Cockatoo Island

Took some friends here while they were visiting from Toronto and we had a great time.
The drinks were so delicious and the bar tenders had such fun personalities.
I would suggest lining up before 12pm as they get super busy.

I am baffled as to why I have never heard of this place before — it’s huge. In fact it is so huge that you can rent tents and stay here over night. Basically it used to be a convict settlement for really, really bad convicts, but it was later converted into ship yards. In fact it used to be one of Australia’s major ship building locates. However they then closed it down and the island was designated a world heritage site — not so much for the ships yards (why on Earth world anybody designate a modern shipyard a world heritage site?) but for the ruins of the convict settlement. The settlement itself is quite small, however you can spend quite a lot of time exploring the old factories and tunnels that litter the island. There are also three (I believe) coffee shops where you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat. Definitely worth checking out if you are in Sydney (and happen to have a free morning).

I was coming from the Olympic Park and my pal from Balmain, so we decided to meet in the middle and explore Cockatoo Island. She goes there a lot and was an excellent tour guide. Without someone to show you around, it is still fun to meander but it might take you a while to figure out what you are looking at and orient yourself. They have a lot of events here and I would jump on an invite to something on the island. They do the Biennale here and it must be amazing with all the interesting spaces they have.
You can camp here but it seems like an odd thing to do without a group because you are right on top of your neighbors. With a group, it could be a nice retreat and you could get a cluster of tents. Could also be a good option for a kid’s first try at camping. The people on the ferry with us who had been camping there all seemed happy and looked like they had a fun time.
Depending on when you go, the seagulls can be aggressive in protecting their nests and you might want to avoid certain paths. They were pecking people in mid November.

I went there during Easter weekends and
event. There are many interesting arts displayed and a a free train through a tunnel. You have to pre-​book the ticket for free to get priority seats. It’s also a good place to camp and enjoy the scene. There is also a free and public barbie for your BBQ picnic. However, it can be a bit boring. 3 hours trip is enough.

Cockatoo Island… Hmmmn this is actually a difficult one to review because depending on who you are the experience could vary quite a bit. I tend to disagree with its attraction status for a tourist, but for a photographer I can see the magnetism.
So I’ve split out the review depending on who you are:
[5-​Stars] Pro Photographer: As a photography location for a shoot it offers an edgy industrial feel, whilst also giving great backdrops of the harbour, giving you plenty of variable locations and contrasts for your model.
[4-​Stars] Hobby Photographer: There is probably enough here to keep you busy for a couple of hours on a first visit, but after that you’re probably going to need a reason to come back (I went to Biennale, which was outstanding). As a space for installations and artwork it is exceptional.
[3-​Stars] Tourist: Hometown or international visitor, it’s certainly not a bad place to visit and I do recommend coming here at least once. Just be prepared because there isn’t that much that you can actually do here. You can definitely have lunch and coffee, and you can walk around some of the old buildings and also take in the view. But you can see that view from any number of more interesting locations that I believe will also yield more of a «vibe»
Overall I plumped for the middle ground and said 4-​stars (I also fit in that hobby photographer range). It can be a pretty quiet experience unless there is an event on. They do offer camping for the festivals and what not, which no doubt would be an amazing atmosphere. But, no festival, and you are just looking at a row of empty tents.
Which highlights why a festival really makes Cockatoo shine. When they have an event, like the Biennale, the location becomes the secondary point of your visit and that’s what makes it special. When the location is the primary point, unless you are a pro photographer looking for that industrial background to contrast your model with, my bet is you’ll bore quickly… You can get closer to the bridge elsewhere; there’s far better places to eat and have coffee; and you can get better views from afar from places like Taronga Zoo and Balls Head.

Don’t even hesitate. Hop on the ferry from Circular Quay and come on out here for a couple of hours. Neat place to wander around and explore with plenty of history. Plenty of signage around telling you what each building/​area was for back in the day.
There are campsites available for those so inclined. I’m not all that sure I’d want to spend the night here, as I get an inkling that there might be a restless spirit or two hanging about. (if you believe that sort of thing)
There’s a small spot for food and drink right by where the ferry does the pick up/​drop off. There’s also the Airstream Café and Captain Sausage on the opposite side of the island.
There’s no charge to visit the island and explore, so do it!

A wonderful place to explore. You can walk around all over and see so many various pieces of art and different installations that are all aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I didn’t know what to expect really until after we docked from our boat. I was quite delighted to walk from one end of the island to the other, from one building to the next, to explore and appreciate all the enchanting art pieces. A very pleasant way to spend 1 afternoon in Sydney.

Went to the Biennale of Sydney on the opening weekend. Fantastic weather for a June day.
Great and different way to spend a Saturday walking around the island looking at the art work whilst enjoying the sun and sea river breeze. Awesome views overlooking the city once you get up top. I’d recommend bringing a picnic blanket and just lounging/​nap in the sun.
Apologies for the delayed review but the Biennale is still on so everyone can still go!

Cockatoo Island for Biennale. Great location, fascinating history but take your own food! You’ll wait HOURS to be served at the restaurant in the old Superintendent’s house. If 4 staff don’t turn up then don’t accept all those patrons. Gave up and went to have a coffee down at the wharf. You guessed it — one of the two coffee machines were broken. The ferry left without two thirds of the passengers in the queue to back to Darling Harbour. We would have been stranded if it wasn’t for an enterprising water taxi who price gouged us but at least we didn’t have an hour’s wait in the freezing wind for the next Sydney ferry. Biennale really need to get their act together. Shame because Sydney usually does these big events very well.

