Peel Island
| Native name: Teerk Ro Ra | |
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Sunrise at Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island
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| Geography | |
| Location | Moreton Bay |
| Coordinates | 27°30′S 153°21′E / 27.500°S 153.350°ECoordinates: 27°30′S 153°21′E / 27.500°S 153.350°E |
| Area | 590 ha (1,500 acres) |
| Length | 1 km (0.6 mi) |
| Width | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Queensland |
| Region | South East Queensland |
| Local government area | Redland City |
| Peel Island | |
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Huts constructed for patients on Peel Island, Moreton Bay, 1907
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| Built | 1870s–1960s |
| Owner | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Official name: Peel Island, Moreton Bay | |
| Type | Health and care services: Lazaret/leprosarium |
| Criteria |
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| Designated | 21 June 1993 |
Peel Island (Indigenous: Teerk Ro Ra) is a small heritage-listed island located in Moreton Bay, east of Brisbane, in South East Queensland, Australia. The island is within the local government area of Redland City.
During the mid-19th century Peel Island was used as a quarantine station for the colony of Brisbane. Sailing ships would anchor to the north of the Island, the passengers would disembark on Peel Island for a quarantine period before moving on to Dunwich on nearby North Stradbroke Island. The arriving sailing ships would be fumigated and scrubbed down with carbolic to sanitise them before they ventured on to Brisbane with the new arrivals. Remains of the old quarantine station are at the south west corner of the island where the old well can be found.
Peel Island was used as an asylum for vagrants from Brisbane around the start of the 20th century but the conditions were too harsh and the inmates were moved to Dunwich on nearby Stradbroke Island. Peel Island was also used as a sisal farm, the inmates would harvest the sisal and manufacture rope which was sold to help fund the asylum. Remnants of the sisal plantations are still visible when walking around the western side of the island.
Between 1907 and 1959 the island was a leper colony. Now it is enjoyed by many locals and visitors. The island is only accessible by watercraft. Dugongs, turtles, and dolphins frequent the waters around the island. Often there are thousands of jellyfish following the currents, and sharks are known to inhabit these waters. Horseshoe Bay, with its sandy beach, is popular with boating visitors. It is a popular overnight anchorage for sailors, considered by many to be the best shelter from northerly winds in Moreton Bay. Sea kayakers also use the island for overnight stays. The island is known for its natural beauty, with bird and animal life large undisturbed by pollution. Up to 74 bird species have been identified.
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Wikipedia