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High school students experiencing Cockatoo Island's education program near the beam benders.

High school programs

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Cost
  • $14 per student (min. 10 students per group)
  • Free admission for teachers/supervisors
  • Pricing excludes cost of ferry travel
Hours
  • Programs run for 1½ hours
  • Available Monday to Thursday by appointment
Transport
  • Ferry
Meeting point

Visitor centre, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour NSW

Google Maps
Resources
  • Risk Assessment available upon request.
Seeking an inspired school excursion idea? Our tip: Escape your classroom and head to Cockatoo Island for a memorable learning experience.

Our engaging high school program 'History Site Study' supports key syllabus areas of the NSW Curriculum and fosters enquiry-based learning.

Importantly, students will have fun as they engage with historical artefacts from different eras and explore one of the most extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour.

History Site Study

Through an evaluation of primary and secondary sources, Year 7 to 10 students will gain insights into Australia’s major social, political and technological developments.

The History Site Study is complemented by worksheets that can be printed out at school and brought on the excursion. The worksheets aim to increase students ability to identify and organise their historical learning during the excursion. The History Site Study can be catered for Stage 6 students. Please inform us at the time of booking.

How to get here

Planning to visit? Refer to the information below ahead of your trip.

Public transport arrow

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 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.

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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.

First Nations disclaimer arrow

Our high school programs contain stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.

Island conditions arrow

Most areas of the island are wheelchair accessible; however, there is a steep incline from the lower island to the upper plateau, and – owing to the island’s industrial heritage – there are uneven surfaces as well as some buildings not accessible by wheelchair

What to bring arrow

Suitable walking shoes, sun protection, wet weather gear (if needed) and packed lunches.

Cancellations arrow

General

If you decide to cancel a booking, please provide 5 days notice to avoid being charged a fee to cover casual staff costs.

Weather

Bookings for our high school programs will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event that ferry services advise against travelling to Cockatoo Island due to extreme weather conditions.

Request a booking
To request History Site Study for your class, complete our school programs enquiry form.
Request a program

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Interested in visiting Cockatoo Island as part of a school excursion? Here are some useful resources.