About St Helena

St Helena National Park.

Photo credit: Tourism Queensland

Park features

St Helena Island National Park contains the ruins of a colonial ­­penal settlement, which operated here from 1867 until 1932. Remains of the prison stockade include the bakery, workshops and underground tanks. Beyond the stockade are the stone ruins of warder accommodation, a sugar mill, lime kiln and stone causeway. The vegetation today is an interesting mix of the original open pastures, vine forests, remnants of beautifully landscaped gardens, and former crops such as olive trees.

Middens and shell scatters show that for thousands of years, Aboriginal people visited the island seasonally, harvesting flying-foxes, dugongs and shellfish.

Wetlands around the island are a haven for migratory wading birds. The surrounding waters are protected in Moreton Bay Marine Park.

• Read more about the culture, history and natural environment of St Helena Island National Park.

Looking after the park

Your help is needed to preserve the park and historic ruins for generations to come. Please follow these guidelines while visiting the park.

• In order to preserve the historic sites, access is restricted to some areas of the island. Fines apply for entering the restricted access area without a tour guide.
• Help to protect the fragile ruins. Do not touch any structures, as the rock crumbles easily.
• Everything in the national park is protected.
• No rubbish bins are provided. Take your rubbish home with you to help keep the island free from pollution.

See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

St Helena Island National Park, established in October 1979, was Queensland's first historic national park. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works toward preserving the ruins and artefacts from further degradation and accurately presenting the park and its history to visitors.

A Management Plan for St Helena Island National Park will be prepared in the future.

Tourism information links

For all educational enquiries, please contact:

Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre
www.moretoneec.eq.edu.au
PO Box 373, Wynnum QLD 4178
ph (07) 3906 9111
fax (07) 3906 9100
email info@moretoneec.eq.edu.au

For more information on St Helena Island, please contact:

The St Helena Community
www.sthelenacommunity.com.au

Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network
www.brisbanelivingheritage.org

For more information on tours of St Helena Island, please contact:

ABSea Cruises
www.sthelenaisland.com.au
ph: 1300 438 787

Brisbane Cruises
www.brisbanecruises.com.au
ph: 07 3630 2666

For more information about activities, tours and accommodation in the Brisbane region, please contact:

Brisbane Visitor Information Centre
www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4002
ph (07) 3006 6290
fax (07) 3006 6250
email visit@brisbanemarketing.com.au

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.

Further information

St Helena Island National Park
PO Box 293, Wynnum QLD 4178
ph (07) 3393 4647
email: Fort.Lytton@des.qld.gov.au