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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

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Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour

September 24, 2012 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Cockatoo Island is a great place to explore.

Located in Sydney Harbour at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, it’s just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay.  Pete and I visited the Biennale exhibit there a couple of weeks ago, and were so blown away by the island itself that I felt it deserved a post of its own.

Sydney turned on her shiniest spring weather for our trip.  The free Biennale ferry took us past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge. We really do live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world…

The 18ha (44 acres) island operated as a penal colony in the mid-1800s, and as one of Australia’s largest and longest running shipyards from 1857 to 1991.  The view from the restored houses at the top of the cliffs is breathtaking…

The island was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2010…

The dock below was built by convicts in the 1800s…

The island is a huge seagull nesting site – I didn’t want to get too close with my iPhone camera to the dark coloured chicks, many of whom were nested on the ground in the care of their parents.  The sky was full of gulls, riding the winds…

Some of the old buildings are still standing, although many were demolished when the shipyard closed in 1991…

The island is dotted with heavy machinery from a previous era…

…and remnants of its penal colony past…

There are two tunnels cutting through the cliffs from one side of the island to the other.  We weren’t sure if the lighting in this one was utilitarian or an art installation…

Cockatoo Island is a fascinating landmark, and definitely worth a visit if you ever get a chance.  The ferry ride alone is worth the trip!

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Posted in Cool Things, Food & Friends, My Photos | Tagged Cockatoo Island, Opera House, Sydney Biennale, Sydney Harbour Bridge | 51 Comments

51 Responses

  1. on September 24, 2012 at 7:15 am My Kitchen Stories

    Fantastic photos Celia. I wish I had gone …. maybe next year. Take me with you. I’ve never been to Cockatoo Island. BTW that had to be an art installation or the electricians were crosseyed
    http://www.mykitchenstories.com.au


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Biennale won’t be for another two years, Tania, but we’ll definitely be going next time! Cockatoo Island is worth a visit even without the exhibition! :)


  2. on September 24, 2012 at 7:19 am Sophie33

    Thanks for the grand tour, I loved reading & watching your lovely post & pretty pics too! Very interesting too!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:37 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Sophie! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!


  3. on September 24, 2012 at 7:32 am hotlyspiced

    Beautiful images Celia. It’s school holidays now so I might take Alfie there one day. I have never been there but didn’t they use to film Water Rats there? Carl was in a few episodes of Water Rats and I’m sure that’s where he went for the filming. Such a great TV show – shouldn’t have been axed and replaced with US crime rubbish xx


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:38 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Charlie, it’s a fun day out. Have a look at their website – there’s a couple of places to get food on the Island:

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


  4. on September 24, 2012 at 8:02 am heidiannie

    Thanks, Celia! I do love these intros into your world! I saw a documentary on the black winged pelicans of Australia nesting in the interior by a salt lake made up of flood waters and while watching it I thought that I enjoy your pieces on Sydney every bit as much! You have a wonderful way of presenting your much loved city!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:39 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Heidi, I wish you could have been there, the sea air and all the floating gulls were amazing. As were all the art installations.. :)


  5. on September 24, 2012 at 8:34 am theclevercarrot

    You really do live in such a beautiful city Celia! Thank you for another fascinating tour. Enjoy the spring weather!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:39 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Emilie! It’s a lovely part of the world, and we’re very lucky to be based here!


  6. on September 24, 2012 at 8:44 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

    It’s such a beautiful view Celia! I might have to pop over there on my next visit.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:39 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, not a lot of food there, but it’s a lovely spot to explore!


  7. on September 24, 2012 at 10:22 am Nic@diningwithastud

    I loved Cockatoo Island. Visiting for Bienalle was my first time but its such a gorgeous spot. Having a glass of wine and staring out at the view is amazing


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:40 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Nic, wasn’t it spectacular? We talked about renting holiday accommodation there.


  8. on September 24, 2012 at 10:40 am Jane @ Shady Baker

    Beautiful Celia…I love the photos of the old machinery and buildings. Something else for us to do on our next trip to the big smoke :)


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, the old docks were amazing – history literally etched into the architecture. Lovely stuff!


  9. on September 24, 2012 at 12:05 pm Glenda

    Hi Celia – it is good to get ‘out and about’ isn”t it?


