Excursion information for Cockatoo Island
What audiences do the excursions cater for?
Any group interested in learning about Sydney's convict and industrial past and investigating how a site has been transformed over time.
From a curriculum perspective, Cockatoo Island school excursions are most compatible with Primary HSIE Stages 2 and 3 and Secondary HSIE Stage 5. The story of Cockatoo Island and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust illustrates several key Civics and Citizenship themes. Visual Arts and Design and Technology groups would also find much in the way of inspiration and applicable themes.
What do students do on the island?
Tours and activities are curriculum-aligned and are led by the Harbour Trust's team of Teacher Guides (qualified teachers). Students are taken on a tour of the island's convict and industrial precincts and, depending on the focus of the group, complete all or some of the following: model-making, viewing historical footage, completing worksheets, participating in a quiz. There is also a scheduled short break in between activities.
How long is the excursion?
Excursions run for approximately four hours including travel time to and from Cockatoo Island. Shorter sessions are available for schools with time restrictions.
Which days/times are available?
Excursions are offered on weekdays and are subject to availability. Most excursions run from approximately 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, however time frames are flexible. Late afternoon sessions can be arranged for schools travelling from remote areas.
How do students get to Cockatoo Island? Where do groups meet?
Sydney Ferries operate both a Rivercat service and an inner harbour service to Cockatoo Island. Depending on the service, schools can board from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and a variety of other locations. Please visit the Sydney Ferries website for the complete timetable.
When planning their ferry trips, schools need to take the amount of travel time required to comfortably get to their nominated ferry wharf into consideration. The excursion duration (i.e. the amount of time spent on Cockatoo Island) is approximately three hours.
Schools need to arrange and pay for their ferry tickets with Sydney Ferries (the cost of ferry travel is not included in the excursion price).
For schools wishing to visit Cockatoo Island at times not serviced by the Sydney Ferries service, the option of hiring a private ferry is available. Please note that this option incurs a separate fee to be paid by the school. Please call our Bookings Officer on 8969 2199 for further information.
The meeting point for the private ferry service is Campbell's Cove (near the Overseas Passenger Terminal, a short walk from Circular Quay).
Further information
To find out how to get to Circular Quay, please visit the Transport Infoline web site.
Should we do any preparation before our excursion?
It is strongly recommended that teachers provide some preliminary background lessons prior to visiting Cockatoo Island, to ensure students gain the most from their experience. Suggested activities are included in the teacher kit which will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.
Students tour the island in sub groups. It is strongly recommended that teachers plan the division of groups before the excursion as it saves a lot of time on the day. Please refer to your confirmation letter for the number of groups required.
How much does the excursion cost? How is payment arranged?
The cost is $16 per student. This does not include ferry travel costs. Accompanying adults within the required ratios (see next point) attend free of charge. Extra accompanying adults pay $16 per person. Groups with less than 10 students will be charged for 10 students. An invoice will be sent to the school after the excursion.
Costs for Travel
Schools using the Sydney Ferries service need to arrange and pay for their ferry tickets with Sydney Ferries. For further information on Sydney Ferries, please visit the Sydney Ferries website
Schools using the private ferry service will need to pay a separate fee to the vessel operator in addition to the excursion cost (the Harbour Trust will organise the vessel booking on behalf of the school). Private ferry charter costs are as follows (GST inclusive):
- 70 passengers and under $768
- 70 - 120 passengers $900
- 120 plus passengers $955
Please note that a state wharfage fee of $42.20 per docking will also be charged by the vessel operator ($84.40 for a return trip).
What is the required student/teacher ratio?
The Harbour Trust's safety policy requires the following supervision ratios:
Primary 1:10
Secondary 1:20
Special needs 1:1
Organising teachers need to ensure that the required number of supervisors attend on the day. If the school is unable to provide enough teachers, parents are most welcome.
What is the minimum and maximum number of students?
The minimum number is 10 students. Groups with less than 10 students can be accommodated, however the minimum fee for 10 students will be charged. The maximum number is 120. Schools wishing to book larger groups can book two or more separate excursion dates. Alternatively, schools can attend in alternate half-day sessions, incorporating a visit to another nearby venue.
Do excursions go ahead in wet weather?
Yes. Students must bring appropriate wet weather gear. Please refer to the cancellation policy below.
Are refreshments available?
Students and accompanying teachers/adults should plan to bring their own refreshments as the excursion runs on a tight schedule. There is only one food outlet on Cockatoo Island, the Cockatoo Island Cafe. Refreshments can also be purchased prior to boarding the ferry at Circular Quay.
Has a risk assessment been done?
The Harbour Trust has completed a risk assessment for excursions to Cockatoo Island.
Cancellation Policy
Our policy is to run excursions regardless of wet weather. On these occasions it is essential that students wear appropriate wet weather clothing and bring umbrellas as most of the excursion is conducted outdoors. The only exception to this would be extreme weather conditions where vessel operators advise against travel. In this (rare) situation the Harbour Trust would contact the organising teacher and an alternative date would be arranged. Please be advised that if the school decides to cancel the excursion for any reason without providing 24hrs notice, it may be required to pay for staff costs (the casual Teacher Guides specifically booked for that excursion) plus any costs arising from the cancellation of the private ferry booked for the excursion.
What resources are available?
A teacher resource kit containing maps, resources and worksheets is available to allow teachers to undertake pre- and post-visit sessions to enhance the excursion and familiarise students with the site.
| Publication | |
|---|---|
| Title | Cockatoo Island Teacher Resource Kit |
| Publication Details | Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, 2008 |
| About this Publication | This teacher resource kit has been designed to complement and supplement a school excursion to Cockatoo Island. It aims to provide teachers with a wide range of information that may be used pre- or post-visit to enhance their students' appreciation of the site. Teachers can choose the information that is applicable to their themes and may need to modify information to suit the ability level of their students. The kit is divided into several sections. Contents include background information on Cockatoo Island and the Harbour Trust, primary and secondary HSIE curriculum links and a comprehensive resource materials section. |
| Download PDF Files | Teacher Resource Kit - Visiting Cockatoo and Background Info (PDF - 2,916 KB)
|
What do we bring?
Hat, sunscreen, refreshments, wet weather gear, pencils, cameras (optional). Chewing gum is not permitted.
Are there toilets
There are toilet facilities on Cockatoo Island. Due to time constraints it is advisable that students make use of the toilet facilities on the ferry trip, where available.
