Sydney Harbour Islands

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.