Historic Places To Visit Around Sydney: Cockatoo Island, Sydney, NSW

Arriving at Cockatoo Island, Sydney, NSW

Cockatoo Island is a short ferry trip from Sydney’s CBD.

Before Europeans arrived, Cockatoo Island ( Wa-rea-mah) may have been used by Aboriginal people.

From 1839 to 1869, the isalnd became a gaol where convicts suffered brutal conditions and punishing work.

Governor Gipps, in 1839, due to uncertain grain supplies, began silo construction on the Island.

The site has the remains of an underground isolation cell for convict punishment.

Convict transportation to New South Wales ended in 1840.

Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 - 1843), Tuesday 5 October 1841

Biloela House, was built c.1841 as a superintendent's residence, designed by Colonel George Barney.

New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), Friday 5 October 1855

The Fitzroy Dock was built to service Royal Navy ships on the island and completed in 1857.

In 1863, Frederick Ward, a bushranger, alias "Captain Thunderbolt", sentenced to ten years' hard labour on the island for moving stolen horses, managed to swim to shore and head north.

In 1869, prisoners were transferred to Darlinghurst Gaol.

From 1871, the prison building became an industrial school for girls and a reformatory. After the girls left in 1888, the buildings became a prison again until about 1909.

Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954), Thursday 27 January 1898

Following Federation, in 1913, Cockatoo Island became the Commonwealth Dockyard.

A underground tunnel was built during WWI to move workers and materials from one side of the island to the other.

The Yarra is the first warship built at CockatooIsland since the seaplane-carrier Albatross,and is part of the Commonwealth Government's programme for the strengthening of the Royal Australian Navy. Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 3 April 1935

During World War II, Cockatoo Island's dockyard played a significant role in ship repair.

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33) in a drydock at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, NSW, circa in late December 1942, while under repair for torpedo damage received in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942.

After WWII, the dockyard (now known as Vickers) also introduced submarine facilities.

Cockatoo Island, NSW, Building, lighting and engineering. (December 24, 1953)

Cockatoo Island closed as a dockyard in 1991.

The island is a 10-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay.

Accomodation on the island includes self-contained houses, apartments, and camping grounds.

The movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine was filmed on the island in 2008.

The island is used as a venue for private events.

Cockatoo Island is open daily, and there is no admission charge.

Visitors can have picnics, barbecues, visit the cafe, walk about, and take an audio or guided tour.

Sydney Ferries services Cockatoo Island on its Woolwich/Balmain ferry route and Parramatta RiverCat route.