Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park Townsville

Photo credit: Phil Copp © Queensland Government

About Cape Pallarenda

    Park features

    The park features the historic Quarantine Station—established in 1915, to quarantine passengers on incoming ships from the Asia/Pacific route.

    During World War II the American and Australian armies used this area. Cape Pallarenda Battery was built in 1943 to defend Townsville and the surrounding harbour. Camps were set up on nearby beaches and the Quarantine Station was used as a hospital. Visitors can learn more about the Quarantine Station history on information displays in the day use area and wander around the forts on the Cape Pallarenda headland.

    Set in a landscape of open woodland and rocky shores, the park protects a variety of animal and plant life and is a gateway to the recreational Cape Pallarenda trails.

    Looking after the park

    • Respect First Nation Peoples culture. Wariganda (Cape Pallarenda) represents thousands of years of living culture of special significance to the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba People. This landscape is easily damaged and irreplaceable. We ask that you travel lightly through Country.
    • Respect Queensland heritage sites of significance. Cape Pallarenda Quarantine Station and the WWII fortifications are heritage sites reminiscent of Queensland’s recent past. We ask that you look, learn and enjoy. Please do not damage or deface the sites.
    • Stay on marked trails and formed roads. Do not short cut or form new trails as this will cause erosion and damage the environment.
    • Keep the trails in good condition and limit erosion by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
    • Please take your rubbish with you. Rubbish facilities are not provided in the park.
    • Leave your pets at home. Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted in the park.
    • Keep wild animals wild. Please do not feed them.
    • Limit the spread of pests and soil pathogens. Ensure your shoes, bikes, clothes and all equipment are clean and free of seeds, soil and insects (including ants and their eggs) before you arrive.
    • Toilets are not provided. Bury all faecal matter and toilet paper at least 15cm deep and at least 100m away from the trails, heritage sites and water.
    • Do not enter the RAAF Radar Station that shares a boundary with the park.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    In 1986, 44 hectares of land encompassing the former quarantine station was gazetted as an environmental park managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). In 1990 and 1991, the remaining buildings were restored and became the then Regional Office of the department. It was gazetted as conservation park in 1994. As Queensland heritage listed buildings and structures, their protection is ensured into the future.

    QPWS manages Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park for its natural and cultural values.

    Tourism information links

    Townsville Visitor Information Centre
    www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au
    340 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
    ph: (07) 4721 3660 or 1800 801 902
    email: hello@townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au

    For tourism information on all regions in Queensland visit Queensland.com

    • There are currently no park alerts for this park.