Historic Q Station Tour

About

Sprawled across the hillside at the edge of Sydney Harbour, the historic Quarantine Station pairs its striking Sydney Harbour National Park setting with a remarkable story of transformation.

Exclusive to National Trust members and guests, this bespoke 90-minute guided tour traces the site’s layered history – from its deep Aboriginal heritage and cultural significance, through its evolution as a quarantine station, to its role today as an enduring landmark in Sydney’s history.

For over 150 years, the Quarantine Station was the first stop in Australia for many immigrants embarking on a new life after long and arduous journeys from their homelands. Ships carrying passengers suspected of contagious diseases – such as Spanish Influenza, Smallpox, or Bubonic Plague – were quarantined here to protect the wider Sydney community. While this practice was ultimately a success for the growing city, it left a lasting mark on those who experienced it firsthand.

Step beyond the surface and see the Quarantine Station as it truly was – a compelling story of survival, adaptation and sustainability. Stories of love and loss unfold alongside narratives of cultural and social change, as well as medical history and progress.

Starting at Q Station’s Reception, the tour follows the walking route down the hillside and finishes at the wharf for lunch, an assortment of delicious sandwiches, sweet treats, fruit and beverages. Afterwards, guests may walk back to Reception or catch the Q Station’s 11‑seat…