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!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
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
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! :)
Thanks for the grand tour, I loved reading & watching your lovely post & pretty pics too! Very interesting too!
Thanks Sophie! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it!
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
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/
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!
Heidi, I wish you could have been there, the sea air and all the floating gulls were amazing. As were all the art installations.. :)
You really do live in such a beautiful city Celia! Thank you for another fascinating tour. Enjoy the spring weather!
Thanks Emilie! It’s a lovely part of the world, and we’re very lucky to be based here!
It’s such a beautiful view Celia! I might have to pop over there on my next visit.
Claire, not a lot of food there, but it’s a lovely spot to explore!
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
Nic, wasn’t it spectacular? We talked about renting holiday accommodation there.
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 :)
Jane, the old docks were amazing – history literally etched into the architecture. Lovely stuff!
Hi Celia – it is good to get ‘out and about’ isn”t it?
Indeed it is, Glenda. :D
I had the best quiche I ever tasted on Cockatoo island!
Oh, that’s good to know – I’ll look out for it next time! :)
I have never visited Australia – great insight to your surroundings Celia.
Glad you enjoyed it, Sally! x
You’re correct about Sydney being a beautiful city, but Cockatoo Island must be a reminder of it’s more difficult times – fascinating!
Suelle, Australia really has had an interesting history! :)
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.
Chopinand, how did you get back? Did you catch a water taxi?
Water taxis were pre-arranged for all the guests by the PR company.
That is very cool!
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?!
Anna, sadly she wasn’t there the day we went, we were sorry to have missed her!
Thank you for taking us a long for the trip Celia.
:-) Mandy
Thanks for joining us, Mandy! :)
I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never visited Cockatoo Island before! But thanks for the tour! :D
It’s a nice day out, L! x
I’ve never been to any of the Harbour islands, have to go on my to-do list. Hubby would love it all :)
Becca, it’s worth tying it in with one of the events they hold on the island!
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.
Melanie, lots of walking and climbing on the island – lovely place to explore!
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.
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!
Beautiful pics :) I wish I could be there :)
Tes, you and your boys would love it! :)
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.
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! :)
Wonderful photographs dear Celia, Thank you, I did a nice travel at my desk… Love, nia
Thanks Nia! You’re always taking me on adventures, so it’s nice to be able to reciprocate! :)
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.
Norma, thank you! That makes it all worthwhile! :)
Sydney Harbour is so beautiful, Celia, thanks for sharing.
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,
On my bucket list…