Old Quarantine Station
Not long after Europeans started settling in South Australia it became obvious that seriously ill new arrivals from overseas needed to be segregated from the rest of the population. A practical solution was to quarantine affected passengers for as long as was necessary.
Built in 1879 the Quarantine Station on Torrens Island was isolated, but within reach of Adelaide and so was the first line of defence to stop diseases like small pox being brought into the colony by ships passengers.
The Commonwealth Government took over administration of the site between 1912 and the 1950's, many of the buildings were erected during that time.
Note: There is no access to the site due to security for Torrens Island Power Station. The Port Adelaide Maritime Museum sometimes take tours to the site.
For more information go to the Friends of the Torrens Island Quarantine Station website.
Enhance your trails experience, for more information about South Australian trails including bike, walking, scuba and horse trails go the the SA Trails website: www.southaustraliantrails.com
Photos taken by P. J. Carter.
