Cockatoo for kids
Hey kids
If you love going on adventures, then you have to visit Cockatoo Island!
It's been around for centuries first it was a convict gaol, then a school for naughty girls, then a huge shipbuilding yard and a place where submarines were fixed. Heaps of the old buildings are still there. You can check out the original convict gaol, barracks and guardhouse. They were all built in the early days of Sydney's settlement.
Did you know that Cockatoo Island was where infamous bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt, made his escape?
You can also walk through underground tunnels and see the enormous sheds, workshops and cranes that were used to build ships. And there are special docks too. Thousands of people worked at Cockatoo Island as apprentices and tradesmen.
Plan your own adventure
One of the best things about visiting Cockatoo Island is that you can catch a ferry there. The island is in Sydney Harbour ' only about a 10-minute ride from Circular Quay. It's so much fun!
Make sure you bring a grown-up with you to visit Cockatoo Island. When you get off the ferry, you can pick up a brochure with a map that shows you how to get around and see all these amazing things. And when you have had enough walking around, you can sit down at the cafe for some lunch or a snack. Or if you are really lucky, you might be allowed to bring the family tent and stay overnight at the Campground. What a great school holiday activity that would be!
And don't forget to tell your teacher that you can also visit Cockatoo Island for a school excursion. It's a really cool place to learn about the history of Sydney, and your friends would really love the chance to travel on a ferry too.
Ships Ahoy Treasure Trail
Collect your free treasure map from the Muster Station Visitor Office when you arrive, then head out to find rusty cranes, enormous docks and gigantic old workshops. You'll find the Muster Station just near the entrance after you alight from the ferry. Say hello to our volunteers and ask them for your treasure map. Find all the treasures and return to the Muster Station for your reward!
More things to do
You might want to print this activity booklet before you visit so you can impress your friends and family with all the info about Cockatoo Island.
More information
Book now for your school to visit Cockatoo Island
