School, scout and youth group camping

Owing to its layered history and strong, continued ties to the First Nations, Cockatoo Island is the perfect camping spot for your school, scout or youth group.

Formerly a convict penal establishment, reformatory school and naval dockyard, our UNESCO World Heritage listed island features structures and relics that tell stories of bygone eras. Critically, there are opportunities for students to exercise their imagination, participate in outdoor activities and engage with the living history of the island.  

Plus, our campground features excellent amenities students and teachers, including hot showers and a sheltered kitchen with barbeques, boiling water, fridges, microwaves and seating.

MAKE A BOOKING

To book a camping trip for your school, scout or youth group, complete the booking form in our Teacher’s Information Pack (Note: The form contains editable fields and can be emailed, upon completion, to stay@cockatooisland.gov.au).  The Information Pack also contains information about activities, catering and campground accommodation for students and teachers.

TRANSPORT

Cockatoo Island is easy to get to by public transport. Regular ferry services run from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and other inner-harbour wharves. Further information: Getting to Cockatoo Island.

Ferry ticket changes

With recent changes to the Sydney transport ticketing system and the introduction of the Opal Card, there are two options for ferry travel to Cockatoo Island:

1. Students purchase their own opal card before the excursion date. Please check current ticket pricing to ensure they have enough money to cover a return ferry ticket to Cockatoo Island.
2. Teachers can purchase return ferry tickets at the wharf in bundles of 10 with cash / credit card. These are valid for the day of purchase only.

We highly recommend you to notify Harbour City Ferries of your excursion at least three weeks in advance of your departure date. 

Please note travel costs are not included with your excursion.

Group Bookings – Harbour City Ferries

P:  02 8113 3002
groups@harbourcityferries.com.au

BRINGING VEHICLES ONTO THE ISLAND

Cockatoo Island is a pedestrian and cyclist friendly public park under the stewardship of the Harbour Trust. As such, vehicle usage on the island is restricted to essential deliveries and services.

With the exception of golf carts, vehicles are not to be used on Cockatoo Island for personal transport. Prior bringing a vehicle onto the island, vehicle operators are required to apply for approval from the Harbour Trust.

Additionally, a Vehicle Site Induction must be completed by the applicant prior to operating a vehicle on Cockatoo Island. This involves reviewing our Vehicle Induction pack and providing the Harbour Trust with a completed copy of our Vehicle Site Induction Record form. This induction process will make the operator aware of the rules and processes to follow when operating a vehicle on Cockatoo Island.

Upon arrival at Cockatoo Island, if Harbour Trust approval has been granted but a Vehicle Site Induction has not yet been completed, the vehicle operator must proceed to the Rangers’ Office ON FOOT to complete the relevant forms and conclude the induction process.

Vehicle operators must also consider the conditions for barging equipment onto Cockatoo Island (see below).

BARGING EQUIPMENT ONTO THE ISLAND

People seeking to barge equipment and supplies, including vehicles, to and from Cockatoo Island must first seek approval from the Harbour Trust. In addition, the challenges of barging equipment and supplies to and from the island safely and efficiently must be considered. 

The island is serviced by two regular ferry routes: the Harbour City Ferries Woolwich and Parramatta River services. However, these services are for people and general luggage only and should not be used for the transport of materials and large equipment. Harbour City Ferries may refuse vessel entry to people carrying large quantities of goods, materials or equipment.

A barge contractor may be employed to transport equipment to the island from the mainland by applying to use the island’s roll-on/roll-off slipway. There are currently two experienced operators who service Cockatoo Island from the Harbour Trust’s mainland barge facility at Woolwich. Your Harbour Trust contact will provide details of these operators. The Woolwich slipway is available for use from Monday to Saturday between 7am and 4.30pm.

See also: FAQs, terms and conditions and Risk Assessment Form

For school camping bookings and enquiries, call the Cockatoo Island accommodation team (02) 8969 2111 or email stay@cockatooisland.gov.au