Disruption notice (11 to 19 Aug)
Want to hear the gritty tales of jail life? You’ll enjoy our Cockatoo's Convicts audio tour. Keen to delve into the island’s golden maritime era? Choose the How to Build a Ship audio tour. Looking for a crash course in the island’s layered history? Our Sandstone to Steel audio tour shares the key story beats.
To begin one of these self-guided experiences, simply scan the QR code on our audio tour 'jump on' signs around the island!
Journey through Cockatoo Island’s layered history at your own pace with our 3 new immersive audio tours.
Thousands of male criminals were incarcerated at Cockatoo Island between 1839 and 1869. Delve into the history of the island’s remnant penal establishment – today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – while exploring timeless sandstone structures constructed using convict labour. Plus, we’ll acquaint you with the sorts of characters who served out sentences on the island. As you’ll learn throughout the tour, many of Cockatoo’s convicts could not (or simply would not) follow the rules… and paid the price.
Cockatoo Island’s dock workers were renowned for their ability to build and repair even the most complex ships. On this tour, you’ll step into the heart of the action during the island’s shipbuilding heyday – the mid to late 20th century. During this period, the island’s talented workforce pieced together naval giants like HMAS Vampire and Success. Guided by their stories, you’ll hear tales of true grit, tight deadlines and remarkable craftsmanship.
Want to discover the highlights of Cockatoo Island’s layered history? This tour will give you a taste of it all – perfect for people who like ‘bite sized’ history! Starting with a First Nations Dreaming story, you’ll journey through time, encountering convict tales and dockyard drama along the way. As you walk through iconic landmarks, you’ll hear the stories of those who once lived, worked and served time on the island.
Planning to visit? Refer to the information below ahead of your trip.
For information about getting here, including by public transport, see: Plan your trip.
Cockatoo Island is a former industrial site and the audio tour route includes uneven surfaces as well as small number of stairs. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend embarking on this tour at your own pace.
If you would prefer to engage with the tour content as written text, rather than as audio, you have the option to do so within the audio tour mobile display.
This tour contains stories of crime and punishment, which may not be suitable for children.
Q. Do I need headphones?
A. No, but for the most immersive experience, we recommend using headphones during the tour.
Q. How long is the tour valid for?
A. The tour is valid for 24 hours from the time of purchase and can be taken multiple times by simply restarting it.
Q. How can I see my location within the tour?
A. To view your location on the tour map, ensure location services are enabled on your device. This will display your position on the map and help you navigate the area. If location services are enabled but your location isn’t showing, tap the 'show my location' button in the top right corner of the map screen. This will move the map to your current location.
Q. I accidentally closed my browser. How do I get back?
A. If you accidentally close your browser, you can resume the tour by returning to the main tour page. You’ll also find a link to the tour in the email receipt you received at the time of purchase.
Q. I purchased the tour but I can’t access it. What do I do?
A. If you’ve already purchased the tour but are having trouble accessing it, you can use the recovery link located at the bottom of the payment page.
Q. Does this tour use cookies?
A. The tour application uses cookies to function properly. If you block or delete cookies in your browser (viewing in a private window or incognito mode) you may have problems accessing the tour. In this case, you'll need to revalidate your access using the recovery link.
Q. Can I read what's being said in the audio story?
A. The app includes a text-based transcript of the audio, allowing you to read along with the tour. To open the transcript window, tap the menu icon on the black location panel.
Q. Can I replay the audio?
A. Yes. If you missed something or want to hear part of the audio story again, you can use the controls at the bottom of the screen to skip forward or backward. Alternatively, tapping the stop location on the map will restart the story from the beginning.
Our 3 self-guided audio tours will be unavailable between 11 and 19 August due to a private event.
We look forward to offering these experiences again from 20 August. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Looking to visit, stay at or tour Cockatoo Island? Here are some useful links.
Cockatoo Island is one of 11 historic sites that together form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.
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