QUEENSLAND Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park Main Page Cape Pallarenda l History l Flora and Fauna Things to do l Marine Park zoning l Access History In 1875 the first quarantine station for the port of Townsville was established at West Point, Magnetic Island. Here passengers on incoming ships could be isolated from the mainland if they were carrying contagious diseases. The isolated site at West Point was difficult to supply and maintain. In 1915 the entire Quarantine Station was relocated to Cape Pallarenda. The Old buildings were disassembled and transported by barge to Pallarenda, where a new jetty was constructed. A new road ran from the township through what is now the airport and the Town Common. People with diseases were quarantined here until 1973, but only 13 fatalities were recorded. These unfortunate Vietnamese deck passenger died from meningitis in 1920. The remains of gun emplacements and search light towers can be found scattered around the headland. During WW11 this area was used by the American and Australian Armies. Camps were set up on nearby beaches and the Quarantine Station was used as a hospital. An Australian Army hospital was also located here from 1966 until tis relocation to Lavarack Barracks in 1974. The buildings were then used by the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority until the area was declared an Environmental Park in 1986.