusa Hotel may not be suitable for guests with mobility requirements.
Pet-friendly: Yes
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)
