Where is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at the Q Station Hotel Wharf Precinct, 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly, NSW.

Is parking available onsite?

Yes, free untimed parking is available at the top of the Q Station site with shuttle service to the wharf.

What age group is the tour for?

The tour is specifically designed for kids aged 8 to 14, accompanied by an adult.

Are strollers or wheelchairs accessible?

No, the tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible due to uneven terrain and steps.

Can I bring recording equipment?

No audio or video recording devices are allowed during the tour; still photos are permitted.

Is there an option for food or refreshments?

Yes, there’s an optional kids-only pizza party available before the tour starts for an additional fee.

Explore Sydney’s Haunted History: Private Ghost Trackers Kids Tour at Q Station Manly | Guided Tour | Events

Located just minutes from Sydney’s bustling city center, Q Station in Manly, New South Wales, offers a chilling yet captivating dive into Australia’s intriguing past with its Private Ghost Trackers Kids Tour. This unique two-hour experience invites children aged 8 to 14 to explore the eerie grounds of the historic Quarantine Station — a heritage site steeped in stories of isolation, survival, and mysterious events dating back to the 19th century. As one of Sydney’s most enigmatic landmarks, Q Station once served as the quarantine station where passengers arriving by ship were held to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Today, its haunting buildings and thickly forested trails create the perfect backdrop for a spine-tingling family-friendly adventure. The tour is carefully crafted to engage young minds with a combination of storytelling and exploration. Led by an expert guide, kids traverse uneven paths, shady inclines, and a variety of old quarantine buildings notorious for their ghostly legends. Each step weaves together history and folklore, revealing secrets of the site’s former inhabitants and paranormal whispers that have fascinated locals for generations. Beyond its eerie allure, Q Station is also nestled within a national park sanctuary, offering glimpses of native flora and fauna unique to this coastal landscape. What sets this experience apart is its exclusive focus on children, making it an ideal birthday party or special group outing. For those wanting to enhance the adventure, an optional pizza party held 1.5 hours before the tour provides a lively setting for kids to gather and fuel up. The evening walk itself encourages curiosity, bravery, and a connection to Sydney’s cultural heritage, all wrapped in an atmosphere of spooky fun. Visitors should arrive 30 minutes early to check in at the Q Station Hotel Wharf Precinct, located at 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly. Reasonable walking mobility is required due to steps and terrain variations, and the tour is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Photography is allowed, but no audio or video recording is permitted to preserve the tour atmosphere. With convenient free parking onsite and easy public transport links via bus or shuttle from Manly, accessing this otherwise hidden historic gem is simple. The Private Ghost Trackers Kids Tour offers more than ghost stories; it’s a step into Australia’s layered history, all while creating lasting memories for families looking for an outdoor experience with a uniquely spooky twist in one of Sydney’s most breathtaking natural settings.

Difficulty

moderate.

Duration

2 hours.

Fitness level

Moderate fitness needed due to walking on uneven paths and inclines; suitable for kids 8+ with reasonable mobility.

Wildlife

Rainbow lorikeets often brighten the skies around Q Station.
Eastern water dragons can be spotted basking near the heritage buildings.

History

Q Station served as Sydney’s final quarantine facility from 1832 until the mid-20th century, a pivotal site for immigrant health and maritime safety.

Conservation

Q Station is part of a national park with ongoing efforts to preserve both its natural habitat and historic structures, ensuring low-impact visitor access.

Quarantine Station in Manly, New South Wales preserves Australia’s quarantine history while offering a wide range of public programs and private experiences. Located on North Head overlooking Sydney Harbour, Quarantine Station operates guided history tours, family activities, community events and specialist paranormal investigations that explore the site’s layered past. Visitors can join curated options such as the Inscription Trail, where over 1,500 carved and painted messages reveal personal stories, or themed guided walks like the Sydney Harbour History Talk and Tour and Manly Life By The Sea. Family-friendly experiences include scavenger hunts, Critter Quest, school holiday excursions and interactive kids tours that blend learning with outdoor play. Quarantine Station also hosts seasonal and special events: Sunset Samba with Brazilian music and barbecue, Sunset Sessions, Yoga and Brunch by the Sea, Melbourne Cup and Christmas Lunch at the Boilerhouse Kitchen & Bar. Conservation and community programs include free Beach Clean Up events and Bush Care activities, with supplies and complimentary refreshments provided for volunteers. History-focused offerings range from concise daytime tours to extended options such as the Disease & Burial History Tour, while evening experiences include family ghost walks, Ghostly Encounters, Extreme Ghost Hunt and private paranormal investigations for groups. Quarantine Station supports educational bookings for OOSH and vacation care providers with tailored itineraries. Interpretation is delivered by experienced guides and structured programs on site. Quarantine Station’s combination of documented historical interpretation, public events and community initiatives makes it a reliable destination for visitors seeking heritage, family-friendly activities and immersive experiences in Manly.

Base locationManly, New South Wales

Tours offered30+

Specialtyland-adventures

StewardshipLeave No Trace