COVID-19 updates

• Visitor guidelines: If you are planning a trip to Cockatoo Island, please remember to follow rules around social distancing, and basic hygiene. Ahead of your trip, check the NSW Health website (nsw.gov.au/covid-19) for updates and guidance. If you are feeling unwell, postpone your visit and seek medical advice.
• Cleaning protocols: We have established enhanced cleaning protocols with respect to public facilities across the island. 

Our volunteer-run visitor centre is open 9:30am to 3pm on weekdays and 9:30am to 4pm on weekends. When entering the visitor centre, visitors (incl. accommodation guests and tourgoers) are required to scan a QR code and complete a COVID Safe check-in with Service NSW. 

Cockatoo Island’s heritage accommodation and waterfront campground are available for bookings. Before approaching the accommodation desk, located within our visitor centre, new arrivals are required to scan a QR code and complete a COVID Safe check-in with Service NSW.

The island’s family-friendly cafés, Marina Café and Bar and Societé Overboard, are both trading. Each of these venues is observing COVID-19 guidelines 

• Tours: Our regular program of guided history and paranormal tours runs Friday to Saturday. Guided tour are also available for group bookings. As a registered COVID Safe business, we require tourgoers to scan a QR code upon arrival to complete a COVID Safe check-in with Service NSW. 
• Education programs: We are currently accepting bookings for school excursions to Cockatoo Island. Our primary and high school programs support several key syllabus areas of the NSW Curriculum and are an opportunity for students to enjoy an interactive learning experience at one of Sydney’s most historic destinations. Unable to visit Cockatoo Island with your class? Don’t worry – we’ve transformed our popular primary school program, Convict Times, into an immersive virtual excursion.
• All tourgoers and school group members must ensure they:
  • maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from others, wherever possible;
  • have not attended a known hot spot
  • have not had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the last 14 days; and
  • are not unwell and have not had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days.

Ferry services

The easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island is by Public ferry. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island, departing from Circular Quay and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. Additional shuttle ferries will run between Barangaroo and Cockatoo Island from 9.45am to 6pm on weekends only.

Reduced capacity

Be aware that ferries currently have capacity restrictions to ensure safe physical distancing between passengers. If a ferry has reached capacity, you will need to wait for the next service with available capacity. If you are visiting on a weekday, avoid travelling during the morning and afternoon peak period. For travel on weekends, be mindful that ferries are typically busiest on weekends, especially Sundays. Consider these factors when planning your trip and allow for extra travel time. For further information, including ferry timetables and COVID-19 travel advice, visit the Transport NSW website.