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Vacation care children exploring Cockatoo Island's Convict Precinct.

Vacation care program

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Cost
  • $14 per child for half-day program (2.5 hours)
  • $20 per child for full-day program (4.5 hours)
  • Supervisors are FREE
  • Note: Pricing excludes cost of ferry travel and food
Hours
  • 2 programs available:
    • Half-day (10am to 12:30pm OR 1pm to 3:30pm)
    • Full-day (9:30am to 2pm)
  • Available on Tuesdays or Thursdays during the NSW school holidays
Transport
  • Ferry
Meeting point

Visitor Centre, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour NSW

 

Google Maps
Resources
  • Risk Assessment available upon request.
Escape to Cockatoo Island with your vacation care group for an engaging excursion that combines fun activities, outdoor exploration and history.

Our knowledgeable guides will spark the curiosity of the kids in your group, capture their imaginations, and help them to have a great deal of fun in a spectacular setting on Sydney Harbour.

Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the NSW school holidays, you can choose between our half-day program (2.5 hours) or our full-day program (4.5 hours). Programs are suited for children in years 3 to 6 and include breaks between each session. 

Places are extremely limited. Book your vacation care group in now to avoid disappointment!

Program schedule

Experience the sights and sounds of Cockatoo Island with our engaging and educational activity sessions, suitable for children in years 3 to 6.

Choose between our half-day program (2 sessions only) or our full-day program (all sessions). Activity session options:

  1. Convict Prison Tour – Step back in time and explore the island's notorious convict prison, where you will hear stories of the convicts and the guards who watched over them.
  2. Craft activities – Unleash your creativity and enjoy a range of craft activities, from colouring-in to Lego.
  3. First Nations sports games – Learn about and play different First Nations sporting games.
  4. Build your own model crane – Use recycled materials to construct your own miniature working crane, inspired by the island's industrial heritage.

Note: All programs include breaks between each session. Children are expected to bring their own food and drinks for the duration of their program.

Request a booking
To request a booking for your vacation care group, complete our enquiry form.
Make a booking

Plan ahead

Planning to visit? Refer to the information below ahead of your trip.

Public transport arrow

Ferries: The easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island is by public ferry. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island daily, departing from Circular Quay and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. For further information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.

Opal cards: If your group is travelling to Cockatoo Island by ferry, each person will need to be in possession of an Opal Card with sufficient funds. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase Opal One Day Travel Passes for their entire group. To arrange Opal One Day Travel Passes for your group, visit opaldaypass.transport.nsw.gov.au

Parking facilities: On-street parking is available for cars near the ferry wharves at Woolwich, Greenwich, Chiswick, Huntleys Point, Drummoyne, Birchgrove and Balmain. The Clarkes Point Reserve Carpark (access via Clarke Road, Woolwich) offers parking for coaches and is a short walk from the Woolwich ferry wharf.

What to bring arrow

Suitable walking shoes, sun protection, wet weather gear (if needed) and food and drinks for the duration of the program. 

Food and drink arrow
  • Children are expected to bring their own food and drinks for the duration of their program.
  • Marina Café and Bar are open to all children and supervisors attending a vacation care program. Want to pre-arrange meals for your group? Contact Marina Café and Bar ahead of your visit. Note: In accordance with the venue policy, outside food and drink are not permitted. 
Island conditions arrow

Most areas of the island are wheelchair accessible; however, there is a steep incline from the lower island to the upper plateau, and – owing to the island’s industrial heritage – there are uneven surfaces as well as some buildings not accessible by wheelchair.

First Nations disclaimer arrow

Our vacation care program contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.

Cancellations arrow
  • Cancellations by the Vacation Care Provider must be made in writing no later than (5) business days prior to the booked date to avoid a cancellation fee.
  • The Vacation Care program will proceed except in cases of extreme and/or dangerous weather. In the event of extreme and/or dangerous weather, the Harbour Trust will communicate the decision to cancel the booked program with the Vacation Care provider in writing and/or via phone one (1) business day prior to the booking date.

 

Request a booking

To request a booking for your vacation care group, complete our enquiry form.

By submitting a request and subsequently entering into a booking for a vacation care program, you accept the following conditions:

  • The vacation care program will proceed except in cases of extreme and/or dangerous weather. In the event of extreme and/or dangerous weather, the Harbour Trust will communicate the decision to cancel the booked program with the vacation care provider in writing and/or via phone one (1) business day prior to the booking date.
  • It is the responsibility of the vacation care provider to ensure all children in their care wear appropriate clothing, enclosed footwear and sun protection.
  • All providers will be charged for a minimum of 10 children.
  • The supervision of children throughout the program and during all breaks is the responsibility of vacation care staff. A ratio of 1:10 is required for all vacation care providers. 
  • Payments for the program will be taken 5 business days prior to the booking date. In the event of a cancellation due to extreme and/or dangerous weather, a full refund will be issued.
  • Price does not include transport or food costs. Children are expected to bring their own food and drinks for the duration of their program.

VACATION CARE BOOKING FORM

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Note: Our Bookings Officer will be in contact with you, following the completion of this form, to discuss your booking request, including your preferred program, date and timeslot.

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Interested in visiting Cockatoo Island as part of a group excursion? Here are some useful resources.