On the hunt for a family adventure that's big on fun and light on your wallet? Set your sights on Cockatoo Island! A spectacular slice of history in the middle of Sydney Harbour, the island is a place where families can step back in time. Best of all, family-friendly activities (including camping and tours) are available all year round – both during and outside the school holidays.

Whether you're making a day of it or staying overnight, there’s plenty to keep little explorers busy. These include the good-humoured Curious Tales Family Tour, plus Our day at Cockatoo Island – a self-guided family tour for kids aged 6 to 10.

A Hidden Harbour Gem And a Recipe For a Fun Outing

Free to explore all year round, Cockatoo Island might be one of Sydney’s hidden gems… but it certainly shouldn't be missed! Once families step off the ferry (following an easy, scenic ride), they’ll be transported to a different era thanks to jaw-dropping historic spaces and landmarks, including the former convict jail (1839-1869) and naval dockyard (1857-1992). Throw in a program of engaging tours, outdoor cafes and sprawling picnic spots, and you’ll quickly realise this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is a recipe for a great day out…whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart!

Discover a Weird and Wacky Side to Cockatoo Island

In the market for some good, old-fashioned fun… but with a smidge of good-natured filth? Then your kids will be thrilled by Cockatoo Island’s brand-new, after-hours offering: Curious Tales Family Tour!

Accompanied by a knowledgeable storyteller, your family will laugh and gasp as they’re introduced to a weird but wonderful cast of real-life characters and creatures! These include a gang of woolly bandits, the ‘ghosts’ of Fitzroy Dock… and a pair of pranksters who caused a great stink! Curious Tales Family Tour is guaranteed entertainment for oddballs of all ages! It runs from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm each Saturday, and tickets are available from $20. Online bookings are essential.

A Colourful Souvenir That’s Also An Action-Packed Tour

If you’re keen to entertain the kids on a tight budget, then look no further than Our day at Cockatoo Island – a hands-on, self-guided tour that's perfect for curious youngsters aged 6 to 10.

Equipped with a booklet that’s full of colourful illustrations – and guided by a series of pink cockatoo signs and ground stickers – young adventurers (with a grown-up in tow) will visit 8 activity-packed stops across the island.

Along the way, your kids will meet a whale named Burriburri as well as an ancient amphibian. Plus, they’ll learn to communicate like a sailor, get creative with drawing and writing activities, play like a convict and uncover stories from the island’s incredible past.

Available in English and Simplified Chinese, the $5 tour booklet includes a map as well as details on each activity and stop. Plus, it comes bundled with a pencil and a pair of colourful paper flags. Best of all? When the tour is done, you get to keep the booklet and flags as a souvenir!

Head to the Visitor & Accommodation Centre between 10 am and 4 pm to pick up your copy of Our day at Cockatoo Island, and while you’re there, grab a limited-edition 'I visited Cockatoo Island' tote bag for $12 to keep everything in one handy place!

Get Your Crane Fix, Enjoy a Bite, Let Loose and Take Flight!

Cockatoo Island is brimming with other fun activities for all ages, all year round – and many of them are free. As your kids encounter incredible landmarks from its convict and dockyard eras, they’ll get to imagine what it was like to be a convict, a shipbuilder ... or even a steam crane operator! Speaking of which… if you visit on the first Tuesday of the month, you’ll get to see one of the island’s massive Iron Giants in action – a true highlight for machine-obsessed kids and history buffs.

Need a break? Stop by the Marina Café & Bar or Cockatoo Overboard for an ice cream, snack or a hot chocolate. Alternatively, pack a picnic and head to Biloela Lawn, on the upper island, for one of the best views in Sydney. If your kids have energy to burn, take advantage of the island’s sprawling green space and let them loose! Better yet, bring a ball or kite – there’s plenty of room to move! More of a scooter family? The dockyard era Turbine Shop offers plenty of pavement to scoot on!

To make the most of your visit, check out Cockatoo Island's Family Itineraries webpage for inspiration on how to plan your big day of adventure!

Camp Overnight On Sydney Harbour

Turn your Cockatoo Island day trip into a family staycation! The island’s waterfront campground offers a range of affordable options, from BYO tent spots to basic camping packages with pre-erected tents. For a little more space and comfort, the deluxe two-bedroom package includes two tents with a sheltered table area – perfect for families with older kids.

