We made our one-day trip to Cookatoo Island last weekend. As we only got one free day, we were hesitating to choose between having a picnic in a wild place or exploring a historic site. I ended up deciding to take a tour to discover about a largest historical island right in the middle of Sydney Harbour which was proclaimed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2010. The trip wasn't as boring as I thought, it was actually one of the most interesting historical day trips I've ever taken.
We took the public ferry to get to Cookatoo Island. That's probably the easiest way, which costs around $6. We got off the train at Wynyard station when it was still early for the next ferry so we decided to just stroll around the harbour and have some brunch at Toastie Smith. This Singaporean style toastie is absolutely delicious and perfect to start a long day. There are many people who talk about this small, busy store, but this is my first time trying their tasty sandwich and I must say that it's really good. If you are living around the area, I highly recommend you come there and try their food.
Our ferry to Cockatoo Island departed at around 10am. The NSW Transport operates the ferries to this island every 30 minutes so even that you plan your trip on the weekday, you still can make it. That was the 9 minute ferry ride from Barangaroo Wharf. But on the way back, we took the longer ride (30 minutes) headed to Circular Quay Wharf which I highly recommend you should take because you're gonna have the opportunity to approach and go under the Harbour Bridge, one of the best Sydney tourist attractions. And also get to see the scenic river.
There's free entrance to Cockatoo Island so everyone can come and visit. They opened the glamp site on the island which attracts many campers every year. This is considered an ideal spot for watching Sydney New Year Eve's firework. As you may know, Sydney is one of the best place having firework show in the world which attracts a lot of international tourists every year.
Currently, there is only one cafe' on the island where you can grab some drinks and light food. The management team has put proposal to transform Cockatoo Island into an art and culture district. It means there will be more retail, dining, art and educational places in the future, making it a must-see destination for the tourists.
Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour with its original size was 12.9 hectares and has been extended to 17.9 hectares as a result of extensive quarrying.
On the historical site, Cockatoo Island was primarily used as a place of secondary punishment for convicts who had reoffended in the colonies between 1839 and 1869. From 1871 to 1888, the prison barracks was turned into an industrial school for girls and a separate reformatory for convicted young girls under 16. It's explained why this island is known in the Dharug language as Wareamah, meaning ‘women’s land’.
Between 1857 and 1991, it was a major dockyard and repair facility, considered one of Australia's biggest shipyards during World War II. In 1871, a ship docked at Cockatoo Island for the purpose of training homeless or orphaned boys in seamanship. The more trustworthy boys later received training in shipbuilding and repair at dockyard workshops. In 1879, the girls' reformatory was relocated to Watsons Bay, and the industrial school for girls closed in 1888.
After 1906, the prison was closed and prisoners were transferred to Long Bay Gaol. They then completely used free labours. With the rise in international shipping, dockyards and shipbuilding activities on the island expanded rapidly.
Although some large workshops, slipways, wharves, homes, and other buildings still remain, most were destroyed after Cockatoo Island was closed for dockyard activities in 1991.
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This was just a walk through the history of the island. Cockatoo Island had contributed significantly to Australia's naval and maritime history, play an important role during World War II. Today, the management unit is trying to build Cockatoo into a tourist destination not to be missed when coming to Sydney. If you get a chance to come to Sydney, don't forget to put this island into your travel bucket list.
I hope you enjoy today's post. Have a good weekend!!!