Plan your trip

Public 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. You can also visit Cockatoo Island by water taxi, private boat or kayak.

Private transport

Sydney Event Cruises offer private transport to and from Cockatoo Island for small and large groups. A luxury limousine and large charge vessel hire can be arranged for up to 300 people, enabling your group to arrive in style to Cockatoo Island via Camber wharf. Call Sydney Event Cruises directly on 0407 973 508.

Boat mooring

The privately-run Cockatoo Boat Storage offers casual berthing for private vessels at Camber Wharf on the island’s southern apron. To pay for casual berthing, head to Marina Café & Bar near the gangway. Overnight berths must be booked in advance by calling (02) 9940 0172 or emailing info@cockatoomarine.com.au. Bookings are not taken for casual daytime berthing and berthing is normally available, with the exception of the New Year’s Eve period. Most boats to 40' can be accommodated but there are restrictions above 30' length and 10m height, so call ahead to enquire about availability for overnight reservations. Fees are from $15 for 4 hours for a boat to 29' and $35 for vessels 30’and above. Overnight berthing to 29’ is $65 and for vessels 30’and above is $95. Visit cockatoomarine.com.au for details and overnight bookings.

Car parking

Street parking is available near the ferry wharves at Woolwich, Greenwich, Chiswick, Huntleys Point, Drummoyne, Birchgrove and Balmain. Check signage for any restrictions. 

Industrial action on Sydney Ferries (12 and 13 September)

Due to Sydney Ferries industrial action, the F3 Parramatta River ferry will not be running this weekend (12 and 13 September). Cockatoo Island visitors are advised to catch the F8 Cockatoo Island ferry instead. While ferry services are expected to continue operating during the industrial action, customers may experience service cancellations, delays and timetable changes across the network. Disruptions can occur at short notice, so customers should allow extra travel time and check service updates before travelling. Visit the Transport for NSW website to plan your trip and stay up to date with the latest information.

NSW Rogaining Association – Ferrygaine (20 September)

The NSW Rogaining Association will have the start and finish of their Ferrygaine event on Cockatoo Island. There will be increased movement of people during the day on Sunday 20 September, particularly around the Turbine Shop. All areas of the island will remain open to visitors. You can learn more about the event here.

DJ Heartstring (26 September)

This ticketed live music event will run from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Saturday 26 September. During this period, there will be amplified noise. You can learn more about the event here. Access to the Industrial Precinct and portion of Eastern Apron will be restricted from 23 to 28 September for the conduct of the event. This event will then flow into the preparation of the MODE Festival on 4 October – keep reading below for details.

Mode Festival (4 October)

Cockatoo Island will be hosting the fifth edition of MODE on Sunday 4 October. This ticketed live music, dance and visual arts event will run from 12:30pm to 11:00pm. During this period, there will be amplified noise. You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets here.

To allow for set-up and pack-up of this event there will be limited access to the Eastern Apron and no access to the Industrial Precinct from 29 September to 7 October. Furthermore, there will be no access to Camber Wharf on 4 October.

Partial closure of Bolt Wharf area

A section of Bolt Wharf along the eastern edge of Cockatoo Island has been closed to visitors. A fence has been erected for safety reasons and to isolate this area ahead of forthcoming conservation works to Bolt Wharf and cranes. This area will remain closed until sometime in 2026.

Visitor Centre

Our Visitor Centre relies on the generosity and availability of our volunteers. While we endeavour to open from 10am to 4pm daily, we cannot guarantee the centre will always be open. In the event our Visitor Centre is closed, the Audio Tour will be unavailable.

Accessibility

We aim to make Cockatoo Island accessible to as many visitors as possible. This includes visitors with a disability, those visiting with young children or whose first language isn’t English.

Due to the island’s history as an industrial site, and the fact we are still on our accessibility journey, we encourage you to refer to our Accessibility webpage before deciding to visit.

Amenities

Cockatoo Island has wheelchair access, toilet facilities (including accessible toilets), vending machines, barbeques, showers (for exclusive use by campers), an Opal card top-up machine, a kitchen (for exclusive use by campers), free Wi-Fi (enquire at the Visitor Centre), gold-coin operated lockers (for personal belongings) and a payment card operated mobile device charging station.  The lockers and device charging station are located in the Muster Station, opposite the Visitor Centre.  The mobile device charging station can be hired at a cost of $5 for 1 hour. Small lockers (20cm x 20cm x 40cm) are available $2 for eight hours or $4 for 24 hours. Medium lockers (30cm x 40cm x 60cm) are available for $4 for eight hours or $8 for 24 hours. Large lockers (55cm x 60cm x 90cm) are available for $8 for eight hours or $12 for 24 hours.

Public toilets

The Harbour Trust maintains public toilets at Cockatoo Island, and these facilities are listed on the Department of Health’s National Public Toilet Map. The toilets available at this destination are listed below:

• To the rear of Visitor Centre

• Administrative Building (Near Cockatoo Overboard) 

• Docks Precinct (near Marina Café & Bar)

• Ship Design Precinct (Mould Loft)

• Ship Design Precinct (Electrical Shop)

• Industrial Precinct (Turbine Shop, near Eastern Apron) 

• Northern Apron (near Slipways) 

• Northern Apron (Campground)

• Biloela House 

Cockatoo Island is patrolled by rangers from 7am to 4pm and by security personnel from 4pm and 7am. In the event of an emergency, dial 000 or 112 if mobile reception is poor. To contact a ranger during an emergency, call 0434 652 153 (7am to 4pm). Alternatively, to contact a security officer, call 0433 632 791 (4pm to 7am).          

Help ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, by observing the below rules, enforceable by our rangers

Conditions of entry

Do not fish, do not smoke within buildings or within 5 metres of a café; do not litter or dump rubbish; do not erect gazebos or marquees (without a permit); do not operate remote-controlled vehicles (including drones); do not play amplified music (without a permit) or create excessive noise; do not undertake commercial activities (without a permit); do not hold private functions (without a permit); do not climb cliffs or on historical structures; do not ride or use skateboards, roller-skates, in line skates or similar equipment on Harbour Trust land. For further information, see: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (SHFT) Regulations 2021

Alcohol consumption

To prevent unsafe alcohol consumption and curb anti-social behaviour, alcohol rules are enforced on the island. Visitors (with the exception of apartment and heritage house guests) are not permitted to bring alcohol onto the island. Alcohol consumption is permitted at the island’s two licensed venues, Cockatoo Overboard and the Marina Café & Bar. For further details, see: FAQs.      

Assistance animals

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Our FAQs page contains further visitor information. Topics include the consumption of alcohol, our bag check and photography policies, guide animals and the island's amenities