Moreton Bay Penal Settlement

The Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was established in 1824 at Moreton Bay (now known as Brisbane) to house prisoners. Throughout the existence of the penal settlement, nearly 2,400 men and 145 women lived at depots stretching from Limestone (now Ipswich) to Stradbroke Island. The penal settlement closed in 1842 when the area was opened to free settlers.