A stunning piece of Australian history

The big picture

Oh yeah..bow bow, chick, chicka chicka! Welcome to Cockatoo Island folks, Sydney Harbours largest island. It’s an escape in the heart of the city that was once impossible to escape. Opened to the public in 2005 after over 100 years of exclusivity to the likes of convicts and Shipwrights (ship builders), it is now a haven for weekenders, day-trippers and a variety of activities and events. As well as being a sought after spot for most of Sydney’s major events such as New Years Eve and Australia Day, Cockatoo Island is being redefined as a place to get that island feeling whilst maintaining the integrity of its history. There is so much to do and see that you would have to be a prior convict that has travelled into the future for it not to appeal to you. Even then, the views might have made you think twice about trying to escape in the first place, though what use are views if you can’t touch it. Well you’re not a time travelling convict so just go and touch it.

There’s only one way on and off the island and that’s of course by ferry or water taxi unless you have your own boat or kayak. There are a number of wharfs around town that have ample parking or simply train it to your nearest wharf. Plan your trip via the public transport website.

If you do have your own vessel you can moor it at Camber Wharf fairly inexpensively, just note that there are size restrictions. And yes you can absolutely get there by kayak if you so choose (via ‘Slipway two’).

Read on but fair warning, you may not want to leave the island. It was a struggle for us and it only took a glance in the direction of the wharf for the onset of holiday blues to kick in after just a day.

Find out more information about the history of Cockatoo Island here.

Be bored no more

Anything you want they got it

Boy oh boy, where do we start? On your approach to Cockatoo Island one of the first things you’ll notice is a camping ground that looks a little like WWIII has broken out and a fair bet would suggest that’s the idea. You will soon see there’s more, much more than first meets the eye. The purposefully styled camp site perfectly compliments the historical nature of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed island. By no means though will you be slumming it. With reasonable rates, options start from basic camping and go right up to glamping for the precious ones. If you’re in no way the camping type or want something a bit more shnazzy, they also have well-appointed self-contained apartments. There are a number of reasons why you absolutely need to stay on the island at least once and whilst we can’t go through them all, you’ll get the gist. Check out the view for a start and on the other end of the island, which we’ll get to, the harbour bridge and city skyline rest pretty.

The campsite offers a communal kitchen with BBQ’s, a fridge, microwave and hot water and whilst you cannot bring alcohol onto the island, you can bring your own food or alternatively you can eat at one of the establishments on the island where you can also purchase alcohol. Aside from the location itself, the island draws campers with a number of educational and entertainment type events hosted within the walls of history and beyond. A recent addition to their events is the Wanderlust Festival which attracts music and yoga lovers wanting to fill their mind, body and soul cups to the brim over the span of a weekend. The island is fast becoming the place to be for event organisers and an apple in the eye of international film makers too.

Swim off the slipway under the shadows of a bygone era and in the footsteps of the ‘Unbroken’

Before you get ahead of yourself though it’s worthwhile getting to know the island and there are a number of ways to do this. All visitors should definitely start at the Cockatoo Island Visitors Centre located just in the entrance where you arrive. If you’re feeling adventurous you can grab a map and wander the island on your own or a more convenient option is to grab an audio tour. The audio tour doesn’t cost much at all and provides a great overview of the islands history and its current uses. You can also skip bits if you want to push on. Alternatively, if you’re really into it you can join a guided tour for a few more bob (Australian for ‘dollars’).

At one of the first stops you’ll come across the original slipways from the islands ship-building period dating back to the mid-1800’s. The blend of preserved history with modern leisure is uniquely exciting even for someone who may not be overjoyed by a stroll down way old memory lane. The slipway pictured above is the only area on the island where swimming is permitted (at ones own risk of course). Yes you can swim off Cockatoo Island! What was most intriguing about this particular location which was familiar to us on our approach to the island is, ‘Slipway one’ is the actual location of a crucial scene from Angelina Jolie’s Directing debut film ‘Unbroken’.

Should they sink it?

This vessel is one of the props left behind from the film that is currently sitting on the banks of the slipway. If anyone can translate what that actually says on the boat, please share. Meanwhile, the folks at Cockatoo Island have some grand but unconfirmed plans for this girl. Her ultimate destiny may rest in the deep just off the island in the hopes of creating a new sanctuary for marine-life and an aquatic adventure for the scuba folk. So will they sink it? We’ll have to wait and see.

Take a walk through history – you can almost hear the walls talk

If you’ve seen ‘Unbroken’ you’ll continue to spot some familiar scenes as you venture around the island. For those into architecture, photography or both, you’ll find perfect frames at each step. The upper island walk will take you through the sandstone convict barracks that are hauntingly beautiful. A fitting segue into Australia’s largest contemporary visual arts exhibition, the Biennale of Sydney is held every two years at Cockatoo Island. The next exhibition will be hosted in 2016.

Once you’ve quenched your thirst for history, it’s time to play. So if you’re one of the lucky ones staying on for the night, go and settle in to your chosen abode before slipping into something comfy. If you’re still in the mood for exploring, you can hire a boat and either explore the islands boundaries or even hop around the harbour. Whilst fishing is not allowed on the island, there are designated fishing areas located around the island so the boat (or a dinghy) is a perfect solution for the avid fisherman with a hankering.

One big playground… and the Wiggles

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the recreational facilities such as the basketball and tennis courts, or you can make you’re own magic if you’ve brought along soccer balls, footballs, juggling pins, hula hoops, cards, board games, whatever tickles your twinkle toes. Otherwise you can just lay back on a park bench or sprawl out on the grass and breathe in that crisp island air with the music from the Island Bar drifting on the breeze from a distance. It’s a great place to watch the ferries and sail boats cruise around ‘neath the Harbour Bridge.

Eat, drink and be merry

The Island Bar is the islands hot spot with a spectacular view

Got the munchies yet? As mentioned earlier, if you’re staying on the island you have access to the communal kitchen but that doesn’t rule out BBQ’s for the rest of us. There are public BBQ facilities also. For those who prefer to be served on the other hand, the island offers some fairly decent choices for both eating and drinking. It’s worth mentioning that the closing times are considerably early which detracts from that island feeling a little. Nonetheless, you’ll find the Island Bar pretty attractive if you feel like spunking it up a bit. They serve Italian style food and an array of cocktails but more importantly they have deck chairs looking out toward the city and Harbour Bridge. On the odd occasion they will open late to host special events. This is where those awesome chill out tunes live and this is the place that brings in most of the islands guests of an evening.

Some fish’n’chips and a beer? Hells yeah…

The casual options like Societe Overboard and the Marine Centre Cafe also whip up some ‘nom nom’ (yummy) dishes and can pour you a decent wine or beer to sit with whilst you drool over the harbour. You can even pre-purchase BBQ hampers. Check out all the food and drink options here.

Before we forget there are also venue hire facilities on offer featuring some of the oldest buildings in Sydney in a dead set gorgeous location. If you’re preparing for that special day or event, perhaps it’s time to dream big.

Hot tips

More like kamikazes! Avoid straw hats and loose hair on the upper island… seriously.

So after a day on Cockatoo Island we can truly say we’re going back to stay. We’ll be regularly stalking their upcoming events and hitching that ferry back and forth as often as we can so that we can sample everything this magnificent place has to offer. Aside from the ‘attack of the seagulls’ saga and there were no scars other than some short lived trauma, we could not fault this island suburb of Sydney. The island staff were extremely adorable and helpful in every way. It was a perfect day from the moment we set foot on the ferry. Have at it!

Nearby

Abbotsford, Balmain, Drummoyne, McMahons Point, Pyrmont, The Rocks.

Location Map

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