Our Story
“We stand today on this land, now known as North Head. It is Car-rang gel / Garangal, saltwater country. May we always be respectful of the knowledge borne of the Aboriginal custodianship of this land and the continuing connection to the land, waters, and sky. We honour the presence of the ancestors who reside in the living memory and practice of this land and pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging.“
Sprawled across the hillside on the very edge of Sydney Harbour, the historic Quarantine Station has not only an impressive Sydney Harbour National Park location but also an incredible history behind its more recent transformation into Q Station. This transformation from the often harsh reality of a quarantine station to today’s peaceful accommodation and conference centre is a compelling tale of survival, adaptation and sustainability. Today our site is listed on both State and Commonwealth heritage registers as an integral element of North Head and its Aboriginal, natural and cultural significance.
A place of supreme natural beauty, North Head is home to varied flora and fauna. Endangered populations of eastern long-nosed bandicoots, little penguins, sunshine wattle and eastern suburbs banksia scrub all make their home amidst the built environment of the Quarantine Station.
North Head is also part of the richer history of Aboriginal occupation of Sydney Harbour. Whilst there is little detail in recorded knowledge of the Aboriginal presence on the Manly peninsula, one of the local clans associated with North Head (a tidal island called Car-rang gel) were the Gayimai. Carrang gel was an important ceremonial site used by the Koradgee (the wise ones) of the associated clans of the Northern Beaches. It was a place of significant teaching and ceremonial practice.
Some of the earliest contact and formative interaction between Aboriginal clans and the British colonialists occurred at our site. On 29th January 1788, Captain Hunter and Lieutenant Bradley landed on Quarantine Beach during an initial survey of Sydney Harbour just three days after the First Fleet arrived in Port Jackson.
As Australia’s longest continuously operating quarantine station since 1832, our site has undergone significant change over time. The Quarantine Station’s heritage buildings reflect a rich history, highlighting historical themes of gender, race and class. Thousands of carved sandstone engravings record the diverse cultural and social backgrounds as well as varying experiences of the quarantined passengers. Regardless of the type of experience they had, the spirit forged by the people at the former Quarantine Station helped to shape our nation.
However, the Quarantine Station was not built to last forever. Because the site is rugged, the buildings light weight and the landscapes continually changing, maintaining the Quarantine Station is a constant and very expensive exercise.
After its closure as an operational maritime quarantine facility on 16th March 1984, ownership of the Quarantine Station was transferred from the Commonwealth to the State Government and it was reserved as part of Sydney Harbour National Park. The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) established guided tours and a conference and functions centre.
Despite considerable work by the NPWS over the first 10 years of its management as a national park, many of the buildings and some of the cultural landscape surrounding them fell into disrepair. During the 1990s, NPWS realised that they could not raise enough funds to stop the decline and that private sector funding through more creative and direct use of the site was essential to ensure long term conservation.
In 2006, Mawland Group signed a lease with NPWS. In 2022 the lease to Mawland was transferred to North Head Sydney Pty Ltd. North Head’s plans and proposals for the site will ensure that the site continues to receive the respectful conservation which it deserves.
QUARANTINE WANDER HISTORY TOUR
Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price until August. Sunday to Friday only.
Discover over 150 years of arrivals, hope and new beginnings.
This morning tour explores the historic Wharf Precinct – the heart of the Quarantine Station’s story. Walk among heritage buildings and hear the powerful stories of migrants who journeyed to Australia in search of a new life.
Date & Time: Mon-Thurs 11:00am & Fri-Sun 10:00am
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: Adult $30
Concession $25
Child $15
Family $80 (2 adults, 2 children)
Quarantine Station Conservation and Management
Q Station operates under approvals from NPWS and Heritage NSW within a tight regulatory management framework. This includes
· Conservation Management Plans
· Environmental and Heritage Management plan
· Annual Reporting
· Quarterly Quarantine Station Community Consultative Committee (QSCCC) meetings
The QSCCC was established to assist with the conservation and management of the site and plays an important role in ensuring Q Station engages with the community and stakeholders. The committee is not a decision making or regulatory body: it performs an advisory and consultative role. Government agencies remain responsible for ensuring proponents comply with statutory obligations. Members of the committee contribute their expert knowledge and experience to inform management and achieve conservation outcomes. Members are highly valued for their advice on policies and plans, activities and proposed activities, and for their input into draft plans of management.
If you require further information about the Quarantine Station plans and reports or copies of QSCCC meeting minutes, please contact interpretation@qstation.com.au