Waterfall Sanatorium opened in 1909 as New South Wales' first purpose-built hospital for tuberculosis patients, chosen for its isolation and fresh air. Initially accommodating 230 male patients, a separate facility for women was added in 1914.
The hospital was largely self-sufficient, featuring vegetable gardens, livestock, and small chalets for patient isolation. In 1957, it ceased treating tuberculosis and transitioned to aged care under the name Garrawarra Hospital.
By 1991, the old buildings were deemed unsuitable for modern healthcare and abandoned. Left to the elements, the former hospital has deteriorated over time, with many structures now in ruins. However, remnants of its past remain, including administration buildings designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and the overgrown Waterfall Cemetery, where thousands of TB victims are buried.
This collection captures the haunting beauty of a site once dedicated to healing but now lost to time.
Explore the collection below.
