Sydney Harbour Islands
Must do
Explore Sydney Harbour islands
Dotted around the dazzling Sydney Harbour National Park, the Sydney Harbour Islands offer sublime scenery and a unique historical journey.
Island hopping on Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour Islands - Fort Denison, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Goat and Cockatoo - are amongst Sydney's most popular natural attractions. Catch one of the regular ferry services from Circular Quay during summer and take in the sparkling scenery.
The largest of the harbour islands, Cockatoo Island, offers guided tours, activities and overnight camping. Book a tour on Goat Island to learn about Sydney's colonial and Aboriginal history or opt for a night-time tour revealing its colourful past. Take lunch in the middle of the Harbour at Fort Denison, which combines stunning views with colonial history. Accessible by ferry or water taxi, it's open for picnics or lunch at the cafe that's open daily from 11.30am to 3.45pm.
Matilda's Shark Island Ferry departs daily from Circular Quay. If you're looking for things to do with the kids in Sydney, pack a picnic and enjoy a day on a secret island.
For New Year's Eve with epic views of Sydney's famous fireworks, secure a spot on Cockatoo, Shark, Clark or Goat islands, which are open to a limited number of visitors.
Sydney Harbour Island tours
Learn more about the history of Sydney's Harbour Islands by booking guided Sydney tours. Cockatoo Island's walking tours unveil the secrets of its convict and maritime past with colourful tales of its villains. Or grab an audio tour from the visitors centre. Ranger-led tours at Fort Denison run up to three times daily. Delve into the island's past, see the Martello Tower and visit the colonial museum. Goat Island's Heritage Tour takes in the Queen's Gunpowder Magazine built by convicts.
Camp out at Cockatoo Island
The Island Bar on Cockatoo Island has opened again for summer. Sip cocktails, share grazing plates and take in the amazing views. To linger longer, camping and glamping is available for overnight stays.
Catch a ferry on Sydney Harbour
With Sydney Harbour sparkling in all its glory, Summer is the best time for island hopping. Sydney Ferries operate daily services from Circular Quay and other inner harbour wharfs, charter a boat or grab a water taxi.
Picnic on Sydney Harbour Islands
For a fun family day out, pack a picnic and head to one of Sydney's Harbour Islands. Shark Island offers shaded areas and a safe wading beach while Goat and Cockatoo Islands' picnic spots deliver sensational views.
Sydney Harbour Islands in NSW
Sydney Harbour islands – Fort Denison, Shark, Clark, Rodd, Goat and Cockatoo – have great cultural and historical significance. All are easily accessed from the Sydney city. Some of the sites resonate with Aboriginal history, while others reflect a European past with convict-built structures and old forts. Cockatoo Island is one of 11 Australian Convict Sites that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Groups of 25 or more people can now explore Goat Island; Sydney Harbour National Park’s largest. Three tour options offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the Aboriginal, convict, colonial and maritime history of the island. Participants can opt for extra time and picnic on the island. Group tours can be organised any weekday between 10am and 3pm and the cost includes return ferry transfers from Circular Quay.
Serviced by Sydney Ferries, Cockatoo Island offers overnight camping. Visitors awake to million-dollar harbour views; sip billy tea in the shade of ancient Port Jackson fig trees, wave at ferries heading past and look at old industrial heritage, including prison buildings nominated for World Heritage listing.
Matilda Cruises and Captain Cook operate ferry services to Fort Denison, where you can dine in the Fort Denison Marquee café in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Captain Cook Cruises also runs a Shark Island Express Ferry departing about every 45 minutes from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay. Other islands can be visited by private or hired craft or by yacht, a superb way to get there.
-
Rodd Island Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Interested in somewhere different to hold a family picnic? Or looking for a venue to hold a wedding or event?The half hectare Rodd Island in the water...
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov- Additional Information
- View details
-
Fort Denison
Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Located in Sydney Harbour, Fort Denison, also known as "Pinchgut", is one of Sydney's historic landmarks. When the First Fleet arrived in 1788, Fort...
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov- Additional Information
- View details
-
Shark Island
Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Shark Island offers a picnic experience that's a little bit different! The island received its name because of its shape and not its wildlife. One ki...
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov- Additional Information
- View details
-
Bare Island
Sydney East, Sydney, Surrounds
In 1885 concerned British colonists thought an invasion from Russians was imminent. Bare Island Fort was built to protect "Sydney's back door"- Botany...
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov- Additional Information
- View details
-
Goat Island
Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Goat Island, west of the Harbour Bridge, was once the fledgling colony's gunpowder store and the source of the sandstone used in some of Sydney's fine...
www.environment.nsw.gov.a- Additional Information
- View details
-
Cockatoo Island
Sydney City, Sydney, Sydney Harbour
Recently added to the World Heritage List as part of 11 convict sites, Cockatoo Island is Sydney's largest island, located by ferry from Circular Quay...
www.cockatooisland.gov.au- Additional Information
- View details
sydney_sider: Picture perfect #sydney http://t.co/FKJjqCHF
Thu, 24 May 2012sydney_sider: Capture a second in Sydney with your camera and share it with us. #Sydney
Thu, 24 May 2012Escapes newsletter