Quaranup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quaranup |
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Quaranup from Atatürk Entrance
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| General information | |
| Type | Historic Quarantine Station |
| Location | Albany, Western Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°03′08.7″S 117°54′48.6″E / 35.052417°S 117.913500°E |
| Official name | Quaranup Complex |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 14 December 2001 |
| Reference no. | 84 |
Quaranup, also called Camp Quaranup, was once a special place where people arriving by ship had to stay if they were sick. This was done to stop diseases from spreading. It's located in Albany, Western Australia. Today, it's a popular camp for visitors.
The camp sits in a beautiful nature reserve on the Vancouver Peninsula. It has amazing views of Albany and the water. The site has 17 buildings made of stone and timber, each with its own unique look.
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Why Was Quaranup Built?
A quarantine station was needed because people on ships arriving in Albany sometimes got sick. For example, in 1865, there was an illness on the ship Bombay. In 1872, there was a worry about smallpox on the Rangatira.
Things really changed when some important officials, including Frederick Barlee, got stuck in tents on a cold, empty island for two weeks. They were not happy! After that, they pushed for a proper, permanent quarantine station near the port.
The first part of Quaranup was built in 1875. It had a caretaker's cottage and a jetty (a pier for boats).
Growing Over Time
More buildings were added to Quaranup over the years. In 1878, a special stone building called a powder magazine was built on Geake Island. It was used to store ammunition safely.
By 1897, many more buildings were ready. These included homes for the doctor and servants, a special ward for sick people, a place for funerals (mortuary), a laundry, a general store, and comfortable rooms for first-class passengers. In 1903, a fumigation bath house (to clean things with special gases) and another jetty were added.
Quaranup was used to help control different diseases until 1930. After a final outbreak of influenza (the flu), the station was mostly closed down.
Quaranup During Wartime
During World War II, Quaranup had a new role. It became a base for submarines. In 1942, American soldiers also stayed there for "rest and recuperation" (R&R), which means they came to relax and recover.
From Station to Camp
The quarantine station officially closed in 1956. Later that year, a family called the Wheelers leased the site. They changed its name to Camp Quaranup. The Wheelers ran the camp until 1970.
After that, the local government (Shire of Albany) took over. In 1971, they leased the camp to the Albany Youth Committee.
In 1977, the National Trust of Australia recognized Quaranup as an important historical site. They valued its unique buildings and its long history.
Quaranup Today
In 1992, the Department of Sport and Recreation leased the camp to Rob and Joanne Lucas. They managed it for many years. In 1997, they built a lookout point at the highest spot on the peninsula, called Quarantine Hill. From this lookout, you can see many interesting places nearby, like Cheyne Beach Whaling Station, Torndirrup National Park, and Princess Royal Harbour.
Camp Quaranup was closed for renovations in late 2005 and early 2006. It reopened in April 2006 after a big upgrade that cost A$1.1 million. The kitchen was updated, bathrooms improved, and new water systems were installed. Harmful materials like asbestos were also safely removed.
Today, Camp Quaranup continues to be a popular place for school camps, group stays, and family holidays, offering a blend of history and outdoor fun.
