From $45 per night per campsite/package*
*Plus, for every 10 camping site only or basic packages you book, your group will receive one package for free.
Campground includes toilets and hot showers.
Accessible toilet and shower available.
Our waterfront campground is available for hire by schools, scouts, Duke of Edinburgh participants and other youth groups between Monday and Thursday. Bordered by eye-catching historic landmarks, it is a great launch pad for outdoor exploration and learning.
As you lead your group in fun team building exercises and challenges, they’ll forge new friendships and strengthen old ones. Plus, free and paid activities are available to enrich your group’s stay.
This BYO tent option is an opportunity for guests to have an authentic, DIY camping experience and pitch their own tent. It includes an unpowered 4m x 4m site for a tent that sleeps up to 4 students. Tent not included. Plus, for every 10 unpowered camping sites you book, your group will receive one free site.
This affordable and hassle-free option includes a pre-pitched tent, allowing guests to focus on exploring. It includes a pre-pitched, unpowered 2.4m x 2.4m tent that sleeps up to 2 teachers/ supervisors or up to 3 students. Also includes 2 single sleeping mats and 2 reclining chairs. An additional sleeping mat – for a third student – can be hired for $15. Plus, for every 10 basic packages you book, your group will receive one free basic package.
Our deluxe camping package enables students, teachers and supervisors to combine their love of the great outdoors with their desire for a truly hassle-free excursion. It includes a pre-pitched, unpowered 2.4m x 2.4m twin-share tent with 2 single raised camp beds, linen, quilts, towels, 2 reclining chairs and toiletries.
Our deluxe waterfront camping packages enable guests to combine their love of the great outdoors with their desire for a truly hassle-free excursion. Set in a prominent waterfront position, it includes a pre-pitched, unpowered 2.4m x 2.4m twin-share tent with 2 single raised camp beds, linen, quilts, towels, 2 reclining chairs and toiletries.
Our two-bedroom deluxe waterfront camping package enables guests to combine their love of the great outdoors with their desire for a truly hassle-free excursion. It includes 2 pre-pitched, unpowered 2.4m x 2.4m twinshare tents with a covered communal area. It also includes with 4 single raised camp beds, linen, quilts, towels, 4 reclining chairs and luxury toiletries.
The following items are available for hire – sleeping mats ($15), raised stretcher beds ($20), pillows ($10), towels ($10), marshmallows ($7 per bag) and a dedicated security guard ($70 per house, min 4 hours). Toiletries and torches are also available. Items can be preordered or purchased from the Visitor Centre.
Cost: $14 per student, teachers/supervisors FREE | Available: Monday to Friday (subject to guide availability)
Our 90-minute curriculum-based education programs are led by specialist teachers who use scaffolding and other strategies to develop critical thinking – all while providing an engaging and fun experience!
Please note: Education programs must be booked separately to camping. Due to demand, we recommend booking at least 2 months in advance.
Available: Anytime
What’s better than playing a game of chess in your living room? Playing a game on our giant, outdoor chess board! Head to the island’s Eastern Apron, it’s your move!
Cost: $350 | Available: Upon request
Located on the upper island and available free of charge to campers. Family-friendly and mature-age films screen at set times each night. Confectionary and other snacks available for purchase at the Visitor Centre. Prefer a private film screening? A second venue, known as the Convict Cinema, is available for hire by groups of up to 30 people at a cost of $350.
Available: During Visitor Centre hours
A true test of hand-eye coordination and depth perception, corn hole is a game where players take turns attempting to throw beanbags into a raised hole.
Available: Anytime (weather dependent)
As night falls, head to our campground firepit and trade stories as you enjoy flame-roasted marshmallows. Marshmallow bags (incl. sticks) available for $7 from the Visitor Centre. The availability of our firepit is weather dependent.
Available: Anytime
Your group can enjoy a scenic workout with one of 4 orienteering courses, each commencing at the island’s Muster Station. An initiative of Orienteering NSW, these courses cater for different fitness levels and experience and can be completed with the official orienteering map or the MapRunF mobile app (FREE).
Available: First Tuesday of every month
Toot, toot! Specialist volunteers carry out maintenance checks on the island’s historic steam cranes on the first Tuesday of every month. If your visit coincides with an upcoming maintenance check day, your students will get to see an ‘Iron Giant’ in action.
Available: During Visitor Centre hours
Play a game of basketball at our harbour-side court, a short distance from the ferry wharf. Bring a basketball and play for free or hire one from the Visitor Centre for $5.
