It was established as a quarantine in 1852 following the Ticonderoga's arrival at the heads of Port Philip with a significant number of passengers with scarlet fever.

It ceased operation as a quarantine in 1980, but was used by the military for training purposes since the 1950s (see Officer Cadet School).

Currently, it hosts markets and similar events amongst the flat area and is part of the Point Nepean National Park.

There is a shuttle bus to Fort Nepean that terminates at the Quarantine, as well as rentable bicycles to ride around the park.

A quarantine was established at Sydney's North Head in 1832 to preserve the colony's lack of European diseases, specifically cholera.

The Port Phillip District (Victoria) set up a quarantine at Point Ormond, and later Hobsons Bay, in the 1840s.

The site was leased by Patrick Sullivan, the son of a settler, and William Cannon, both of whom were involved in lime burning.

The site already had several buildings built by Sullivan and Cannon, including a stone house, three wattle and daub structures, a dairy and a lime kiln each.

Captain Charles Ferguson investigated and came back to Governor La Trobe on November 9th, reporting that Sullivan had been moved from the site and the passengers of the Ticonderoga had set up tents on the shore.

Dr James Reed, resident doctor was denied an extension of the hospital by the government, as they wanted to build out the station through purpose and planning, as opposed to its rapid growth due to the Ticonderoga's emergency.

Dr Reed wrote in his report that a more effective, less destructive method of sanitation would be through an oven-like machine, but this would only be implemented 40 years later.

This, partnered with better hygiene on ships, cast doubt on the usefulness of the Sanitary Station and stalled construction of any new buildings – including the oven-like machine suggested by many doctors from the quarantine.

[9] Upon entry from Jarman oval, one will find the isolation hospital and morgue, just north of the influenza huts.

Across Bogle Road from Hospital 3 is the 1900 red brick sanitation buildings, which are often open for the public to look inside.

Further east is the Parade Ground and flagpole, used during the sites' military occupation for marching, although the green existed while it was still a quarantine.

Across the parade ground is the administration building, which is the Point Nepean Information Centre and where the bicycle service is run from.