Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, Cockatoo Island is a former imperial prison, industrial school, reformatory and gaol. It is also the site of one of Australia's biggest shipyards during the twentieth century. The first of its two dry docks was built by convicts and was completed in 1857. The island's maritime industrial activity ceased in 1992.

Cockatoo Island has a long history of ship repair and shipbuilding activities. Fitzroy Dock was the first dry dock, built using convict labour between 1847 and 1857. Shipbuilding began on the island in 1870 with the construction of dredges, barges and tugs. Nearby Sutherland Dock was built with free labour between 1882 and 1890. In 1913, Cockatoo Island became the naval dockyard of the Royal Australian Navy and grew to become Australia's biggest shipbuilding and dockyard facility. The shipyard closed in 1992 but many of the workshops, docks and equipment were retained.

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. In 1839 it was chosen as the site of a new penal establishment and convicts built prison barracks, a military guardhouse and official residences. The island was used for the colony's ship repair and shipbuilding activities after the first dry dock was completed by convicts in 1857. It became Australia's biggest shipbuilding and dockyard facility in the 20th century. The island's maritime industrial activity ceased in 1992 but many of the workshops and equipment have been retained as an attraction. 

 

TO GET THERE: Take a ferry from circular quay

COST: Free (other than ferry fare)

OPEN: Daily (check ferry timetable)

WEB: http://www.cockatooisland.gov.au