Sights · Our pick in Sydney
Cockatoo Island (Wareamah)
UNESCO convict site
A former convict gaol and shipyard in the harbour, reached by ferry; camping and heritage stays.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © MDRX · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © MDRX · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 2
Our take
- By ferry
- The turbine hall
- Address
- Sydney Harbour, Sydney
- Nearest station
- Cockatoo Island
250 m · 3 min walk
More distances - Website
- cockatooisland.gov.au
About Cockatoo Island (Wareamah)
Cockatoo Island, Wareamah, is a former convict gaol and shipyard in the heart of Sydney Harbour; its convict site is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Ferries call at the island; it has cafés, tours, camping and heritage accommodation (cockatooisland.gov.au).
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) before you go.
Last checked: November 2026 How we choose
Own or manage Cockatoo Island (Wareamah)? Send us your photos & logo
What’s nearby
Distances from Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations and wharves
- Cockatoo IslandFerry250 m3 min walk
- Clarke Road WharfFerry750 m9 min walk
- Balmain WestFerry900 m11 min walk
Key sights
- Darling Harbour3.4 kmWalk 42 minCycle 17 minCar or taxi 18 min
- Harbour Bridge3.6 kmWalk 45 minCycle 18 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Queen Victoria Building4.1 kmCycle 21 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Hyde Park Barracks4.5 kmCycle 22 minCar or taxi 21 min
- Royal Botanic Garden4.8 kmCycle 24 minCar or taxi 22 min
- Sydney Opera House8.6 kmCycle 43 minCar or taxi 34 min
- Bondi Beach10 kmCar or taxi 39 min
- Sydney Airport11 kmCar or taxi 42 min
Main stations and the Quay
- Wynyard Station3.7 kmCycle 19 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Circular Quay3.9 kmCycle 19 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Central Station5.1 kmCycle 26 minCar or taxi 23 min
Location
The map comes from Google Maps, which sets its own cookies once it loads.
Read next
ParksSydney Harbour National ParkThe harbour’s headlands and islands: Nielsen Park, Bradleys Head, South Head and North Head.
SightsSydney Tower EyeThe observation deck 250 metres above the city, and SKYWALK at 268 metres.
SightsSydney ObservatoryThe 1858 observatory on Observatory Hill, part of the Powerhouse; open Thursday–Sunday.