See and do 
Subscribe
Book a tour of Cockatoo Island
Our What’s On Directory (below) provides an overview of current and upcoming attractions, including guided tours and special events that reveal and celebrate the island's heritage, including heritage crane demonstrations.
To plan your trip or browse accommodation, see Visit Cockatoo island and Stay at Cockatoo Island. Unable to visit Cockatoo Island? We also offer virtual experiences including online exhibitions and webinars.
On Saturday 31 December, accommodation guests will have EXCLUSIVE access to the island, including breathtaking views of Sydney's world-famous fireworks. Camping packages for New Year’s Eve (min. two-night stay) are on sale now. Meanwhile, the ballot to hire one of our charming houses or apartments (min. four-night stay) is NOW CLOSED.
On Saturday 22 October, to mark the spooky season, we will be running dress up editions for our two night tours - Dark Past (all-ages) and Ghost Tour (18+). For one night only, tourgoers will be encouraged to dress up in their spookiest costumes while they step into the paranormal realm with our history and ghost tours.
We are excited to be hosting Carmen on Cockatoo Island, an innovative, outdoor opera experience premiering in November 2022. It is Bizet’s gripping tale of fate and freedom, presented in an exciting new way – under the stars, against the backdrop of our iconic destination in the heart of Sydney Harbour.
Performances will run select nights between 25 November 2022 and 18 December 2022. Tickets are available from $79 (excl. booking fee).
MODE Festival (15 Oct) is an exciting new music and arts festival reaching forward and exploring electronica’s potential. Produced by Bizzaro, Mode Festival is an all-day dance and visual arts odyssey spanning three stages, located within Cockatoo Island’s monolithic Industrial Precinct. This is your opportunity to see electronic music pushed to its limits by pioneering DJs, producers, and live artists, and to celebrate the genre’s radicals, outsiders and vanguard.
The international lineup includes Adam Pits & Lisene, Anuraag, Aurora Halal, Cousin, Crescendoll, Djrum, E. Fishpool, Etapp Kyle, Fibre Optixxx, KI/KI, Kia, Kritty, LOIF, Maara, Nat Salih, OK EG, Priori, Purient, upsammy and Wata Igarashi. Tickets available from $161.19.
What happens when you fuse iconic dance anthems with immersive visuals and live performances against the backdrop of Cockatoo Island? You get Synthony – a celebration of dance music like no other! On 29 October, Synthony ticketholders will partake in a veritable musical banquet on Cockatoo Island’s sweeping Eastern Apron. The cuisine? Celebrated dance hits, from the past thirty years, reimagined by talented guest musicians including vocalists, DJs and a world class orchestra conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the likes of Ilan Kidron (The Potbelleez), Savage, Emily Williams, Cassie McIvor, and Mobin Master pay tribute to Avicii, Tiesto, Daft Punk, Eric Prydz, Bob Sinclar, and other dance music legends! Tickets available from $139.90.
Over the past decade, One Electric Day has solidified its reputation as one of Victoria’s favourite one-day music festivals. This year, organisers are not only excited to be able to take the popular event interstate again for a run of shows, including a special show at Cockatoo Island on Sunday 30 October. Headliner Jimmy Barnes will be joined by an all-star cast of Aussie rockers, including The living End, Baby Animals, the Screaming Jets and Southern Sons.
Journey back to Cockatoo Island’s storied convict and maritime eras – or dare to step into the supernatural realm – with our program of history and paranormal tours. Our tours cater for different ages and interests. They're also a great opportunity to discover iconic landmarks, including heritage buildings rarely opened to the general public. Plus: Self-guided Audio Tour also available.
Wish you could awaken history and speak directly with Cockatoo Island’s heritage landmarks about their incredible stories? Now you can! Introducing our interactive 'Hello Harbour Trust' initiative. When you next explore Cockatoo Island, look out for the turquoise "Hello" signs inviting you to engage in a lively and informative text message conversation with some of our most beloved objects, including key landmarks.
Unable to visit our heritage destinations in-person? Don’t worry! Introducing Digital Harbour – a curated collection of videos, articles and other online experiences that enables you to discover our protected sites and delve into their layered histories, no matter where you are in Australia... or the world!
Unable to visit Cockatoo Island? Don't worry. The Harbour Trust has launched a collection of immersive exhibitions on the Google Arts & Culture platform, meaning people can experience the island and other extraordinary places on Sydney Harbour anytime, anywhere in the world. Jump online and marvel at the 'Iron Giants' of Cockatoo Island, discover the site's First Nations heritage... and so much more!
Travel back to the era where steam ruled – attend an upcoming demonstration of one of our vintage steam cranes!
Harbour Trust
Visit overview
Cockatoo Island
Headland Park
Macquarie Lightstation
Marine Biological Station
North Head Sanctuary
Sub Base Platypus
Woolwich Dock and Parklands
