Latest news
Biennale of Sydney 2008
The 16th Biennale of Sydney broke all attendance records. 86, 843 people visited Cockatoo Island to experience the work of 35 Australian and International contemporary artists. The artworks were displayed across the island in the historic industrial workshops and convict built buildings.
The successful marriage between the rawness of the found spaces, and the imaginative works, created a compelling reason for Sydneysiders & visitors to our city to discover the island, and has established the island as a home for other exciting cultural events.
Find out more about the 2008 Biennale of Sydney
What Is An Aborigine, 2008 by Vernon Ah Kee
Installation of 12 paintings at Cockatoo Island
For the 16th Biennale of Sydney 2008
Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane
Photograph: Jenni Carte
Minister launches unique Sydney Harbour Campground
Environment Minister Peter Garrett has officially opened the exciting new campground on Cockatoo Island. Mr Garrett visited the island to launch the latest venture by the Harbour Trust to breathe new life into the island.
Prices for the campsite start at just $45 per site per night and we are now taking bookings.
Kayak to Cockatoo
You can now make your own way to Cockatoo island by kayak. Paddlers can land on the island at the slipways on the western end of the island, near the campground. Kayaks can be left at the slipway - please remember that items are left at the owner's risk so take any valuables with you. No motorised vessels are permitted in this location and on the weekends Blue Earth also operate kayaks for hire from Slipway No. 1. Be careful not to land at other locations on the island, as kayaks can not be brought onto grassed areas as the saltwater runoff can harm the vegetation.
More information
Cockatoo's Historic Cannon
An 18th century cannon, like those used during the Napoleonic War, is now a surprising sentry on the shores of Cockatoo Island. This historic cannon has just been preserved by the Heritage Conservation Team and placed near the Muster Station, the gateway to the island.
No one knows how the cannon first came to Sydney. It may have been one of the cannons placed around Sydney Harbour to defend the settlement from attack by sea. Or it may have arrived as ballast in a sailing ship. However, once obsolete it was used as one of 15 bollards around Fitzroy Dock on Cockatoo Island.
The cannon was cast in 1797 by Walker & Co in Birmingham. It is an Admiralty cannon, a 12-pounder. This type of cannon was used on HMS Victory during the Napoleonic War.
In the 1970s the cannon was removed from Fitzroy Dock and restored. It was officially unveiled by the chairman of Vickers and placed in its current position on 22 March 1976. Apprentices working on the island built the carriage on which the cannon rested.
After years of neglect, the cannon was falling into disrepair until saved by volunteers from the Heritage Conservation Team. Working with materials conservator, Dave McBeath, the team have partly conserved and partly rebuilt the original carriage and conserved the cannon.
Congratulations to our Heritage Conservation volunteers on another great project and for their work in saving another piece of Cockatoo Island's history. Well done!
Historic crane restored
One of Cockatoo Island's signature heritage cranes has been restored to its former glory by a group of volunteers. The gantry crane has been reinstated to its original location in the convict-built workshop. Known as the 'Apprentices Crane', it is thought that it was originally built on the island.
The volunteers worked with materials conservator, Dave McBeath, to conserve the crane which had deteriorated due to the harsh maritime environment. The team included former shipwrights, engineers and tradesmen, some of whom had worked on the island when it was Australia's largest shipyard.
The next challenge for the volunteer team will be the reinstatement of the 74-foot flagstaff that once stood on top of the island. It was used to hoist flags to alert everyone that workers were being hired.
Other exciting projects coming up include repair of a working lathe and conservation of the wooden tender Sydney.
We are keen to find people with specialist skills who would like to join the Volunteer Conservation Heritage Team. For further information email the Public Programs Coordinator on volunteers@harbourtrust.gov.au or call (02) 8969 2100.
