Q Station
What is Q Station?
Q Station is a unique site which was used as a Quarantine Station from the 1833 to 1984. Due to its unique nature, it has a very significant place in Australian history. Q Station is a heritage site & is situated inside a national park.
Q Station offers tours, accommodation, dining, conference facilities & much more.
Where is Q Station?
Q Station is located in Manly, a suburb of Sydney, Australia in an area known as North Head. We are about 20-30 minutes from the CBD.
How do I get to Q Station?
Visit our Getting Here page for information on how to get to Q Station.
Can I just wander around by myself?
Due to the heritage nature and OH&S risks associated with the site day visitors are restricted to the Wharf Precinct during opening hours unless they are on a tour accompanied by a Q Station guide. To find out more about tours click here. Accommodation guests are free to access the entire retreat area.
booking
When do you run the tours?
Click here for tour availability and bookings.
Click here to find out more about the tours.
How do I book a place on one of your tours?
Booking could not be easier! Click here to book securely online, or call us on 02 9466 1500 .
How can I pay?
The fastest way to secure your booking is to pay via Credit Card. Click here to use our secure online booking system or you can also provide the details to us over the phone.
Can I pay by Cash?
Yes only if the tour is paid for in 48 hours in advance. You can pay cash at our Visitors Centre (see here for opening times). However you can pay cash for public Wharf Wander Tours in the Visitor Centre on the day .
Can I make a tentative booking?
No. Due to the popularity of our tours, tentative bookings cannot be taken. We recommend payment by credit card online Click here, or by phone to secure your booking & avoid disappointment.
How far in advance do I need to book a tour?
Due to the popularity of our tours, to avoid disappointment we recommend you secure your booking ASAP.
I would like to book a tour at the late minute, is this possible?
Yes - if spaces are available you can book a tour using your Credit Card on the same day. Click here or call us on 02 9466 1500 .
I have a group of people who are interested in doing a tour. Can we arrange a private tour?
Private tours are available for groups of 15 people or more. Conditions apply. Call us on (02) 9466 1500 or email us at reservations@qstation.com.au & we will see what we can do.
I would like to conduct filming, write an article or promote Q Station. How do I arrange this?
Visit our Media page for contact details.
transport
Is there car parking available? Yes, we have private car parking available just inside our main gate on North Head Scenic Drive.
Can I drive & park near to where the tour starts?
Due to the heritage nature of the site, cars belonging to day visitors must be parked in our free car park (just inside the entrance to Q Station). This is to help minimise impact on the heritage site, animals & national park.
I do not have a car, how do I get to Q Station?
Please visit our website for details on getting to Q Station. We also have a courtesy shuttle bus which you can board opposite Manly Wharf. Please see our website for scheduled pickup times.
I do not have a car, how do I leave Q Station?
There is a 10 minute walk from our car park, down to Manly via North Head Scenic Drive.
If leaving after dark, you may want to board our free Manly Shuttle bus which runs at scheduled times. Visit our website for a list of shuttle times.
If you do use the free attending shuttle an Adult Ghost tour, we recommend you book onto the 8pm tour so you can board the 1030pm Manly shuttle at the conclusion. Pplease let your tour guide know at the start of your tour. if you intend to use this transport.
I have booked a tour with a group of friends & will be travelling by ferry; can we still use your courtesy shuttle bus from Manly?
Yes! If you have a group of people who want to take advantage of our courtesy shuttle bus (one or both ways), please call us on 9466 1500 so we can make sure we have adequate space available.
Can your shuttle bus pick us up from another location?
Unfortunately we are only able to pick you up from the kiss & ride collection point (opposite Manly Wharf) in Manly. We feel that this is a central location & convenient for everyone.
payment
I have booked a tour for next weekend, but I cannot make it. Can I change the booking?
Yes. If you call us at least 48 hours prior to your tour, we are able to reschedule your booking to a date within the next 3 months.
I have changed my mind, can I get a refund?
