Formerly a convict penal establishment, reformatory school and naval dockyard, our UNESCO World Heritage listed island features structure and relics from bygone eras. Thus, it is an ideal setting for students to exercise their imagination, participate in outdoor activities and learn about the living history of Sydney Harbour.
We offer school groups, including teachers and supervisors, 3 camping options, catering for different needs and preferences (details below).
Our BYO tent option is an opportunity for your students to have an authentic, DIY camping experience and pitch their own tent. It includes an unpowered 4m x 4m site that sleeps up to 4 students.
[Note: For every 10 unpowered camping sites you book, your school group will receive a complimentary camping site meaning teachers and supervisors can receive accommodation FREE of charge.]
Our standard camping package includes a pre-erected 2.4m x 2.4m twin-share tent that can accommodate up to 3 people.
[Note: For every 10 camping packages you book, your school group will receive a complimentary package meaning teachers and supervisors can receive accommodation FREE of charge.]
Teachers and supervisors can combine their love of the Great Outdoors with their desire for a truly hassle-free excursion. Our Deluxe Camping Package includes a pre-furnished 2.4m x 2.4m twin-share tent for up to 2 guests as well as luxurious toiletries courtesy of Appelles Apothecary.
Sundry food items, toiletries, ear plugs, camper packs and sleeping bags can be purchased from our Visitor Centre. The following items are also available for hire:
Looking for ways to keep your students active and engaged during their school camping trip? A range of rewarding school group experiences are offered at Cockatoo Island.
Cost: $14 per student, teachers/supervisors FREE | Available: Monday to Friday (subject to guide availability)
Our 90-minute curriculum-based education programs are led by specialist teachers who use scaffolding and other strategies to develop critical thinking – all while providing an engaging and fun experience!
Please note: Education programs must be booked separately to camping. Due to demand, we recommend booking at least 2 months in advance.
Cost: $14 per student, teachers/supervisors FREE | Available: Monday to Thursday (subject to guide availability)
Secrets. Scandals. Skeletons... Cockatoo Island has its fair share of all 3. As students explore the island’s atmospheric landmarks, our guide will blend mystery with history to captivate their imaginations with our 90 minute Dark Past Tour.
Please note: Dark Past Tour bookings must be made 6-weeks in advance and separately to camping.
Cost: $5 per person (includes popcorn) | Available: Upon request
Kick back in our campground cinema with your students and enjoy a free selection of films. The cinema can comfortably accommodate up to 30 people. Group cinematic experiences can be arranged through the accommodation team.
Cost: Free ($7 for marshmellow bags and sticks) | Available: Anytime (weather dependent)
As night falls, head to our campground firepit and trade stories as you enjoy flame-roasted marshmallows. Marshmallow bags (incl. sticks) available for $7 from the Visitor Centre. The availability of our firepit is weather dependent.
Cost: Free | Available: Anytime
What’s better than playing a game of chess in your living room? Playing a game on our giant, outdoor chess board! Head to the island’s Eastern Apron, it’s your move!
Cost: Free | Available: First Tuesday of every month
Toot, toot! Specialist volunteers carry out maintenance checks on the island’s historic steam cranes on the first Tuesday of every month. If your visit coincides with an upcoming maintenance check day, your students will get to see an ‘Iron Giant’ in action.
Cost: Corn hole is FREE while Quoits, finska, frescobal and hoopla can be hired for $5 | Available: During Visitor Centre hours
A true test of hand-eye coordination and depth perception, corn hole is a game where players take turns attempting to throw beanbags into a raised hole. We also offer addictive variations on the classic ring toss game (Finska, Quoits and Hoopla) plus Frescobal – a paddle ball game popular in Brazil.
Cost: Free or $5 if you'd like to a hire a basketball | Available: During Visitor Centre hours
Play a game of basketball at our harbour-side court, a short distance from the ferry wharf. Bring a basketball or hire one from the Visitor Centre for $5.
Our waterfront campground provides students, teachers and supervisors alike with access to toilets, hot showers and a communal kitchen featuring sheltered facilities. These include barbeques, boiling water, fridges, microwaves, a vending machine and seating for up to 50 people. The campground also feature a fire pit, located towards the slipways.
For a care-free stay, we provide campers with access to convenient meal options. The island’s family-friendly venues, Cockatoo Overboard and Marina Cafe and Bar, operate daily, and school groups can take advantage of the campground kitchen facilities.
In addition, Cockatoo Overboard offers catering to school groups. To discuss your group's dietary requirements, contact the café directly on 0434 372 260.
What to pack – Depending on the camping packages you have selected, we recommend individuals bring the following:
Accessibility – The campground is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible shower and toilet available. Please note: tents have a step to enter, which is not suitable for wheelchair access. To discuss accessibility, contact stay@cockatooisland.gov.au.
Terms and conditions – Ahead of your stay, please familiarise yourself with our accommodation T&Cs.
Ferries – The easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island is by Public ferry. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island daily, departing from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. For further information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
Opal cards – If your group is travelling to Cockatoo Island by ferry, each person will need to be in possession of an Opal Card with sufficient funds. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase Opal One Day Travel Passes for their entire group. To arrange Opal One Day Travel Passes for your group, visit opaldaypass.transport.nsw.gov.au.
Parking facilities – On-street parking is available for cars near the ferry wharves at Woolwich, Greenwich, Chiswick, Huntleys Point, Drummoyne, Birchgrove and Balmain. The Clarkes Point Reserve Carpark (access via Clarke Road, Woolwich) offers parking for coaches and is a short walk from the Woolwich ferry wharf.
If you are planning to barge supplies, equipment or vehicles, to and from Cockatoo Island, you must first seek approval from the Harbour Trust. Our approval process involves consideration of the challenges of barging supplies, equipment and vehicles, to and from Cockatoo Island safely and efficiently.
Public ferries operating to and from Cockatoo Island are for passengers and general luggage only, and should not be used to transport materials and large equipment. The ferry service provider may refuse entry to groups carrying large quantities of goods, materials or equipment.
A barge contractor may be employed to transport equipment to and from Cockatoo Island if they apply 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 (email stay@cockatooisland.gov.au for details). The Woolwich slipway is available for use by barge operators between 7am and 4:30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Looking to visit or stay at 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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