The 17 cranes, located around Cockatoo Island, have heritage value and contribute to the unique industrial skyline of Sydney Harbour. 

In recent years, the Harbour Trust with the aid of its Volunteer Restoration team  has restored five smaller cranes, and are currently in the process of restoring five more. We expect restoration works on one small crane (No.25, near the Societe café), to commence in the coming year.  Most recently, we completed three years of restoration work on the No. 2 Travelling Steam Crane. This crane is a rare example of early steam powered cranes and amongst the oldest in Australia.

Current restoration works (November 2018)

The Harbour Trust is currently undertaking essential make-safe works on six cranes that are in varying states of dilapidation. Of those six cranes:

• Three cranes (Nos. 231, 277 and 302) will undergo minor make-safe works including securing of cabins, windows, and tying or dismantling of luffing ropes and lifting hooks. 
• Two cranes (No. 300 and 060) on the northern and eastern aprons will have their boom (arm) and associated fixings temporarily dismantled to become part of Harbour Trust heritage restoration program in 2019. 
• One large crane (No. 115) on the southern apron, is being dismantled (including boom and cabin) as it is severely deteriorated. The crane base will remain in situ. Restoration of this crane is especially challenging due to its large size and poor condition, requiring significant levels of resources, and making it difficult to work on safely. 

The current make-safe works are being undertaken following independent engineering advice aimed at ensuring both public safety, and the long-term conservation of the cranes.

See also: No. 2 Travelling Steam Crane: free demonstration and Cockatoo Island Crane Restored to Steam-Powered Glory (Media Release)