Camping gives you more time to explore, stargaze, toast marshmallows at the fire pit, and enjoy the island once the day trippers have left.

Getting To Cockatoo Island is a Breeze

It’s easier to get to Cockatoo Island than you might think! Simply hop on a ferry from Circular Quay, Barangaroo or along the Parramatta River. For the quickest route, take the F3 ferry from Barangaroo, and you’ll be on the island in under 10 minutes. Ferries run daily, and the journey is part of the adventure with stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House along the way. Plan your ferry trip to Cockatoo Island.

Cockatoo Island: The Fast Facts

Cockatoo Island sits in the middle of Sydney Harbour and is free to explore year-round. It is accessible by public ferry from Circular Quay (approx. 25 minutes), Barangaroo (10 minutes), and wharves along the Parramatta River. Part of the Australian Convict Sites UNESCO World Heritage listing (inscribed 2010), the island operated as a convict prison from 1839 to 1869 and a naval dockyard from 1857 to 1992.

Families can explore independently at no cost or they can enjoy paid experiences, including the self-guided Our day at Cockatoo Island booklet tour ($5, ages 6–10), the after-hours Curious Tales Family Tour (from $20, Saturdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm), and monthly steam crane demonstrations on the first Tuesday of each month.

Overnight camping is available at the island's waterfront campground, with options ranging from BYO tent sites to pre-erected tent packages. There are two cafes on the island, and its open green spaces are suitable for picnics, ball sports and kite flying. There is also a BBQ, free for public use, on the lower island, and concrete in the Turbine Shop is suitable for scooters.

Cockatoo Island FAQs

Is Cockatoo Island free to visit? Yes, entry to Cockatoo Island is free, and the island is open to the public every day of the year (with a few exceptions, including New Year’s Eve and the morning
of New Year’s Day). Some experiences cost extra, including the self-guided family tour booklet ($5), the Curious Tales Family Tour (from $20 per person), and overnight camping packages (prices vary). The steam crane demonstration on the first Tuesday of each month is also free to watch.

How do you get to Cockatoo Island? Take a public ferry to Cockatoo Island. It runs daily from Circular Quay (approx. 25 minutes), Barangaroo (10 minutes), and stops at wharves along the Parramatta River. The journey itself offers views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House (depending on the ferry service). No car access exists; the ferry is the only way to reach the island.

What is there to do at Cockatoo Island with kids? Families can explore historic convict and dockyard-era landmarks for free, pick up the Our day at Cockatoo Island self-guided tour booklet ($5, recommended ages 6–10), join the after-hours Curious Tales Family Tour on Saturday evenings, watch live steam crane demonstrations (first Tuesday of the month), picnic on Biloela Lawn, and scoot or play on the dockyard pavements. Interactive activities in the tour booklet include drawing, writing, games, and learning sailor signals.

Can you camp on Cockatoo Island? Yes. Cockatoo Island has a waterfront campground with multiple accommodation options, from BYO tent sites to basic packages with pre-erected tents. The deluxe two-bedroom package includes two tents with a sheltered table area, suited to families with older children. Camping lets you stay on the island after day visitors leave, with access to fire pits for toasting marshmallows and open space for stargazing. Every camper has access to dedicated facilities, including toilets, hot showers and a laundry, plus a cinema and a sheltered kitchen with fridges, BBQs, hot water, microwaves and benches.

Is Cockatoo Island suitable for toddlers and young children? Yes, the island's open lawns, flat dockyard areas, and free-roaming spaces work well for toddlers and young kids. The self-guided booklet tour is designed for ages 6 to 10, while the Curious Tales Family Tour suits curious kids of most ages.

Is food available on Cockatoo Island? Yes, there are two cafés to choose from, meaning you don't need to bring everything with you (though packing a picnic is a popular option). 

Is Cockatoo Island accessible? Cockatoo Island is managed by the Harbour Trust. They aim to make the island accessible to as many visitors as possible, including parents with children; however, the island is a former industrial site. For more information, view the Cockatoo Island accessibility information webpage.

Whether you're looking for an easy day out or a short family getaway, Cockatoo Island is your one-stop destination for family fun, with plenty to see, do and learn. Plan your big day out at Cockatoo Island.

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