New Year's Eve 2026 – Accommodation Ballot

Eleven properties are offered as part of our ballot and entrants may apply for up to 3. The price for a 4-night stay (minimum) in one of our houses or apartments ranges from $3,900 to $12,000.

1. Dockmaster's Residence (Building 20) (NEW)* [Max. 8 guests] – $12,000

2. Heritage House (Building 24A) [Max. 12 guests] – $10,000

3. Heritage House (Building 24B) [Max. 12 guests] – $10,000

4. Harbour View Apartment (Building 23A) [Max. 5 guests] – $6,500 

5. Harbour View Apartment (Building 23B) [Max. 5 guests] – $6,500 

6. Garden Riverview Apartment (Building 21A) [Max. 5 guests] – $5,500

7. Garden Riverview Apartment (Building 21B) [Max. 5 guests] – $5,500

8. Harbour View Apartment (Building 23C) [Max. 2 guests] – $3,900 

9. Overseers apartment (Building 9A) [Max. 3 guests] – $3,900

10. Overseers apartment (Building 9B) [Max. 3 guests] – $3,900

11. Fire Station Studio (Building 164) [Max. 3 guests] – $3,900

*This ballot marks the debut of our new accommodation offering, the Dockmaster's Residence. Constructed by convicts, using sandstone quarried on the island, it dates to 1848. Originally, it housed an official known as the Clerk of Petty Sessions. Later, during the island’s shipbuilding era, it served as the Dockmaster’s Residence. It has undergone restoration works both to preserve its immense heritage character and accommodate holidayers. 

Check-in for all properties is from 3pm on Tuesday 29 December 2026. Check-out is by 11am on Saturday 2 January 2027.

Ballot winners wanting to 'make a weekend' of their NYE experience can choose to stay in their house or apartment an additional night (Saturday 2 January 2027) at a special discounted rate (i.e. 10% off our normal weekend rates). Rates for this additional night, per accommodation option, are as follows:

1. Dockmaster's Residence (NEW) –$979 (reduced from $1088)

2. Heritage Houses – $881 (reduced from $979)

3. Harbour View Apartments (2-bedroom) – $477 (reduced from $530)

4. Garden Riverview Apartments – $436.50 (reduced from $485)

5. Harbour View Apartment (1-bedroom)– $328.50 (reduced from $365) 

6. Overseers apartments – $328.50 (reduced from $365) 

7. Fire Station Studio – $328.50 (reduced from $365) 
   

To express your interest in hiring one of more of our properties for an extra night at a discount, please complete the relevant field in the form. This offer is only available to ballot winners.

• Due to capacity limits and reduced ferry services, access to the island on Thursday 31 December 2026 is restricted to those with an accommodation booking.

• Although Cockatoo Island will be closed to the general public on Thursday  31 December 2026. ballot winners will be issued with wrist bands to ensure members of their group can come and leave as they please by public transport. Note: Please visit the Transport NSW website for public holiday ferry schedules.

• Accommodation guests will be able to enjoy an incredible vantage point of the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks and city skyline from the Eastern Apron or from Biloela Lawn on the upper island.

• Ballot winners must ensure the size of their group does not exceed the combined maximum occupancy of each of the houses and apartments they are hiring. Further, ballot winners will not be able to invite any day guests to Cockatoo Island on Thursday 31 December 2026.

• For general information, see: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

For a hassle-free stay on Cockatoo Island during the NYE period, please note the following terms and conditions:

• We will contact ballot winners up to 2 times each, via phone, to advise them they have won the right to hire a house or apartment. If a ballot winner does not respond by the second call, we reserve the right to appoint a new ballot winner in their place. 

• We require a 50% deposit at the time your booking is confirmed with us, with the remainder to be paid by Friday 20 November 2026.

• No refunds, cancellations or changes to bookings are permitted, and bookings are not transferable.

• There must be at least one person who is 18 years of age or older per booking to take responsibility for all persons in their group.

• A minimum 4-night stay applies – Check-in for all properties is from 3pm on Tuesday 29 December 2026. Check-out is by 11am on Saturday 2 January 2027. Check-in and check-out occur at the visitor centre, located near the main public ferry wharf.

• Apartments and houses are for the residential use of the booked occupants only. No functions, events, ceremonies or parties.

• No smoking permitted inside or on balconies or around accommodation grounds. Please smoke at least 5 meters away from any other accommodation.

• Our houses and apartments are equipped with modern kitchens for self-catering.

• Alcohol is permitted when letting the houses and apartments but must be brought in moderate amounts and only consumed within the confines of your accommodation. It is the responsibility of the reservation holder to ensure all guests follow alcohol consumption rules, act responsibly when consuming alcohol and avoid unsafe and anti-social behaviour. Failure to do so could result in removal from the island. When consuming alcohol it is recommended to have plenty of food and water available.

• Please be aware that noise restrictions commence at 12:30am meaning outside noise must be kept to a minimum. If you are entertaining guests in an outside area associated with your house or apartment, please move them inside by 12:30am. Amplified music is not permitted outdoors

• No animals, except for assistance animals (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992), are permitted to access Cockatoo Island. Harbour Trust Assistance Animals Guidelines Harbour Trust Assistance Animals Guidelines.

• When staying on Cockatoo Island, please be mindful of other guests and visitors.

• Harbour Trust staff and volunteers who are involved in the administration and running of our NYE 2026 accommodation experience are not eligible to enter the ballot. 

• Please familiarise yourself with the Cockatoo Island accommodation T&Cs.

• For general information, see: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).