St Helena Island

Co-ordinates: -27.390066, 153.235480

Access: By Ferry – From Manly By boat – Only allowed on the South West corner.

Part of the Pumicestone passage & Moreton Bay, St Helena island is now designated as National Park.  It’s location just 4km East of the Brisbane river mouth meant it was a great location for a prison in the 1800s and even into the early 1900s.  Swarms of mosquitos, sharks in the river mouth & strong weather/tides meant that escape was almost impossible and the prison in fact turned into one of the most profitable prisons in the history of Queensland.  

The end of 1932 saw the prison close and St Helena island turned into a tourist destination which is still the main draw today.  

Img src – The St Helena Story

There are numerous historic sites accessible to the public but access to the prison ruins and some of the other sites are restricted to guided tours only.  

Access to the South West corner of St Helena Island is however permitted by private boat.

Next – Check out Fisherman Island below