Enjoy an Island Vacation this Summer at Cockatoo Island/Wareamah

Want to enjoy an island vacation… without leaving Sydney? Spend the summer months camping with your family at Cockatoo Island, located in the heart of Sydney Harbour. Cockatoo Island connects to the waterways and homelands of the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal and Gadigal Peoples, who know it as Wareamah.

Cockatoo Island Camping 

There are multiple camping options to choose from at Cockatoo Island, catering for different preferences, budgets, and family sizes.

Camping Site Only 

Seeking a DIY camping experience? Select the ‘BYO tent’ option and pitch your own tent. Up to 4 guests are permitted with this option, but up to two extra guests can be accommodated for an additional cost.

• Monday to Thursday – From $50 per night
• Friday to Sunday – From $60 per night
• Additional person – From $15 per night

Camping Package  

Love the Great Outdoors…but want a hassle-free stay? Purchase the Basic Camping Package for $550 to hire a pre-erected tent that can sleep either three adults or two adults with two children.

• Monday to Thursday – From $99 per night
• Friday to Sunday – From $109 per night

Deluxe Package

Looking for a romantic getaway? The Deluxe package includes a pre-furnished tent for two guests plus luxury toiletries.  

• Monday to Thursday – From $135 per night
• Friday to Sunday – From $160 per night

Deluxe Waterfront Camping

Ever dreamed about watching the sun set and rise on Sydney Harbour? The Deluxe Waterfront package makes this a reality with an opportunity to camp directly on the harbour! It includes a pre-furnished tent, which comfortably sleeps two guests, plus luxury toiletries. Bedding for one additional guest available. 

• Monday to Thursday – From $155 per night
• Friday to Sunday – From $180 per night
• Additional person (max. one person) – From $30 per night

Deluxe Waterfront Two-Bedroom Camping

This package includes two pre-furnished tents with a covered communal area plus luxury toiletries. Comfortably sleeps four guests; however, bedding for an additional two people is available. 

• Monday to Thursday – From $320 per night
• Friday to Sunday – From $375 per night
• Additional person (max. two people) – From $30 per night

Special deal: Stay two or more nights in Cockatoo island’s campground and receive 10% off your stay! To take advantage of this offer, select the ‘Stay Longer and Save’ rate when making an online booking via the Cockatoo Island website.

Amenities

Campers have 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 has a fire pit, located towards the slipways- however, its availability is weather dependent. Meanwhile, the Campground Cinema, located on the Upper Island next to the Convict Precinct, is open to accommodation guests every night. Movies screen at designated times depending on age group. 

What to bring

Depending on your selected camping package, we recommend you bring the following:

• Camping Package – Sleeping bags, pillows, a torch, food, non-alcoholic beverages, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates and personal items.
• Deluxe Camping Package – Food, non-alcoholic beverages, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates, personal items and a torch. 
• Deluxe Waterfront Camping Package – Food, non-alcoholic beverages, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates and personal items. 
• Deluxe Waterfront Two-Bedroom Camping Package – Food, non-alcoholic beverages, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates and personal items. 
• Camping Site Only (BYO tent) – A tent, sleeping bags, pillows, torch, food, non-alcoholic beverages, cooking utensils, cutlery, plates and personal items.

Plan ahead

Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is by 10am.

For those not wanting to BYO food/drink, the island’s family-friendly venues, Societe Overboard and Marina Café and Bar, operate daily and are licensed to serve alcohol. Guests can also preorder BBQ and breakfast packs, ahead of their stay, to prepare at the campground kitchen. 

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. 

Cockatoo Island Tours

Enhance your Cockatoo Island staycation by embarking on one of the available day or night tours, or purchasing the self-guided audio tour from the visitor centre. Each tour is an opportunity to discover a different layer to Cockatoo Island rich history.

World War II Shipyard Tour

Learn about the significant contribution Cockatoo Island's dockyard made to the Allied war effort during the global conflict. A knowledgeable guide will delve into this fascinating slice of maritime history as you visit key landmarks including the Turbine Shop, Fitzroy and Sutherland Docks and the Slipways.

Convict Precinct Tour 

Your guide will lead you through the turbulent history of the island's former penal establishment, stopping at iconic landmarks including the Mess Hall, Barracks, Guardhouse, Military Officers Quarters and Solitary Confinement Cells. 

Lower Island Tour 

As you explore the lower island, including the cathedral-like Turbine Shop, convict-built Fitzroy Dock and towering Powerhouse chimney, your knowledgeable guide will share stories and anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the island throughout the ages. Suitable for less mobile visitors. 

Sandstone to Steel Tour

Want a crash course in Cockatoo Island's storied history? Book tickets for Sandstone to Steel. This all-ages tour charts the changing face of Cockatoo Island. As you visit key landmarks, our guide will reveal how they fit into the island’s historical narrative. They will also share anecdotes about a colourful cast of real-life characters.

Ghost Tour (18+)

As the witching hour approaches, embark on a popular Ghost Tour and journey into Cockatoo Island’s supernatural realm. As you search for ghosts and explore historic buildings rarely open to the public, a guide will share macabre stories and hair-raising paranormal tales, including reported hauntings. 

Dark Past Tour

Secrets. Scandals. Skeletons... Cockatoo Island has its fair share of all three. Discover for yourself with our intrigue-filled Dark Past Tour. As you visit iconic landmarks and buildings from different eras, including the convict workshops, Dog Leg Tunnel and Biloela House, our guide will blend history with mystery to captivate your imagination!

Audio Tour

Cocktoo Islands self-guided Audio Tour paints a vivid picture of the island’s bygone days across 26 audio stops. Feauturing an informative narrator, sound effects and archival interviws, this self-guided tour is an immersive way of
experiencing Cockatoo Island’s history. Visitors can rent the audio tour handset from the visitor centre during operating hours (10am to 3pm daily). No booking required. 

Family Activities

A few simple ideas for family activities include giant chess (FREE), basketball (head to the visitor centre for ball hire or bring your own), and an interactive SMS-based tour known as ‘Hello Cockatoo Island’ tour (keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive
turquoise signs around the island).

For more information on Camping and Tours, visit the Cockatoo Island website. 

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