This lively, all-ages tour will introduce you to a line-up of brave, foolhardy and desperate convicts who dared to escape Cockatoo Island’s penal establishment, including fabled bushranger Captain Thunderbolt. As you explore the island, you’ll hear about successful and ill-fated escape attempts involving disguises, sewers, shark-infested waters, stolen boats and a volley of bullets.
Book tickets for one of our regularly scheduled tours or arrange a private tour for your group...
Tickets are $25 per adult, $15 per child (12 & under) and $15 per senior. Note: To ensure compliance with the NSW Government's public health orders, tours are limited to 20 people.
Subject to guide availability, we accept private bookings for groups of up to 20 people with a minimum charge equal to the cost of 10 participants. To request a private group tour, complete our enquiry form. Note: Private group tours are not available on Friday or Saturday nights.
As a registered COVID Safe business, we require ticketholders to visit the Service NSW website, upon arrival at the tour meeting point, and scan a QR code to ensure a COVID Safe check-in.
[Note: When you check in, only the tour location and the time of visit is recorded. This information is stored for 28 days and only for the purpose of contact tracing, if necessary.]
To comply with the NSW Government’s COVID-19 public health orders, we are currently only accepting tour bookings for groups of up to 20 people. Further, members of each group must ensure they:
Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult as the tour contains mature themes. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.
The tour involves a steep incline and some uneven surfaces, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required.
Suitable walking shoes and wet weather clothing (if needed).
Tours will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of extreme weather.
Ahead of your visit, we encourage you to read the terms and conditions for this tour.
For information about getting here, including by public transport, see: Visit Cockatoo Island.