Book tickets ($25 per person)
Running Tuesday 4 March, our Seniors Festival Tour, Talk & Cruise Special is a chance for people aged 60+, people with a disability aged 50+ and First Nations people aged 50+ to enjoy a unique maritime experience on Sydney Harbour.
The experience commences with Shipyard Tales Tour – a 45-minute accessible tour of Cockatoo Island's lower level, including the historic dockyard (1857 to 1992). Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn how the dockyard evolved over time and hear quirky and thrilling tales of the people who worked there.
Following the tour, ticketholders will enjoy light refreshments and a presentation by the Naval Historical Society. The adventure will then culminate with a voyage aboard the Bennelong. This historic boat will collect ticketholders from Cockatoo Island's ferry wharf and embark on a cruise around nearby Spectacle Island. Ticketholders will hear from Captain David Michael, the current President of the Naval Historical Society and former manager of Spectacle Island.
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 and Barangaroo, as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. Please note travel costs are not included with the performance ticket. You will need to either purchase a ferry ticket or tap on/off with your Opal card or credit card.
For further information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.
The Seniors Festival Tour, Talk & Cruise Special will proceed regardless of weather conditions except in the event of dangerous weather. Ticketholders will be notified via email if the event is cancelled, and in these circumstances, a full refund will be issued.
Please note: Cockatoo Island is a former industrial site. While the lower island is generally accessible, there are some uneven surfaces and some buildings are not suited to mobility aids. The Seniors Festival Tour, Talk & Cruise Special is suitable for people with mobility scooters and walking sticks. Due to the heritage nature of the Bennelong boat, this package is not suitable for those with wheelchairs.
The Harbour Trust reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or alter the date and route of the Seniors Festival Tour, Talk & Cruise Special. In the event this event is cancelled or rescheduled, the Harbour Trust will endeavour to contact ticketholders within a reasonable amount of time prior to the scheduled start time. If the event is cancelled by the Harbour Trust, may request tickets for the rescheduled date (if available) or a refund).
Our First Nations community are advised that the Seniors Festival Tour, Talk & Cruise Special contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.
Ticketholders must comply with the safety directives issued by guides, rangers and security staff. Further, Harbour Trust staff have the discretion to ask a ticketholder to leave at any time before or during the event if they appear intoxicated or display disruptive or unsafe behaviours. Refunds will not be provided.
Suitable walking shoes and wet weather gear.
Book tickets
Looking to visit, stay at or tour 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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