Cockatoo Island: Heritage Listed History on the Harbour
A scattering of small islets dot Sydney’s picturesque harbourscape, the largest of which is the historic Cockatoo Island. Located at the junction of the Lane Cove and Parramatta rivers, the island is accessible by public ferry from Circular Quay and via the Parramatta Rivercat. In its former life, Cockatoo Island was an imperial prison, an industrial school, a reformatory and one of Australia’s largest naval and commercial shipyards.
Today, the World Heritage listed island is preserved by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust as a publically-owned urban park and campground. Festivals and art exhibitions regularly make appearances on the island.
The 18 hectare island’s colonial history began in 1839, when it was chosen as the site of a gaol to accommodate Sydney’s ever-growing convict population. The convicts built their own gaol and forged their own prison bars under the guard of the British ‘redcoats’.
They were shackled in iron chains as they quarried the sandstone that built the prison walls. After the gaol closed in 1869, the buildings continued to be used; as an industrial school for girls, and again as a prison from 1880 to 1909. The first of two dry docks was completed in 1847, and in 1913, Cockatoo Island became the naval dockyard of the Royal Australian Navy. During World War II, the island was the main ship repair facility in the south west Pacific. The dockyard was finally closed in 1992, and the island was virtually deserted for 13 years.
In March 2005, Cockatoo Island was reopened to the public with the fondly-remembered Cockatoo Island Festival, in which historic buildings became soundstages for big name Aussie bands and an old tunnel played host to DJs.
Today, the mix of atmosphere, history and harbour views continue to attract a steady stream of visitors. You can pick up a map and wander around the relics on your own, or join a guided tour and gain fascinating insights into the lives of the people who once called Cockatoo Island home. The one and a half hour Sunday tour takes in the prison barracks, the industrial workshops, the underground grain silos, tunnels and docks.
The island also features a campground with fabulous Parramatta River vistas, several historic holiday houses, a tennis court and easy slipway access should you choose to arrive at Cockatoo Island by kayak. Check out the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust for all the details.
HelloSydney Tip: Another reason to visit Cockatoo Island is the newly opened Cockatoo Island Bar, set overlooking the harbour and serving up wine, beer, cocktails, bar snacks and apertivo share plates. Trading hours are Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Posted on Jan 19, 2011 by Fiona Davies
