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Dark Past Tour (15+)
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1 featuresCultural and Theme Tours
Other tours by Tours of Cockatoo Island
Island Highlights Tour
Want a crash course in the storied history of Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour? Book tickets for the Island Highlights Tour. This all-ages tour charts the changing face of Cockatoo Island. As you visit key landmarks from bygone eras, a knowledgeable 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, including convicts, wayward youths and dock workers.
Convict Prison Tour
Discover Cockatoo Island’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Convict Precinct with a 60-minute tour of the upper island. During the Convict Prison Tour, a knowledgeable 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.
Cockatoo Island audio tours
Choose from 3 immersive audio tours of Cockatoo Island! As you explore historic spaces and discover iconic landmarks, you'll hear the stories of those who once lived, worked or were imprisoned here. Want to hear the gritty tales of jail life? You'll enjoy the Cockatoo's Convicts audio tour. Keen to delve into the island's golden maritime era? Choose the How to Build a Ship audio tour. Looking for a crash course in the island's layered history? The Sandstone to Steel audio tour shares the key story beats. To begin one of these self-guided experiences, simply scan the QR code on Cockatoo Island's audio tour 'jump on' signs around the island!
Lower Island Tour (accessible)
The Lower Island Tour is an engaging 60-minute journey through Cockatoo Island’s storied history and an accessible sightseeing activity for less mobile visitors. As you explore the lower island, including the cathedral-like Turbine Shop, convict-built Fitzroy Dock and towering Powerhouse chimney, a knowledgeable guide will share stories and anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the island throughout the ages.
Shipyard Tales Tour (accessible)
One of the most popular attractions is the historic dockyard, which dates to Cockatoo Island’s turbulent convict era. Operational from 1857 to 1992, it contributed significantly to Australia's maritime affairs – before, during and after both world wars. On this tour, you’ll visit key landmarks with the guide – including the convict-built Fitzroy Dock, the cathedral-like Turbine Shop and Sutherland Dock – and learn how the dockyard evolved across the span of 135 years. But you won’t just hear about the ships and submarines built, converted or repaired here. No, we’ll also introduce you to the island’s iconic ‘iron giants’ and tell fun and thrilling tales! You’ll learn about a beloved budgie named Trevor, a ‘funny’ fossil discovery, a daring armed robbery and the unionists who fought not just for better worker rights… but the very fate of the dockyard. This accessible tour takes place exclusively on the lower island, making it suitable for visitors with varying levels of mobility.
Family tour: Our day at Cockatoo Island
Ready for a fun day out on Sydney Harbour? Journey through time and discover the incredible story of Cockatoo Island with their new family tour aimed at kids aged 6 to 10. Equipped with a colourful tour booklet – and guided by a series of pink cockatoo ground stickers – families will visit 8 stops across the lower and upper island. Along the way, you'll explore historic buildings, hear the First Nations story of Burriburri the whale, play a convict game and meet an ancient amphibian. There is plenty to do and see as you learn about the fascinating stories of the island. Ready to get started? Purchase the family tour at the Visitor Centre (open 10am to 4pm daily) for just $5 per booklet (includes a pencil and paper flags)! Designed for kids aged 6 to 10 years, with younger children able to participate with adult help. Available in English and Simplified Chinese – enquire at the Visitor Centre.
Curious Tales Family Tour
In the market for some good, old-fashioned fun… but with a dash of good-natured filth? Escape to Cockatoo Island for their new tour: Curious Tales Family Tour! As you and your kids explore the lower island with a knowledgeable guide, you'll laugh and gasp as they introduce you to a weird and wacky bunch of real-life characters and creatures. These include a gang of woolly bandits, a stray cat with a very big heart, and a pair of pranksters who caused a great stink! Guaranteed entertainment for oddballs of all ages!