I know it’s an island, but something about Cockatoo Island offers endless possibilities for exploration. I can go back again, again, and again, and it never seems any smaller, and I never feel like I’ve completely done it. It’s like LOST, except no one is trying to kill you. And I suppose there isn’t as much jungle. Ok, clearly that was an inappropriate analogy, let’s talk about Cockatoo Island instead.
It’s a great venue for exhibitions, with a summertime Island Bar, and a tremendously layered history: from Indigenous histories, to its life as a convict prison, once it held a reformatory for wayward girls, then it had a life as a shipbuilding & submarine building island, with plenty of WWII bunkers… the list goes on. Consequently, Cockatoo Island has a delightful mix of industrial edginess, natural beauty, and sandstone structures built by convicts. In the daytime many of the buildings are open to the public, so you can actually walk around inside as well as outside — and there are some great old structures to explore.
The best way to get here is by ferry, though I suppose you could swim, if you were willing to brave the Parramatta River sharks. It’s a bit windswept, so you might want to bring some layers.
You can also stay overnight: in comfort, in gorgeous heritage houses, or you can camp in tents, right by the water. They have tents available, or you can bring your own & just pay for the campsite. You can even go «glamping». Glamping is just like camping, except they provide a bed, linen, towels and soaps. The beds are pretty uncomfortable… but they might beat a thin little bedroll… From someone who has lived to tell the tale: yes, glamping is slightly more comfortable than camping, but really, it’s not probably not worth the extra cost. The shower & kitchen facilities are newish and usually quite clean. Getting hot water working in the showers is a bit hit and miss though.
It’s a fabulous island for music festivals, but they don’t seem to do that so much these days.

How cool is this space?
You might have a reason for your trip here. They host industry events here such as the AIMIA award nights and month-​long events such as Outpost Island, a street art and graffitti exhibition that took over the island last year. However, you don’t need a special event to visit Cockatoo Island. Take the ferry here and just explore the island. Walk through the tunnels and also enjoy the views.
Great idea for something to do with friends visiting Sydney and awesome idea for locals who want to be «tourists in their own city» for a day.

Cockatoo Island is shrouded in history. At some stage it has been a prison, industrial school and a shipyard. Now it is home to many annual events and exhibitions, a camping ground and at times a harbour side bar. Entry to the island is free and there is always interesting exhibitions to see. I usually come to see the Biennale but have more recently visited to catch the Banksy exhibition.
Every year at summertime The Island Bar reopens providing the perfect location to sip on cocktails and enjoy Sydney’s beautiful harbour views.
To get to the island you can take a quick and pleasant ferry from Circular Quay.
So whether you are coming to catch an exhibit or need somewhere to take a visitor, a trip to Cockatoo Island proves to be the perfect day out.

Where Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers meet, sits the largest island in Sydney Harbour. A former jail and shipyard, Cockatoo Island is now a popular recreational reserve for people of all ages. Best of all-it’s free!
Hope on a ferry which travels between the Rydalmere and Circular Quay wharves every hour and take advantage of the guided tours to explore the history of this world– heritage listed site; challenge your friend to a best-​of-​five-​sets match on the tennis courts located on the grounds; have a café lunch at The Canteen close to the wharf; enjoy a picnic against the beautiful backdrop; go kayaking; set up camp for the night and tell each other ghost stories.
There are drink and snack machines available which is really convenient when you’re camping on the island. The free activities for the children will keep them occupied and they might even learn a thing or two.
Cockatoo Island is open all year round. Have cash ready before your trip; there are no ATM’s on the premises!

This island is just off Sydney harbour and is well-​worth a visit. It’s slightly off the beaten track, but you can easily catch a ferry from Circular Quay. The journey takes about 15 minutes. In the past, the island was used as a prison for convicts and its history still prevalent in the monuments, exhibitions and information provided on the island. At the moment, Banksy the famous street artist who’s paintings have been bought by the likes of David Beckham, despite remaining anonymous. No one knows what he looks like, but most are familiar with his artwork. Exhibitions such as these are a great reason to go, but don’t expect much else in the way of entertainment. There’s a nice little bar, but come prepared if you think you’re going to get hungry.

The island has plenty of history and charm, attracting high profile events and A-​List celebrities. Previously a jail and then shipyard, the island is on the World Heritage List and is a central attraction, located in the middle of Sydney Harbour.
The island hosts a number of annual events, such as the upcoming Outpost Project, Art From the Streets, which showcases graffiti, installations, live art and so on. Admission is free and is available to all!
There’s plenty to do and see on the island from tennis to kayaking and tours. There are also plenty of programs which have been designed to educate the island’s visitors. Accommodation is available on the island for those who wish to extend their stage. Prices range from inexpensive to the more high end boutique hotels.
A previous company I used to work for planned an event for all its employees as an annual get together for all the companies. We had a fantastic time, from the ferry ride over to riding a motorbike to the venue and being treated to beautiful surroundings and performers! Visiting Cockatoo Island is a must for all!

I’m sure every one of us has dreamed of escaping to an island when the pressure gets too much. Granted, the fantasy usually involves a tropical island with rum, coconuts and Johnny Depp (or at least Noël Fielding), but a deserted shipyard/​prison/​boys home/​in the middle of Sydney Harbour has it’s own particular charm and more importantly, a bar.
The Island has in recent years become a hub of Arts events such as Bienalle, the World’s Funniest Island comedy festival, Underbelly Arts Lab and currently the world’s largest street art exhibition, featuring a kind Kiwi’s private Banksy collection– Outpost. The environment on the Island is just incomparable– the creaky old shipyard fittings, bunkers, buildings of bygone eras have given this place an atmosphere of exploration and adventure– the perfect setting for anything to do with the Arts. Contact through the website to stay overnight with a range of accomodation from camping to luxury available, and if there isn’t something officially arty on there there are always bunkers and buildings to explore.