Event Spaces

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has five very different venues available for hire on Cockatoo Island.

Venues for small events - 20 - 500 guests

The Convict Precinct
Description The impressive sandstone buildings of the convict precinct once housed 500 convicts. Sections of this historic venue are now available for hire, including the courtyards, military guardhouse, mess hall and convict barracks. Courtyard of the Convict Precinct during the Urs Fischer installation 2007
More convict precinct images
Ideal for Dinners, exhibitions, filming and photography, small concerts
Venue capacity Mess Hall: 140.8 m²
Courtyard: 921.56 m²
Lawn: 737.19 m²
Information Sheet

The Convict Precinct Information Sheet [PDF - 303 KB]

Special issues RESTRICTED AVAILABILITY. Due to an archaeological excavation and other essential works, the Convict Precinct will be unavailable for hire until late-2010.
Hire fees On application
Book Make an online enquiry

Venues for large events - 300 + guests

Convict Workshops (Buildings 138 and 143)
Description These original convict workshops dating back to 1850s have been adaptively re-used over time and still house large pieces of machinery used during the world wars Photo of convict workshops
More convict workshop Images
Venue capacity Building 138: 743m²
Building 143: 367m²
Ideal for Product launch, corporate events, filming and photography, large dinners, fashion parades
Special issues Heritage restrictions. Can be prone to flooding in wet weather.
Hire fees Total hire for a minimum of three days
0-400 guests: $13,000 (April - September), $16,000 (October - March)
401+ guests: POA
Additional day's bump-in $3,000 per day
All prices include GST
Site plan Convict Workshops Plan (PDF - 93 KB)
The Turbine Shed (Building 150)
Description Built during World War II, the Turbine Shed was the heart of the industrial precinct on Cockatoo Island. With ceilings up to 17 metres, this huge warehouse space is ideal for large scale and imaginative events. Large sliding doors provide access to the Plaza and the historic Fitzroy Dock Interior of turbine hall
More turbine hall images
Venue capacity 1758m²
Ideal for Concerts, circus, corporate events, product launch, filming and photography, fashion parades, media event
Special issues Heritage restrictions
Hire fees Total hire for a minimum of three days
1-1,000 guests: $25,000 (April - September), $30,000 (October - March)
1,000 + guests: POA
Additional day's bump-in: $6,000 per day
All prices include GST

Site plan Turbine hall plan (PDF - 78 KB)
The Dogleg Tunnel
Description The dogleg tunnel was originally built to move workers and materials from one side of the island to the other. Today its sandstone surfaces are brought to life by a soundscape set in World War II. The tunnel can be used as a thoroughfare or an adventurous prelude to your event on the other side of the island. Hire fees on application. Fee can be incorporated with another venue hire Photo of the dogleg tunnel
More dogleg tunnel images
Venue capacity various
Ideal for Filming and photography, dinners
Special issues AV equipment available for hire, low height at southern end, no vehicular entrance
Hire fees $2,000 per day, with set-up
All prices include GST
Site plan Map of the dogleg-tunnel (PDF - 136 KB)
Book Make an enquiry about this venue
The Plaza
Description The plaza (eastern apron) was originally home to a cluster of workshops and industrial buildings, but it was cleared in the 1990s. It is now a large open plaza with spectacular city views, and offers a multi-purpose event space suitable for concerts, markets or fairs Photo of the plaza
More plaza images
Venue capacity Various
Ideal for Concerts, markets, festivals, circus, media event, product launch, corporate events
Special issues Noise restrictions, weather dependent
Hire fees Total hire for a minumum of three days
0-500 guests: $13,500 (April - September), $16,000 (October - March)
501-1,000 guests: $18,000 (April - September), $23,000 (October - March)
1001+ guests: POA
Additional day's bump-in $4,000 per day
All prices include GST
Site plan Plaza Plan (PDF - 128 KB)

Contact

To find out more about these venues, or to check availability, please fill in our online enquiry form or telephone (02) 8969 2100.

Further information