Cost: Can be hired for $5 | Available: During Visitor Centre hours
We offer addictive variations on the classic ring toss game (Finska, Quoits and Hoopla) plus Frescobal – a paddle ball game popular in Brazil.
Ferries: The easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island is by Public ferry. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island daily, departing from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. For further information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
Opal cards: If your group is travelling to Cockatoo Island by ferry, each person will need to be in possession of an Opal Card with sufficient funds. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase Opal One Day Travel Passes for their entire group. To arrange Opal One Day Travel Passes for your group, visit opaldaypass.transport.nsw.gov.au.
Parking facilities: On-street parking is available for cars near the ferry wharves at Woolwich, Greenwich, Chiswick, Huntleys Point, Drummoyne, Birchgrove and Balmain. The Clarkes Point Reserve Carpark (access via Clarke Road, Woolwich) offers parking for coaches and is a short walk from the Woolwich ferry wharf.
Check-in/check-out: Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is by 10am. If your group arrives ahead of check-in or wishes to remain on the island after check-out, you can arrange to store your baggage in the buggy shelter located outside the Visitor Centre.
Accessibility: The lower island is generally accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters; however, there are uneven surfaces and some buildings are not suited to mobility aids. Accessing the upper island requires visitors to climb stairs or ascend steep rises. The campground is wheelchair accessible, with a dedicated shower and toilet available; however, tents have a step to enter, which is not suitable for wheelchair access. To discuss accessibility, contact stay@cockatooisland.gov.au.
Supervision: Rangers and security personnel patrol the island between 24/7 and are on-call for general assistance or to respond to emergencies. However, the campground is accessible to the general public and teachers/ supervisors are responsible for supervising their students at all times. Further, measures for adequate supervision must be covered by the group’s risk assessment. View our sample risk assessment here. Ahead of their trip, teachers/supervisors can arrange to have a dedicated security guard stationed with their group at a cost of $70 per hour.
Terms and conditions: Ahead of your stay, please familiarise yourself with our accommodation T&Cs.
Risk assessment: Groups should complete a risk assessment of their camping trip, with risks and appropriate controls identified. To assist with this exercise, view our sample risk assessment here.
Depending on the camping packages you have selected, we recommend individuals bring the following:
Camping site only: Tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags and pillows, torches and eating/drinking/cooking utensils.
Basic camping package: Sleeping bags, pillows, torches and eating/drinking/cooking utensils.
Deluxe camping package: Torches and eating/drinking/cooking utensils.
Deluxe waterfront camping package: Torches and eating/drinking/cooking utensils.
Two-bedroom deluxe waterfront package: Torches and eating/drinking/cooking utensils.
Camping groups have access to communal toilet, shower and kitchen facilities. Details below:
Campground kitchen: Features 10 barbeques, boiling water, 2 fridges, a toaster, microwaves, a vending machine and seating for 50 people. Heaters and wet weather blinds are available for use in winter. The campground kitchen is closed between 10:30am and 12:30pm for cleaning.
Showers, toilets and laundry: The shower block features 13 stalls, all equipped with hot water. There are 5 male, 5 female and 3 unisex/ accessible toilets, located across 2 toilet blocks. A token-operated washing machine and dryer is also available. Tokens available to purchase from the accommodation desk for $4.
Campground firepit: Located towards the slipways and managed by the accommodation team. Use of the firepit is free; however, it’s availability is weather dependant. Marshmallows, for toasting around the campfire, available for purchase at the Visitor Centre.
Campground cinema: Located in the historic Mould Loft (next to the Convict Precinct) and available free of charge. Family-friendly and mature-age films screen at set times each night. Confectionary and other snacks available for purchase at the Visitor Centre.
Charging stations and lockers: Located opposite the Visitor Centre. Available at an additional cost.
The island’s family-friendly food and beverage venues, Cockatoo Overboard and Marina Cafe and Bar, operate daily. School groups can arrange catering with either cafe. Visit cockatoomarinacafe.bar and cockatoooverboard.com.au to view their catering menus and make an enquiry. School groups can also take advantage of the campground kitchen to prepare meals.
Groups may wish to barge a vehicle to the island in the event they have lots of equipment, food or other supplies. Barging can be arranged through the Cockatoo Island Marine Centre (PH: 0424 042 833). The vehicle operators must also review, complete and sign the Harbour Trust’s driver induction form prior to the trip.
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