Glamping on Cockatoo Island
Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove River, Cockatoo Island is the largest island on Sydney Harbour.
Closed to the public for over a century, the island is now open for visitors to come and experience this historically important location. We recently went on a glamping adventure on the island to explore its convict, shipbuilding and industrial history.
Glamping is a more glamorous version of camping where all the hard work is done for you. So there’s no need to bring a tent when visiting as one will already be set-up for you upon arrival with bedding, towels, sun lounges, esky, lantern, and a beautiful view of the harbour. All glampers are also given access to hot showers and a communal camp kitchen with BBQs, fridges, microwaves and a boiling water system. Very ‘glam’ indeed.
To get there, you can catch the ferry from Circular Quay and 20 minutes later, you’ll find yourself checking-in at the visitor centre. Check-in is at 2pm and check-out at 10am – it’s kind of like staying at a hotel without some of the usual luxuries. For example, if you’re planning on cooking, you’ll need to bring your own cooking utensils, cutlery and plates. You can either bring your own food or pre-order a BBQ & Breakfast pack from Societe Overboard – one of only two restaurant-café‘s on the island. They generally close at 5pm so bringing your own dinner is highly recommended.
To make your experience as ‘glam’ as possible, you can also hire whatever else you need. You can even book an audio tour so you can listen to information about each of the attractions you visit. Some of the attractions we passed on our journey included the shipyard, convict barracks, military guardhouse, ship design precinct, the Superintendent’s Cottage, and other historical workshops. There are also some breathtaking 360-degree views of the harbour so get those cameras ready!
Glamping rates for two people on the waterfront start at $150 per night (Monday to Thursday) and $175 per night (Friday to Sunday) while two-bedroom Glamping for four people on the waterfront start at $310 per night (Monday to Thursday) and $360 per night (Friday to Sunday).
For a relaxing camping adventure at one of Sydney’s ultimate cultural landmarks, get yourself over to Cockatoo Island.