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Indeed it is, Glenda. :D


  10. on September 24, 2012 at 2:45 pm frances

    I had the best quiche I ever tasted on Cockatoo island!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh, that’s good to know – I’ll look out for it next time! :)


  11. on September 24, 2012 at 3:56 pm Sally

    I have never visited Australia – great insight to your surroundings Celia.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Glad you enjoyed it, Sally! x


  12. on September 24, 2012 at 4:46 pm Suelle

    You’re correct about Sydney being a beautiful city, but Cockatoo Island must be a reminder of it’s more difficult times – fascinating!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Suelle, Australia really has had an interesting history! :)


  13. on September 24, 2012 at 5:04 pm ChopinandMysaucepan

    Dear Celia,

    We attended a cocktail party at Cockatoo island and the view at night is just as stunning as it is in the day. You pics just reminds us what a beautiful city that is Sydney.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Chopinand, how did you get back? Did you catch a water taxi?


      • on September 26, 2012 at 9:43 am ChopinandMysaucepan

        Water taxis were pre-arranged for all the guests by the PR company.


        • on September 26, 2012 at 11:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

          That is very cool!


  14. on September 24, 2012 at 6:40 pm Anna

    Isn’t it amazing? We went too for the first time in July for the Biennale. I think the lights in the tunnel are an installation. DId you see the performance of the Japanese paper-cutting lady?!


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Anna, sadly she wasn’t there the day we went, we were sorry to have missed her!


  15. on September 24, 2012 at 7:10 pm thecompletecookbook

    Thank you for taking us a long for the trip Celia.
    :-) Mandy


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks for joining us, Mandy! :)


  16. on September 24, 2012 at 9:05 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never visited Cockatoo Island before! But thanks for the tour! :D


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s a nice day out, L! x


  17. on September 24, 2012 at 9:25 pm theintolerantchef

    I’ve never been to any of the Harbour islands, have to go on my to-do list. Hubby would love it all :)


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Becca, it’s worth tying it in with one of the events they hold on the island!


  18. on September 24, 2012 at 10:57 pm Melanie

    Such beautiful pictures of the water, city, and sky! Yes, Sydney does look like a beautiful place. That tunnel is very interesting. The island looks very rich in history, and would be a fun place to spend the day. I wish we could visit there some day.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Melanie, lots of walking and climbing on the island – lovely place to explore!


  19. on September 25, 2012 at 12:05 am Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    I really love Sydney Harbour. Every time I take a ferry I feel like I’m on holiday even for a few minutes. I’ve never been to Cockatoo Island but I definitely want to go.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Maureen, that’s a really good way to describe it, because that’s exactly how I feel every time I’m on a ferry! It’s like a mini-holiday!


  20. on September 25, 2012 at 12:13 am Tesney Ap

    Beautiful pics :) I wish I could be there :)


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Tes, you and your boys would love it! :)


  21. on September 25, 2012 at 5:48 am Manuela

    Lovely pictures. It looks like a beautiful place with a very interesting history. I have always found Australian history interesting. Surprising that some structures from another era are still standing and seem to be in good condition, and use.


    • on September 25, 2012 at 7:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Manuela, European settlers only arrived here a couple of hundred years ago, so many of the structures are relatively young. I read about castles in Europe that have been standing for hundreds of years and always find it absolutely amazing that they haven’t crumbled! :)


  22. on September 26, 2012 at 12:28 am niasunset

    Wonderful photographs dear Celia, Thank you, I did a nice travel at my desk… Love, nia


    • on September 26, 2012 at 11:01 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Nia! You’re always taking me on adventures, so it’s nice to be able to reciprocate! :)


  23. on September 26, 2012 at 10:14 am Norma Chang

    Thanks for the tour, I may not have the opportunity to visit Australia, but glad I am able to learn about the country through your post.


    • on September 26, 2012 at 11:02 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, thank you! That makes it all worthwhile! :)


  24. on September 26, 2012 at 2:28 pm bizzylizzycooks

    Sydney Harbour is so beautiful, Celia, thanks for sharing.


  25. on September 26, 2012 at 3:22 pm ChgoJohn

    Thanks, Celia, for the tour. Although I’ve been to Sydney back in the ’90s, I didn’t make it to Cockatoo Island. Looks like I missed out on a gem. Sydney and its harbor are just incredible! The views are truly awesome, no matter the angle from which you view it. I left Oz a life-long fan,


  26. on September 30, 2012 at 2:58 am Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

    On my bucket list…



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