Saturday 11th September 2010
10am - 4pm
Since 1833, Sydney’s Q Station has seen thousands of faces pass through, each with a different story to tell. Some would have wonderful accounts of a leisurely life while others would tell tales of tears and tragedy.
The Australian spirit was shaped by experiences of hardship and friendship forged at the former Quarantine Station. Today the site pays homage to our history as well as providing a sanctuary for reflection, rejuvenation and transformation.
Memorabilia surrounds you and echoes the experiences of that time. Inscriptions in the sandstone wall near The Luggage Store Visitor’s Centre illustrate the multicultural mix of immigrants into Australia. The inscriptions tell tales of the segmentation between first and third class accommodation; the difference was like ‘being on holiday’ versus ‘arriving in the wild’.
Discover the stories for yourself and join us on Community Day for exhibitions, theatre, history tours, live music and activities for the kids.
Come and Explore
- Manly Warringah Historical Society
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Eco Divers
- Bear Cottage
- Q Station Conference, Accommodation and Events information
- Boilerhouse Restaurant
- Luggage Store Visitor Centre
- Live Music
Join us for our scheduled activities including:
defiance act 1
Written by Jamie Jackson and Carlton Lamb 2008, with amendments by Julianne Kiely and Anna Williams 2010
Take an incredible journey back in time with the real story of Sydney’s past, riddled with disease and the amazing human spirit that shone through...
Join us for the amateur premiere of defiance- Act 1, a play that explores the Royal Commission into the Quarantine Station of 1881.
Three shows only, spaces limited so book early!
Times:
11am, 1pm and 3pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings Essential
This tour is for those who don't have much time to spare (45min). Join a guide and grab a brief overview of the history of the Quarantine Station. Find out what's behind the closed doors in the Wharf
Times:
Leave every hour on the half hour from the Visitor Centre beginning at 10:30am until 2:30pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings Essential
kid's activity space
Face painting and craft activities
Time:
10am - 4pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings:
Not required
wildflower walks
Want to discover some of North Head's greatest beauties? Join a National Parks and Wildlife guide for a wild flower walk to North Head and learn more about our native flora.
Times:
11am, 12noon, 1pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings Essential
wildlife encounters
Native animals up close and personal
Meet live Australian native animals including possums and snakes
Times:
12noon and 2pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings:
Not required
quarantine station story tour
Experience the serene natural surrounds while you learn about the day to day living experiences of our early quarantine guests.
Hear how passengers were segregated according to their passenger ticket; see the autoclaves used to sterilise luggage and personal effects; experience the inhalation chambers and hear how they were used; visit the hospital and doctors and nurses station; see equipment and conditions.
Read the wonderful inscriptions left by early guests.
Time:
3pm
Cost:
Family: $90, Adult: $35, Concession: $25 ($10 from every ticket sold will go to Bear Cottage)
Bookings Essential
Learn more from our presenters
Perry Mcintyre, Historian
lady macnaghten
Learn about the details of the voyage of the Lady Macnaghten and Quarantine. Travelling from Ireland with 414
immigrants on board, 73 or whom died during the voyage of cholea, typhus and scarlet. Dr Perry McIntyre explores
this journey and examines what this and other 19th century immigrant voyages would have been like.
This presentation offers an opportunity for book signing afterwards.
Time:
10am-10:30pm and 1pm-1:30pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings Essential
Felicity Pulman, Author
the 1881 royal commission
Find out about the actual historical event that inspired defiance - Act 1 as you hear about the Royal Commission into
the management of the Quarantine Station during the 1880's smallpox epidemic and the hospital hulk "Faraway."
Time:
12-12:45pm and 2-2:45pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings Essential
Dave Thomas
eco divers
Eco Divers are a local volunteer marine conservation group dedicated to the protection, preservation and promotion of our marine environment and its inhabitants. The group is conducts marine animal rescue, clean ups and community education. They also take on survey and monitoring work, assist a range of scientists with research projects and document it all with underwater videos and photographs.
Join Dave Thomas as he presents on marine conservation and discover more about the Eco Divers’ involvement with Seagrass at Q Station.
Time:
11-11:30am and 3-3:30pm
Cost:
Free
Bookings:
Essential. Call (02) 9466 1500.
Boilerhouse Events
Join us for the following free events at our restaurant, where you
can attend a masterclass with our Chef de Cuisine or wine tasting
classes, exploring the different wine categories.
Masterclass (limited numbers, be early to ensure entry)
10:30am to 11am
Sous Vide masterclass with Amit Laud, Chef de Cuisine, will showcase this method of cooking by making one of our
signature entrée dishes; pork belly, polish cabbage & celeriac remoulade.
wine tasting
Sparkling and Champagne Tasting
11am
Compare Australian Sparkling with French Champagne
Riesling Tasting
12 noon
Explore new and old world Riesling
Chardonnay Tasting
1pm
Sample a range of traditional and progressive Australian Chardonnay!
Shiraz, Cabernet and Friends Tasting
2pm
Sample big bold modern Australian Reds! Not one to miss.
further information and bookings
For further information and bookings for any of the Community Day Events, phone (02) 9466 1500
getting here
Q Station is located within Sydney Harbour Nation park, five minutes drive from Manly and 30 minutes from the Sydney CBD.
by bus
Take advantage of our complimentary Shuttle Bus. Our shuttle departs from the kiss & ride collection point opposite manly wharf.
Transport outside these times between Manly and Q Station can be arranged through
contact with our reservations office.
The 135 bus operates a service from Manly Wharf to Q Station and North Head. Call 131500 for a bus timetable or visit www.131500.com.
For more information and bookings please call (02) 9466 1500
North Head Scenic Drive, Manly NSW 2095
by car
It takes approximately 30 minutes to drive from the city.
1. Drive to Manly and turn right off Sydney Road into Belgrave Street and then turn left at Manly Wharf.
2. Take the first left onto Wentworth Street (sign-posted North Head), take the next right ontoDarley Road and go straight over the roundabout continuing on Darley Road.
3. Drive past Manly Hospital and through the stone arch "Parkhill" towards North Head Sydney Harbour National Park.
4. Pass North Head Former School of Artillery and when you reach the mini-roundabout turn right to enter Q Station
*In-house guests should drive to front gate and press intercom to contact the Hotel Reception. Once gate is opened follow signpost to Reception to check-in.
*If arriving to Q Station for a tour, show or meal, guests should enter Q Station and turn right into the car park and await the regular shuttle bus to enter site.
