Located within a 30-hectare site on the North Head of Manly, you will find a unique destination, that is Q Station. An enduring part of Sydney’s history, for 150 years the Quarantine Station was for many the beginning of a new life in Australia after making the arduous and lengthy journey from their homelands. Ships suspected of harbouring people infected with contagious diseases such as Spanish Influenza, Smallpox or Bubonic Plague were quarantined here so that these deadly diseases would not reach the general population in Sydney. Ultimately a success story for the growing Sydney population, it did however leave an indelible mark on those who were quarantined; tales of love and loss play out alongside themes of cultural and social change, medical history and progress.
This will be a guided tour of 90 minutes. The ‘Quarantine Wander’ tour takes place predominantly in the flat area of the wharf precinct, before climbing a short incline to the old hospital precinct. This tour visits the autoclaves, inhalation chamber, shower block and hospital ward, and addresses the migrant arrival process and infectious disease treatment at the Quarantine Station in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Included will be a visit to the other buildings in this area such as the laundry and the morgue, as well as the museum (previously the old luggage store).
DATE: Thursday 24 March 2022
TIME: 11.30pm – 2.00pm (tour 12.30pm)
Limit of 30 people MAX
VENUE: Quarantine Station, 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly NSW Phone: 02 9466 1500
COST: $24.
I propose that we arrive earlier at 11.30am and meet at the Café on site which will be open on the day of our visit and which has a selection of sandwiches, hot food such as sausage rolls and pies, pastries, muffins, tea and coffee. We can also explore alone until the guide is ready. We have been asked to be there at least 15 minutes prior to the tour.
GETTING THERE: There is a shuttle bus which can pick us up from the carpark if we convene there at 11.30am. I will be notifying the station that we would like the shuttle bus to take us from the car-park down to the site at 11.30am and then return us to the car-park after the tour. Alternatively, it is a 15 minute walk.
RSVP TO: [email protected] with your name and mobile phone number. Please wait for confirmation of a place before paying.
Caren Trafford, Monthly Activity Organiser
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Payment Option 1 (Preferred): By Credit Card through the Payments section of the website
Payment Option 2: Online (direct deposit) into the SWIC bank account
Account Name: SWIC Inc.
BSB No: 112-879
Account No: 431-019-281
Description: Monthly Activity Q Station + your initial and surname
GETTING THERE:
Free parking is available at the entrance to the site.
By Car:
Arriving in Manly via Sydney Road, turn right to Belgrave St. Turn left at Manly Wharf. Take the second left (signposted North Head), turn right onto Darley Road and up the hill past Manly Hospital. Go through the stone arch, continue until you reach a roundabout and turn right into Q Station parking area.
Note: A shuttle bus will be available at 11.30 am. Use of personal vehicles is not permitted on the property.
By Bus:
When catching public transport, take the 161 bus that operates between Manly and North Head.
