About us Venue hire Contact us EN arrow search arrow Subscribe
Visitors enjoying a school holiday tour at Cockatoo Island's Convict Precinct.

School holiday activities

Looking for a family-friendly adventure? These school holidays, escape to the heart of Sydney Harbour for a fun-filled day at Cockatoo Island!

During the school holidays, Cockatoo Island will come alive with a range of exciting activities that vividly bring the island’s history to life.

 

 

 

Activities for all-ages

Escape to Cockatoo Island for school holiday fun in the heart of Sydney Harbour.

Steam crane demonstrations (1 October)

Travel to the era when steam power ruled – and meet 2 of Cockatoo Island’s ‘Iron Giants’ – with our steam crane demonstrations! Between 10:30am and 12:30pm, visitors to the island will be able to see the No. 1 Travelling and Mort's Dock Steam Cranes in action for FREE. Plus, our knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to share information about our historic cranes. 

  • Where: Docks Precinct, Cockatoo Island
  • When: Tuesday 1 October from 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Cost: Free
Guided Tours (select weekdays and weekends)

Alongside our scheduled weekend tours, we’re offering additional tours on Tuesdays and Fridays during the school holidays. With a range of fascinating tours to choose from, there's something for everyone. Tickets available from just $16 per person. See below for our school holiday tour schedule: 

Arts and crafts with Marina Café & Bar (select weekdays)

Let your little ones' creativity shine at Marina Café & Bar's FREE 'kids get crafty' activity running Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout the school holidays. With a variety of self-guided activities like rock painting, bark painting, and nature collage making, there's fun for everyone!

  • Where: Industrial Precinct, Cockatoo Island
  • When: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm
  • Cost: Free

 

Take advantage of our free activities (year round)

Here are some free activities that will help you and your little ones burn off some steam and extend your understanding of the largest island on Sydney Harbour.

  • Talking Object and Animal Tour: Awaken history with our self-guided Talking Object and Animal Tour. Speak directly to iconic objects about their incredible stories OR have your visitor questions answered by our talking animals. 
  • Kids activity book: Let your little explorers tap into their creativity with a free activity book, available from the Visitor Centre (while stock lasts). It includes challenges that encourage outdoor exercise and learning.
  • Giant chess: What’s better than playing a game of chess in your living room? Playing a game on our giant, outdoor chess board, surrounded by Sydney Harbour! Head to the island’s Eastern Apron, it’s your move!

Camping (year round)

Extend your adventure with a stay in our award-winning waterfront campground.

Cockatoo Island is such a rich source of adventure that it can be difficult to experience everything in a single day… but don’t worry! Our waterfront campground is a cost-effective way for you to extend your visit!

The ‘BYO tent’ option is ideal for families on a budget. For a hassle-free stay, choose the basic Camping Package – it includes a pre-erected tent for 2 adults and 2 small children. Plus: Campers have access to the fire pit, showers and a sheltered kitchen.

  • Where: Northern Apron, Cockatoo Island
  • When: All year
  • Cost: From $50 per night

Special offer: Book 2 or more nights in Cockatoo Island’s campground and receive 10% off your stay!

Eat and drink

Cockatoo Island features 2 family-friendly cafés, both of which are licensed to serve alcohol and operate 7 days a week.

Marina Café & Bar

Located alongside Camber Wharf, this harbour-side hangout exudes country-style pub charm. Relax with a beverage or coffee in the beer garden and take advantage of a diverse menu that includes gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options.

[Note: Café menu available daily, kitchen menu offered Thursday to Sunday​. Last kitchen orders are 60 mins prior to close, alcohol/coffee service ends 30 mins prior to close.]

Spring trading hours
  • Mon to Fri – 10am to 3pm
  • Sat – 9am to 5pm
  • Sun – 9am to 3pm
Cockatoo Overboard

Located on the Eastern Apron, just opposite the Visitor Centre, Cockatoo Overboard offers diners an opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner – as well as a selection of hot, cold and alcoholic refreshments – as they take in an incredible harbour view.

[Note: Kitchen shuts 60 mins prior to close.]

Spring trading hours
  • Mon to Thurs – 8.30am to 4:30pm
  • Fri – 8.30am to 5pm
  • Sat – 8.30am to 8pm
  • Sun – 8.30am to 4:30pm

How to get here

Planning to visit? For a hassle-free experience, refer to the information below ahead of your trip.

Getting here arrow
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.

Facilities and accessibility arrow
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

Cockatoo Island is a former industrial site with cliffs and steep drops as well as occasional unmarked and uneven surfaces, voids, and trip hazards. For your safety, mind your step, wear appropriate footwear, stay alert for vehicles and construction activity, and monitor any children with you. The lower island is generally accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters; however, there are uneven surfaces, and some buildings are not suited to mobility aids. Further, accessing the plateau requires visitors to climb stairs and ascend rises. The campground is wheelchair accessible, with a dedicated shower and toilet available; however, tents have a step to enter, which is not suitable for wheelchair access. Priority works and major events may disrupt visitor access to areas of Cockatoo Island. Check our website for details and speak to our Visitor Centre staff for help, including alternative routes.

Amenities

Cockatoo Island has wheelchair access, toilet facilities (including accessible toilets), vending machines, barbeques, showers, an Opal card top-up machine, a kitchen (for exclusive use by campers), free Wi-Fi (enquire at the Visitor Centre) and gold coin operated lockers. Located in the Muster Station, each locker contains power outlets for charging devices. 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:

Emergency and security arrow

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).          

Visitor guidelines and FAQs arrow

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.

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

Mooring and parking arrow
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. 

Helpful links

Looking to visit, stay at or tour Cockatoo Island? Here are some useful links.