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From reported ghost sightings to spine-tingling ‘felt’ experiences, Cockatoo Island – a former convict prison and dockyard – has a history of paranormal occurrences that stretches back more than a century.
Find out for yourself with Cockatoo Island’s after-dark Ghost Tour! Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll search for ghosts in historic (and, some would argue, haunted) buildings, rarely open to the public.
Wielding a K-II EMF reader and a pendulum (devices used in paranormal detection), our guide will test your mettle with hair-raising paranormal tales and macabre true stories, including grisly murders, botched prison escapes and episodes of gang violence.
Whether you’re a sceptic or a believer, scare-proof or easily spooked, one thing’s guaranteed… our Ghost Tour is a unique way to experience the darker side of Sydney.
Are you a film buff or horror hound? Dare to try our Overnight Fright package!
After the Ghost Tour, we’ll screen a horror film for you in our Convict Cinema. We’ve scheduled a mix of cult classics and modern favourites, guaranteed to give you a fright fix. Plus, you’ll receive marshmallows and hot chocolate, which can be enjoyed as you share chilling tales around our campfire. Best of all? You’ll get to spend the night in our waterfront campground…pleasant dreams, happy camper.
Tickets for all Ghost Tours scheduled on a Friday or Saturday night are $47 per person.
Subject to guide availability, we accept private group bookings 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.
The Overnight Fright Package includes:
The Overnight Fright Package includes:
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If you spot a ghost during a tour, take a photo and ‘share the scare’ on Instagram!
Ghosts are notoriously camera shy, so stay vigilant throughout the tour. When you publish your Instagram post, tag us (@cockatooisland) and use the hashtags #CockatooIslandGhostTour and #CockatooIsland.
As a registered COVID Safe business, we require tourgoers to scan a QR code upon arrival and complete a COVID Safe check-in with Service NSW.
[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, tourgoers must ensure they:
The tour contains material that some participants may find confronting including but not limited to suicide, mistreatment of children, harsh living conditions, loss of infancy and life. Therefore, it is only suitable for people 18 years and over. 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, wet weather clothing (if needed) and a torch (phone flashlights are adequate).
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. The tour concludes at the Visitor Centre at 11pm. The final ferry to Circular Quay departs Cockatoo Island at 11.19pm and the final ferry to Sydney Olympic Park departs at 11.58pm.
Looking to visit, stay at or tour Cockatoo Island? Here are some useful links...
Harbour Trust
Visit overview
Cockatoo Island
Headland Park
Macquarie Lightstation
Marine Biological Station
North Head Sanctuary
Sub Base Platypus
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
