Group tour requests

Cost: $35 per adult, $22 per concession, $20 per child (6 to 16 years), Free for kids 5 years and under (with a paying adult) | Duration: 1 hour

During the Convict Prison Tour, our guide will lead you through the turbulent history of the island's former penal establishment, stopping at iconic landmarks including the Mess Hall, Barracks, Guardhouse, Military Officers Quarters and Solitary Confinement Cells. 

• First Nations peoples: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Site conditions: This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters due to uneven surfaces and the requirement to climb stairs and ascend rises.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes and wet weather clothing (if needed).

Cost: $35 per adult, $22 per concession, $20 per child (6 to 16 years), Free for kids 5 years and under (with a paying adult) | Duration: 1 hour

This all-ages tour charts the changing face of Cockatoo Island. As you visit key landmarks from bygone eras, our guide will reveal how they fit into the island’s historical narrative. They will also share anecdotes about a colourful cast of real-life characters, including convicts, wayward youths and dock workers. 

• First Nations peoples: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Site conditions: This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters due to uneven surfaces and the requirement to climb stairs and ascend rises.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes and wet weather clothing (if needed).

Cost: $35 per adult, $22 per concession, $20 per child (6 to 16 years), Free for kids 5 years and under (with a paying adult) | Duration: 1 hour

As you explore the lower island, including the cathedral-like Turbine Shop, convict-built Fitzroy Dock and towering Powerhouse chimney, our knowledgeable guide will share stories and anecdotes that paint a vivid picture of the island throughout the ages.

• First Nations peoples: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Site conditions: This tour is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes and wet weather clothing (if needed).

Cost: $35 per adult, $22 per concession, $20 per child (6 to 16 years), Free for kids 5 years and under (with a paying adult) | Duration: 1 hour

Visit key landmarks – including the convict-built Fitzroy Dock, the cathedral-like Turbine Shop and Sutherland Dock – and learn how the dockyard evolved across the span of 135 years.

• First Nations peoples: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Site conditions: This tour is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes and wet weather clothing (if needed).

Cost: $15 per adult, $11 per concession | Duration: 90 minutes 

During our 90 minute Tunnels and Gunners Tour, an experienced volunteer guide will lead you through 2 sets of demilitarised fortifications set within coastal bushland, including tunnels off limits to the general public. 

• Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.

• Site conditions: This tour includes steep stairs and underground tunnels and some uneven surfaces, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required. You must comply with all directions of the Guides, Rangers and Security. Although this is an all-ages tour, children must be able to walk and negotiate stairs independently due to the requirement to traverse steep and narrow staircases. Further, our safety requirements prevent ticketholders from carrying children in carriers or baby capsules on this tour.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed).  This tour has high touch points including hand rails and includes entry into confined spaces. As such, we recommend providing own hand sanitiser and wearing a face mask.
  
  
  

Cost: $15 per adult, $11 per concession | Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will marvel at heritage gun emplacements, once capable of firing 26.4km, and descend into the 200-metre-long military tunnel complex. Finally, our guide will demystify an underground bunker once shrouded in secrecy: The Plotting Room. 

• Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Further, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.

• Site conditions: This tour involves underground tunnels, a steep incline and some uneven surfaces, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required. Although this is an all-ages tour, children must be able to walk and negotiate stairs independently due to the requirement to traverse steep and narrow staircases. Further, our safety requirements prevent ticketholders from carrying children in carriers or baby capsules on this tour.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). Please provide your own torch for the tunnels (phone torch is adequate). Please note: This tour has high touch points including hand rails and includes entry into confined spaces. As such, we recommend providing own hand sanitiser and wearing a face mask.

Cost: $15 per adult, $11 per concession | Duration: 60 mins

During this 60-minute tour, a knowledgeable guide will share stories of those who succumbed to the ravages of small pox, the plague and other epidemics. Attendees will also experience the natural beauty of this final resting place, including unspoiled views of Sydney Harbour. 

• Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

• First Nations disclaimer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are advised that the tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased people.

• Conditions: A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required on this tour. The tour includes uneven surfaces and bush tracks and is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters or prams . You must comply with all directions of the Guides, Rangers and Security.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, a sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). Long pants recommended.

Cost: $11 per adult, $8 per concession | Duration: 40 mins

Get a taste for North Head Sanctuary in Manly – and explore a Second World War era structure off limits to general visitors – on this bite-sized tour, ideal for new visitors including families!

• Content warning: Although this is an all-ages tour, people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

• First Nations disclaimer: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour may contain stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Conditions: This tour includes short steep sections, a rough surface, and numerous steps. Following rain, water may have accumulated on parts of the track leading to uneven terrain. This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters or prams. A moderate level of fitness and mobility is required.

• What to bring: Enclosed, suitable walking shoes (preferably with ankle support), a water bottle, sunhat and wet weather gear (if needed). 

Cost: $35 per adult, $22 per concession, $20 per child (6 to 16 years), Free for kids 5 years and under (with a paying adult) | Duration: 60 mins 

During this 60-minute tour you will have the opportunity to explore a historic destination that was off-limits to the public for 150+ years! Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the lower and upper levels of Sub Base Platypus, including the Torpedo Factory Precinct.

• First Nations disclaimer: Our First Nations community are advised that this tour contains stories (and may contain images and/or visuals) of deceased persons.

• Age restriction: This tour is suitable for people of all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Site conditions: This tour is suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams. Access to Level 3 is via High Street or the lift on Platypus Lane. Light walking is required.

• What to bring: Suitable walking shoes, wet weather clothing (if needed) and a reusable water bottle (can be refilled at our water fountain on High Street).