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Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island Maritime Trail

Fitzroy Dock Power House Ship Design Precinct Ship Design precinct Sutherland Dock Submarine Crane

Photo Title Description

TIMING: 1 - 1½ hours

SUITABLE FOR: Those interested in naval, maritime and wartime history.

For over a century, Cockatoo Island Dockyard employed thousands of workers to build warships, remodel passenger liners, perform general ship repairs and later to modernise submarines. The Maritime Trail takes you through the heart of the Ship Design, Industrial and Docks precincts. Some attractions include:

  • Turbine Shop - The enormity of this space gives a great indication of the vast scale of heavy engineering that took place here.
  • Submarine Crane - This high precision crane from the 1970s, one of the largest on the island was used to fit out Oberon Class Submarines.
  • Mould Loft - Here workers would draft the plans for ships and create moulds in full scale before sending them to workers below for fabrication.
  • Sutherland Dock - When completed in 1890, the largest single graving dock in the world and a fine example of late 19th century engineering.

Pick up a visitor guide on arrival to Cockatoo Island to enjoy the self-guided Cockatoo Island Maritime Trail.