COCKATOO ISLAND

Description

Essentials about Cockatoo Island in brief

Cockatoo Island is the largest and definitely the most interesting island in Sydney Harbor. It is located at the confluence of the Lane Cove River and the Parramatta River. The island has a very eventful history behind it and was used equally as a convict colony, prison, reformatory, handicraft and religious school for girls and shipyard and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its historical significance.

The history of Cockatoo Island

In the early years the island was called “Biloela”, after the Aboriginal name for the black cockatoo. From 1913 it was renamed Cockatoo Island. In 1839 a prison was built on the island, which was used until 1869. The convicts had to work hard in Sydney and created, for example, Circular Quay and excavated the huge Fitzroy dry dock on the island – Australia’s first dry dock. A second dock, Sutherland Dock, was built on the island in the late 19th century.

After convicts were moved to another facility in 1869, the prison buildings were used as a craft and religious school for girls. In 1870, shipbuilding began in the dry docks on Cockatoo Island. In 1913, the Australian government took over the island and made the dry dock the Royal Australian Navy’s naval dockyard. During World War I, the dry dock was used to build and repair warships. During World War II, the dock was the most important repair facility in the Southwest Pacific, with approximately 250 warships repaired and refitted.

The sights on Cockatoo Island

Due to its historical significance as a convict colony, bearing witness to the treatment, incarceration, and working and living conditions of convicts, Cockatoo Island was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. The island is also an interesting testament to the development of Australia’s shipbuilding and heavy industry since the mid-19th century. The surviving historic structures include convict quarters, a hospital, a canteen, military and officers’ quarters, overseas free settlers’ quarters, and the superintendent’s cottage. The power station, built in 1918, represents the largest collection of Australian electrical and hydraulic power and pumping equipment. Since 2005, the island has been used for various cultural and sporting activities and events.

Visiting Cockatoo Island

You can explore the island either on your own or as part of a guided tour. By the way, Cockatoo Island is the only island in Sydney Harbor where you are allowed to stay overnight. From camping to apartments to mansions, there are various accommodation options on the island.