School Holiday Fun At Cockatoo Island This Summer 19/20

These school holidays, escape with friends and family to Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour! Between Saturday 21 December and Tuesday 18 January 2020, there will be an exciting program of activities including vacation care, immersive tours and historic crane demos. Children will have opportunities to learn outdoors, make friends and tap into their creativity as they discover one of Sydney’s most extraordinary places.

Crooked Characters Tour

Get to know the charlatans, rogues, thieves and cut-throats that once populated Cockatoo Island, with our Crooked Characters Tour. This hour-long tour takes families on a hilarious and fascinating journey through the island’s colonial and recent history.

Where: Campground fire pit (meeting point)
When: 1pm and 3pm on select Sundays (22 and 29 December; 5, 12, 19 and 26 January)
Cost: $12 per adult, $5 per child (12 and under)
Book: cockatooisland.gov.au/en/see-and-do/tours/crooked-characters-tour/

Convict Escape Attempts Tour (NEW)

This all-ages tour will introduce you to the brave, foolhardy and desperate convicts who dared to escape Cockatoo Island’s penal establishment between 1839 and 1869. As you explore the island, you’ll hear about successful and ill-fated escape attempts involving disguises, sewers, shark-infested waters, stolen boats and a volley of bullets.

Where: Upper & lower island
When: 10:30am and 3pm on select Saturdays (21 and 28 December; 4, 11, 18 and 25 January)
Cost: $16 per adult, $5 per child (12 and under)
Book: cockatooisland.gov.au/en/see-and-do/tours/escape-attempts-tour/

From Sandstone to Steel Tour

Our all-ages From Sandstone to Steel Tour is a crash course in the island's layered history and an opportunity to explore landmarks including the Convict Precinct and cathedral-like Turbine Shed.

Where: Upper & lower island
When: 12:30pm on select Saturdays (21 and 28 December; 11, 18 and 25 January)
Cost: $16 per adult, $5 per child (12 and under)

Book: cockatooisland.gov.au/en/see-and-do/tours/from-sandstone-to-steel/

Steam crane demos

Travel back to the era when steam ruled! On Saturday 21 December and Saturday 11 January, you can see the No. 2 Travelling Steam Crane in action. Installed on Cockatoo Island during the early 1900s, the metal behemoth was recently restored to its former, steam-powered glory by Harbour Trust volunteers.

Where: Fitzroy Dock
When: 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm on Saturday, 21 December and Saturday, 11 January 
Cost: FREE

Learn More: cockatooisland.gov.au/en/see-and-do/whats-on/steam-crane-demo/

Vacation care program

Cockatoo Island’s vacation care program combines fun activities, outdoor exploration and historical learning. Children will learn about the Island's storied past, including the golden maritime era, as they engage in fun games including historical roleplay. They will also get to tap into their creativity as they construct ships using LEGO and recyclable materials.

Where: Visitor Centre (meeting point)
When: Available Monday-Friday during the School Holidays
Cost: $12 per student, supervisors free of charge

Book: cockatooisland.gov.au/en/learn/vacation-care/

For more information, visit the website.

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