St Helena Island is a former penal establishment in Moreton Bay.
Aboriginal use and the 1828 name
Aboriginal middens record that local people visited the island to hunt dugongs and flying-foxes and to gather shellfish (archived 23 October 2026). The island did not receive the name St Helena until 1828 (archived 23 October 2026). CyArk states that the Quandamooka people used the island as a hunting and fishing area for about 3000 years.
Quarantine plan and the 1867 prison
The Queensland Government page records a quarantine station built in 1866 by prison labour from the hulk Proserpine (archived 23 October 2026). CyArk says the decision was made in 1865 and that construction began the same year. Sources differ on the construction year, and this guide does not choose between them.
St Helena Penal Establishment was proclaimed in May 1867 and was a high-security prison for long-term inmates until the 1920s (archived 23 October 2026). CyArk says Captain John McDonald of the Proserpine became the first Superintendent. Prisoners were racially segregated and lived within the walled precinct of the stockade. CyArk says life in St Helena followed Colonial-era attitudes and practices on crime and punishment, which included lashing, isolation in underground cells and reduced meals. CyArk also says that, following Superintendent John McDonald’s (1867-1882) philosophy of self-improvement, living conditions were more humane than in previous Australian penal settlements.
Work, trades and produce
Warders with trade skills trained prisoners as saddle makers, tinsmiths, boot makers, tailors, blacksmiths and carpenters (archived 23 October 2026). Olive oil from the island’s olive groves won prizes in Italy (archived 23 October 2026). The most successful produce included sugar cane and award-winning Ayrshire dairy cattle (archived 23 October 2026).
During 1891, Queensland shearers went on strike for better working conditions. Many of the ringleaders were subsequently charged, convicted and gaoled on St Helena Island, according to the National Parks Association of Queensland. NPAQ also records that shark feeding was actively encouraged to deter prisoners with thoughts of escaping by swimming to the mainland.
Prison farm and closure
From the 1920s St Helena became a prison farm (archived 23 October 2026). The Queensland Government page says it closed in December 1932 (archived 23 October 2026). NPAQ also gives 1932 as the closure year. One passage of CyArk’s text gives the period of incarceration as 1867 to 1933.
Long-term prisoners were transferred to Boggo Road Gaol while the remaining prisoners dismantled the prison buildings (archived 23 October 2026). Readers interested in that gaol can see the BU-EX-023 guide.
Land, park status and conservation
In 1939 the Brisbane City Council handed ownership to the Lands Department, which allowed various graziers to lease the land (archived 23 October 2026). NPAQ gives the same 1939 handover.
The island was gazetted as a national park in October 1979, to be conserved as an historic site (archived 23 October 2026). CyArk states that St Helena Island National Park, established in October 1979, was Queensland’s first historic national park.
As at the archived Queensland Government page, captured 23 October 2026, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works toward preserving the ruins and artefacts from further degradation. The undated CyArk page identifies weathering as the greatest threat to the remaining fabric of the penal complex. The Stores Building was protected by a floating roof structure installed in 2004.
As at NPAQ’s 2020 post, park rangers maintained the ruins with limited funds, and carried out some restoration work. As at the archived Queensland Government page (archived 23 October 2026), St Helena has been internationally recognised as an important site for migratory wading birds.
Frequently asked questions
Where is St Helena Island?
St Helena Island is a former penal establishment located in Moreton Bay.
When did the St Helena prison close?
The prison farm closed in December 1932 according to the archived Queensland Government page (archived 23 October 2026).
When did St Helena become a national park?
The island was gazetted as a national park in October 1979 (archived 23 October 2026).
