citystopover
From
sickness
to health
Michelle Hespe visits the old quarantine station
at Sydney's North Head and finds that this onceterrifying destination for the sick and travel-weary
is now a retreat where health reigns supreme.
I
am sitting, back straight, one leg stretched out to the
side, breathing deeply. I gently arch sideways and
reach towards my knees. Sprawled before me is Sydney
Harbour in all its glittering glory, the morning sun
making the water shimmer as yachts and ferries glide across
the impressive expanse. The modern city sits tall and proud
on the horizon. The yoga teacher takes our group of six
through some final stretches and then we close our eyes and
sit in silence to finish the session.
It's fascinating to think we've gathered to focus on our
health and wellbeing in a place where thousands of
immigrants were once quarantined, many of them dying of
all sorts of horrible diseases, and many never making it to the
then-fledgling settlement of Sydney.
Left and above: An aerial shot of Q Station as it is today; an historic image showing people
landing at the old quarantine station wharf.
XXIII
