Point Nepean National Park Quarantine Station

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Established in 1852, the quarantine station at Point Nepean was a vital infectious disease facility for Victoria (and subsequently Australia). Ships would arrive with multiple diseases on board and, as a result, considerable numbers of new arrivals have had to spend their first few weeks here.



The facility began with just a few vacated houses before a jetty and five two-storey bay-facing sandstone hospital blocks were erected. Although the jetty has been demolished, the hospitals stand to this day. The blocks on the hill housed the ill while the blocks on the flat accommodated the healthy. Later, a class-separated system was implemented and passengers were separated by first, second and steerage classes instead. One block was dedicated to the isolation of infectious patients. A two-metre-high galvanised iron fence surrounded this block, and its remnant can still be seen.



A communal bathhouse, along with a washhouse, was also built. The washhouse dealt with infected clothing. Upon arrival, passengers washed themselves in the bathhouse. Their luggage was transported on trolleys from the ship/jetty, passing through a 'foul store' and into the disinfecting building for fumigation before ending up in a 'clean store'. A boiler provided steam for the disinfection machines as well as hot water for the baths etc. Parts of the complex are open to the public and I found the walk-through to be rather fascinating.



In 1916, a large administration building was constructed. It has an impressive facade and is centrally located within the station. Today, it serves as the Point Nepean Information Centre. I'd recommend this as your first port of call when visiting. You can grab a visitor guide and self-guided brochure from there anytime after 10am.



During the Spanish Flu pandemic, twelve wooden huts were quickly designed and built to provide emergency accommodation for returning World War I soldiers. Almost 12,000 of them were quarantined over that intense period in 1919.



The need for infectious disease facilities eventually lessened. As a result, the quarantine station ceased its operations in 1980. It now forms part of Point Nepean National Park . Getting there is easy via Point Nepean Road. The journey from Melbourne takes about 90 minutes. You'll find a car park onsite as well as barbecue facilities, picnic tables and toilets for your convenience.



I must say the station was truly an eye-opening experience for me. Do visit if you're interested in the early European history of Victoria. You won't be disappointed. The park is open daily from 6am to 6pm. For more information including any change of conditions, head to www.parks.vic.gov.au .



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