St.-Helena-Island-Nationalpark

The Saint Helena Iceland National Park (English St Helena Iceland National Park ) is a national park in Queensland (Australia), which is located approximately 21 kilometers east of Brisbane on the small eponymous island in the Bay Moreton Bay of the Brisbane River.

History

The small island was the first prison in Queensland. In the 19th century Helena Iceland became a quarantine station and used as a prison until 1867. The island was built by prisoners to the prison, the clearing work were doing and built the building. On the island there is a separate fresh water source.

The island was 67 years long a prison for hardened criminals like murderers. The Queensland Government detained in this prison many shearers who were arrested there during the four- month long shearers' strikes in 1891.

The prisoners had to work hardest work done and the island was notorious because of their isolation and their strict rules. In 1900 there were 300 prisoners on the island. They had bricks and garments manufacturing or had to work in agriculture on the island and in the shipbuilding factory, bakery and butcher shop.

The prison buildings were enclosed by a high stone wall. The island is bathed in dangerous currents and in the sea off the island swimming sharks. Although there were numerous attempts to escape, but only a prisoner in 1924 managed to escape. The last prisoners left St. Helena on February 15, 1933.

Findings also show, however, that the Aborigines for thousands of years sought out the island to capture in this favorable seasons shellfish, dugong and bats.

Flora and Fauna

The mangrove areas of the island offer the young animals of many fish, crabs and shellfish species. Occasionally, dolphins, turtles and dugongs can be seen in the waters around the island. The national park is as a Wetland of International Importance is also an important resting area for wading birds. During the winter birds of prey such as kites, fish and sea eagles can be observed.

Tourism

The island is now a destination for tourists and can be reached by ferries and visited.

In the neighborhood of the National Park Fort Lytton, Teerk Roo Ra and Moreton Iceland lie.