Cockatoo Island | Ferry Rides, Ghost Tours & Available Camping Sites

Situated deep within Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is a rather eclectic historical attraction that provides visitors with a quiet and scenic respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Sydney. Cockatoo Island marked its spot in history books in being the largest former shipyard in all of Australia and provides visitors with a glimpse into the “Old Timers” maritime history. It was also infamously home to a reformatory school and a prison for some of Australia’s most dangerous convicts. Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served international ship commerce between the years of 1857 to 1991. The island has an area of approximately 18 hectares and features an assortment of abandoned buildings and structures that visitors are welcome to explore. While on the island, you can explore prison blocks, warehouses, shipyard workers staying quarters, and variety of other professional buildings that helped shape what Australia is today.

Getting to Cockatoo Island

Getting to Cockatoo Island is half the adventure! The quickest way to get to the island is to hop aboard the F8-Cockatoo Ferry that departs from Circular Quay Monday-Friday from 6:15am-11:45pm, Saturday from 6:45am-11:45pm and Sunday from 8:45am-8:45pm. Admission to get onto the ferry is approximately $12.00 AUD. The trip across the harbor takes less than 20 minutes to complete and visitors will get to check out the underbelly of Sydney Harbour Bridge as they sail through. For those who wish to take a more leisurely trip out to Cockatoo Island, you can also hire a private boat service or kayak there.

Best Time to Visit Cockatoo Island

Travel to Cockatoo Island during the months of September-November and March-May to experience the best possible weather conditions. Since Australia is situated in the southern hemisphere, the seasons run opposite of most other cities around the globe. Visitors from other parts of the world can escape the cold and frigid temperatures of winter in favor of the sunshine and warm weather in Sydney. During these months of the year, visitors are greeted with warm temperatures that range in the 70s to low 80s.

Low season is experienced in Australia from December-February and then again from June-August. Temperatures during this time of year are colder, often hovering in the 50s and 60s, and there is a higher chance of seeing rain while you are here. If a little sprinkling of rain does not bother your party, you can take advantage of cheaper travel costs and experience less tourism crowds while at Cockatoo Island.

Pop Culture Facts About Cockatoo Island

There are not many tourist attractions out there that are quite like Cockatoo Island. Not only was it once home to convicts and a reformatory, but it also supported Sydney’s thriving maritime economy. In recent years, this island has served as the backdrop for movie productions such as X-Men Orgins: Wolverine in 2008 and Unbroken in 2013; parts of the movie sets still remain intact on the island today, so be sure to check them out.

Things to do on Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is an attraction for the true adventure enthusiast. It is not a place where you will find a bunch of restaurants or shops, but a vast assortment of abandoned buildings that beg to be explored. Here is a look at some of the activities you can take part in while visiting the island.

Family Ghost Tours

If you plan to be on Cockatoo Island on Saturday night and want to learn more about the paranormal activity that is said to be lurking around the island, reserve your spot on the Haunted History Tour. Expert paranormal investigators will take you on a tour of some of the most iconic buildings on the island and share stories of its most notable past residents – they may even come out to greet you back! Visitors can sign up for the family-friendly version or the adults-only tour.

Outdoor Chess Game

Head over to the park on the east end of the island for a game of chess like you have never played before. Nestled in among natural rock formations and beautiful native foliage, visitors will discover a perfectly manicured grass chess board complete with jumbo size chess pieces. Challenge friends and family, or even strangers, to a game and enjoy some fun out in the Australian sun. The park is open 24 hours a day and has park benches so that others can watch you play.

Fishing, Sunbathing, and Water Sports

After exploring all of the historic prison and shipyard buildings there are to check out on Cockatoo Island, take some time to enjoy some quiet nature activities. Given its prime location in the middle of the harbor, Cockatoo Island is a great place to cast a line out into the water in hopes of catching a big fish, lay around on the grassy shoreline, or even row around the island in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddle board. This island features beautiful views of Sydney’s skyline and the boats that use the harbor for transport.

Dining on Cockatoo Island

For those who are looking for a delicious meal spot while visiting Cockatoo Island, there are a couple of tantalizing cafes to choose from.

• Marina Cafe & Bar is located just a short distance from the campground and features a simple menu of casual dining options. Visitors of all ages are welcome to order items like nachos, pizza, burgers and fries, deli wraps, sweets, and boozy beverages. This restaurant features a relaxing maritime vibe where guests can eat in the dining room or out on the patio. Marina Cafe & Bar is open Friday-Sunday 10am to 5pm.

• Societe Overboard is also a fabulous dining choice and this cafe is located near the ferry landing on the island. Societe Overboard serves up traditional Australian breakfast, lunch, and dinner items in a casual setting. Whether you are in the mood for a cold drink or a ham and cheese sandwich, you will find a delicious assortment of items to satisfy your hunger. Societe Overboard is open Monday-Thursday from 9am to 4pm, on Friday from 9am to 7pm, on Saturday from 8:30am to 7pm, and on Sunday from 8:30am to 6pm.

Lodging on Cockatoo Island

For those who are looking to stay the night on Cockatoo Island, there are some brilliantly unusual lodging choices available. It is a place where you can get a restful night’s sleep while enjoying all of the beauty of the mainland that surrounds you. Here is a look at the campground and B&B apartments on the island.

Waterfront Camping

Imagine a “glamping” trip where you do not have to haul in any of your own gear or spend precious time pitching your tent! Located along the shoreline, Waterfront Camping campground is a wonderful lodging option that can be enjoyed by couples, families, and even solo travelers. Guests can reserve a spacious tent that comes complete with furnishings and cots. This place provides luxury camping at its finest and a package deal will cost you approximately 258 AUD per night.

Heritage Holiday Houses

Experience a historic lodging experience when you reserve a room at Heritage Holiday Houses on Cockatoo Island. These remarkably well-kept apartments were constructed in 1913 and provide visitors with a glimpse into the history of the island. A suite can be booked for as little as 48 AUD per night during the non-peak travel months of the year and comes complete with up to five separate bedrooms, a full bathroom, and an excellent view of the attractions on the island and the city skyline. The suites at Heritage Holiday Houses are cozy and are adorned in contemporary furnishings. These apartment suites are perfect for families and large guest parties.

Check In to a hotel or apartment near Balmain, Step Out to Cockatoo Island

Clover Hostel, Rozalle

The Merton Hotel

Orange Grove Hotel

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