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 and is situated inside a national park.

Q Station offers history, education, ghost & paranormal tours, accommodation, dining, massage, wedding or conference facilities, a beautiful public beach, a Visitor Centre with a free historical exhibit & 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.

What type of tours do you have?
We run history, educational, ghost and paranormal tours every week. We also offer a range of education excursions as well as custom tours on topics ranging from nature to sustainable tourism.

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 1551 .

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?
You can pay cash for public Wharf Wander or Quarantine Station Story Tours in the Visitor Centre on the day of the tour subject to availability. Most of our Ghost Tours are often fully booked a week or more in advance and we must take payment at the time of booking. Please call Tour Reservations on 9466 1551 to check if spots are available to avoid disappointment.

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.

Something's wrong! One of the tours doesn't appear on the booking calendar!
Once a tour limit has been reached, it will disappear from the calendar. Please choose another day (for weekly tours) or month (for monthly tours). If you need help please call Tour Reservations on 9466 1551.

How far in advance do I need to book a tour?
Due to the popularity of our tours and to avoid disappointment, we recommend you secure your booking ASAP. Weekend ghost tours tend to book up at least a week or more in advance. Our specialty tours have been known to book up months in advance.

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 (or cash onsite) on the same day. Click here or call us on 02 9466 1551 & speak with Reception or the Visitor Centre.

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 15-20+ people or more, for any tour we offer on any day of the week. Conditions apply. Call us on (02) 9466 1551 or email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I would like to conduct filming, write an article or promote Q Station. How do I arrange this?
Please contact the Director of Sales & Marketing on (02) 9466 1599 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Is there car parking available? Yes, we have private car parking available just inside our main gate on North Head Scenic Drive.

Can I get to Q Station by boat?
Yes, services such as Water Taxis and private vessels are permitted to disembark passengers at Quarantine Wharf. Vessels are not permitted to tie up to the Wharf itself for any amount of time.

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). Our Q Station shuttle will take you to the Wharf Precinct where your tour will start. This is to help minimize impact (to the plants, wildlife and heritage structures) on the site.

I do not have a car, how do I get to Q Station?
Please visit our website for details on getting to Q Station.Click Here.

I do not have a car, how do I leave Q Station?
It is a 15-minute walk from our car park, down to Manly via North Head Scenic Drive & Darley Road. If you are doing this at night, we recommend you carry a torch with you as the first 500 meters of road is not well lit.

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 will be charged and will be taken off the refunded amount. Alternatively, with 48 hours notice, we can reschedule your booking to a date within the next 3 months.

If I miss a tour, can I get a refund or reschedule to a later date?
Missed tours will not be refunded or rescheduled.

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.

It is raining. Will the tour still go ahead?
Our tours run rain, hail or shine. Please bring an umbrella or raincoat etc to keep yourself comfortable during your tour. Umbrellas and ponchos are available to purchase in the Visitors Centre during open hours. 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?
We recommend that you arrive at Q Station at least 35 minutes prior to the start of your tour.If you arrive earlier there are always things you can do, such as browsing our Visitor Centre and free quarantine history exhibition or grabbing a coffee in our kiosk. You can also order a light meal in the Boilerhouse Bar or simply enjoy our spectacular view! (click here for opening times)

How do I get down to where my tour starts?
When you have arrived at Q Station, go into Reception and let them know you are here for a tour. They will direct you to our free shuttle bus service which will take you down to our Wharf Precinct to start your tour.

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 it will not be refunded.

How is the tour conducted?
All tours are walking tours. Due to the unique nature of our site your tour may include hills with inclines and declines, so please come prepared to walk a lot.

Are your tours wheelchair accessible?
Most tour buildings are wheelchair accessible and we have accessible toilets, however not all toilets are accessible. Please notify us at time of booking if you have special needs regarding mobility.

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 start at the scheduled time and will not wait for late arrivals. Please arrive at Q Station 35 minutes prior to the start of your tour to avoid disappointment. Missed tours will not be refunded. Persons who arrive after the scheduled tour start time will not be admitted to the tour and will not be refunded.

Can I bring a camera?
Yes. You may use still photography during your tour, please follow your guides directions as to when and where. Video or audio recording is not allowed.

Can I eat during the tour?
There is no eating permitted on tours however you may carry and consume bottled water during your tour.

Can I smoke on tour?
No, Q Station is located in a National Park and although there are smoking areas available, there are no smoking breaks during our tours.

Does your Ghosty Sleepover tour offer smoking, toilet or bathing facilities?
As our Ghosty Sleepover is an overnight experience there will be time for smoking and toilet breaks during the night. Bathing facilities however are not available.

Where do you sleep during the Ghosty Sleepover?
You will be sleeping inside a carpeted building in one of our most haunted Precincts. A sleeping bag and floor mat is recommended.

Do you serve lunch or dinner?
Yes! The Visitor Centre offers sandwiches, coffee, milkshakes, and other sweet and savory snacks.The all-day dining menu consisting of fish and chips, burgers, pizza and salads is available Monday through Thursday, 11am to 4 pm, from Views Restaurant, and Friday through Sunday from 11am from the Engine Room Lounge. We also offer a Ghosty Dine deal which includes a meal at our Boilerhouse Restaurant and a ticket on the Adult Ghost Tour. Please phone our Tour Reservations on (02) 9466 1551 to book.

Can I bring alcohol on the tour or shuttle bus?
Alcohol may be not be carried, nor consumed during the tour or on 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 and paranormal tours ranging from 45 minutes to overnight. We can also accommodate school groups and 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 and enjoyment of the site.

Do you store my bag whilst I am on tour?
No. We do not have storage facilities.

Why can't my 15 year old go on the Adult Ghost Tour, or 17 year old go on the Extreme Ghost Tour or Ghosty Sleepover?
The Adult Ghost Tour contains adult themes and is only suitable for people 16 years and older. The Extreme Ghost Tour includes frequent coarse language, horror, sexual and adult themes and is only suitable for people aged 18 and above. Even if your child might be exceptionally mature, these tours are designed to be adult experiences.

Is the Quarantine Station really haunted?
We've been visited by ghost hunters and paranormal researchers from all over the world who believe it is. Some of our staff and tour patrons have had inexplicable experiences. Join us on a ghost or paranormal tour and you may find out!

Can you guarantee we will see a ghost on our tour?
We cannot guarantee that you will see or experience a ghost on our ghost or paranormal tours as we have no control over the ghosts, however Q Station is a site where people have had paranormal experiences including staff and tour patrons.

Do you cater for school groups?
Yes! We offer a diverse range of stimulating and interactive educational programs for students ranging from primary to University and beyond. We can also cater for School Holiday groups.

My daughter or son would love a birthday party at Q Station!
You’re in luck! We offer Ghosty Birthday Parties which kids love! The Ghosty Party includes a spooky party room, food, drinks and a Family Ghost Tour.

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?
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?
The Quarantine Station has three official burial grounds. The first burial ground is accessible on most tours however the tombstones were removed in 1857. 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 onsite, 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 and is managed by North Head Sanctuary. Click here for more information or call (02) 8969 2131.