Bookings can be cancelled up to 48 hours prior to the start time of your tour. A 10% cancellation fee is chargeable and will be taken off the refunded amount. Alternatively we can reschedule your booking to a date within the next 3 months with 48 hours notice.
If I miss a tour, can I get a refund?
Missed tours will not be refunded.
I am staying at the Q Station in accommodation, is there any other way I can pay?
Yes. We can add any tour to your bill which you pay upon checkout. Contact us directly to arrange.
tours
It is raining. Will the tour still go ahead?
Our tours run rain, hail or shine. If you decide not to come because of the weather you will not be refunded.
When should I arrive for my tour?
Please arrive at Q Station 35 minutes prior to the start of your tour.
How do I get down to where my tour starts?
When you have arrived at Q Station, take a seat in our undercover waiting shelter. Our free shuttle bus service will pick you up from the shelter, and take you down to our Wharf Precinct where your tour will start.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, flat, enclosed walking shoes are essential. Thongs, sandals or open shoes are not permitted. Please dress appropriately for that day. If you are not wearing appropriate footwear you will not be permitted on the tour and will not be refunded.
How is the tour conducted?
All tours are walking tours & include hills with inclines & declines, please come prepared to walk alota lot. Tour buildings are wheel chair accessible; please notify us at time of booking.
What is the duration of your the tours?
Our tours range from 45 minutes to overnight.
Will the tour wait for me if I'm late?
Our tours must start as close to their start time as possible to permit time to walk around our buildings, so they will not wait for latecomers. Please arrive at Q Station 35 minutes prior to the start of your tour to avoid disappointment. Missed tours will not be refunded.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes. You may use still photography during your tour. Video or audio recording is not allowed.
Can I eat during the tour?
No. However you may carry & consume bottled water during your tour.
Can I bring alcohol on the tour or shuttle bus?
Alcohol may be not be carried, nor consumed during the tour or transport. For your safety, your tour guide has the right to refuse participation to tour patrons who appear to be intoxicated at the beginning or during of the tour. A refund will not be issued.
Which tour do you recommend?
Click here to find out more information about our tours. Q Station offers a variety of history, ghost & paranormal tours ranging from 45 minutes to overnight. We can also accommodate school groups & birthday parties!.
How many people are on your tours?
The number of people on tour depends on the day. We try to keep tours to a maximum of 24 people to increase your experience & enjoyment of the site.
Why can't my 15 year old go on the adult ghost tour?
The adult ghost tour contains adult themes and is only suitable for people 16 years and above.
Is the Quarantine Station really haunted?
We've been visited by ghost hunters & paranormal researchers from all over the world who believe it is. Staff & tour patrons have had some inexplicable experiences. Come on a ghost or paranormal tour & you may find out!
Can you guarantee we will see a ghost on our tour?
Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that you will see or experience a ghost on our ghost or paranormal tours as we cannot control the ghosts, however Q Station is a site where people have had paranormal experiences including staff & tour patrons.
history
When did the Quarantine Station operate?
The first ship to be Quarantined in Spring Cove was the convict ship - the Bussorah Merchant in 1828. The convicts and their guards were housed in tents on shore. However, it was not until 1833 that an area was specifically set aside as a place for quarantine. The Quarantine Station closed down in 1984.
Do you have a list of people who were quarantined?
Unfortunately no, the passenger lists are held by the National Archives of Australia and State Records of NSW.
My relative died at the Quarantine Station can I visit to view their grave stone?
o The Quarantine Station has three official burial grounds. The first burial ground is accessible on most tours. Some of the headstones from the first two burial grounds are available to view in our Visitor Centre or can be seen during a Quarantine Station Story tour, Click here to book. Only one grave remains in situ, that of Issac Lowes who is buried in the second burial ground.
The third burial ground (1881- 1919) is located in the grounds of the Former School of Artillery which is managed by North Head Sanctuary. Click here for more information or call (02) 8969 2131.