Plan your visit

Explore the Island

Discover the stories behind Sydney Harbour's largest island.
Take a guided tour of Cockatoo

It's easy to visit Cockatoo Island. This unique island is located in Sydney Harbour, just a 10-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay and the centre of Sydney.

A regular ferry service links the island to Circular Quay, making the historic site available to the public for the first time since shipbuilding ceased on the island in the early 1990s.

Use the information below to plan your trip to Cockatoo Island.

Opening hours and entry

Cockatoo Island is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Entry is free. (Ferry ticket is additional)

The Muster Station is staffed by volunteers from 10am to 4pm daily. Our volunteers can help you with advice on exploring the island, visitor facilities and Cockatoo's colourful history.

Getting there

Sydney Ferries operates a service from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island every day. Check the timetable to plan your trip:

Ferry Timetable

The island is also accessible by water taxi and private boat or barge:

Boats, Barges and Water Taxis

Visitor facilities

Visitor information is available in the Muster Station, just near the arrival wharf. Our volunteers are also there to meet you and provide advice from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily.

Toilet facilities are located behind the Muster Station.

Disability access

Cockatoo Island has wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities. Most areas of the island are wheelchair accessible, though keep in mind that the island is an industrial heritage site so some of the surfaces are uneven. There is one medium incline from the lower island to the upper island.

For more information on current conditions, have a word to our volunteers in the Muster Station upon your arrival, or contact the Harbour Trust on (02) 8969 2100 or email: info@harbourtrust.gov.au.

Rubbish

All waste has to be taken off the island by barge which is expensive and damaging to the environment. So we'd like everyone to share in caring for the island by taking their rubbish home with them.

Emergency

In case of emergency: dial 000, or via mobile 112 if out of range.

Security

A team of rangers control the island during daylight hours. If you need to contact a ranger in an emergency call: 0434 652 153.

Island Security patrols the island at all other times.

Visitor book

Did you enjoy your visit? There is a Visitor's book located at the Muster Station. Take the opportunity to tell us about your Cockatoo experience.

Visitor code

Please enjoy your visit to this special place. We invite you to wander freely around the island, discover its hidden places, picnic on the grass and enjoy spectacular city views.

For the comfort and safety of everyone on the island, please follow the Island Etiquette:

The following activities are not permitted without a licence from the Harbour Trust:

Further information

Other tourist links