The island served as the quarantine station for Otago from 1863 until 1924. When ships arrived in Otago harbour with infectious diseases, passengers waited the quarantine period for that disease, usually one to two weeks, at the quarantine station. Sick passengers were treated in the hospital on top of the island. Of about 9000 quarantined less than 70 died, there is a small cemetery on the island.
Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua is the largest island in Otago Harbour, close to the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. The island covers an area of 15 hectares, and is a publicly accessible recreation reserve. The buildings on the island are owned by Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community.
