Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, and is only a short ferry trip from Circular Quay. An informative booklet was available from the visitors centre near the wharf, with suggested self-guided tour itineraries.

The island was called Waremah by the Eora Aboriginal people. It is recognised as one of  'the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts'. Cockatoo Island became the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard in 1913 and remained a naval dockyard until 1992.

Link to the 'Turbine Shop' sign and extra photos

Inside the huge 'Turbine Shop'

One of the oldest surviving steam cranes in Australia (below) was restored by volunteers.

Steam Crane, Cockatoo Is.

The last time I visited Cockatoo Island was to see the Biennale of Sydney (see my earlier post). Australia's largest contemporary visual arts event, Biennale of Sydney, will be held 27 June – 16 September 2012.

Grey Sky Sydney Excursion

As it was threatening to rain we decided to visit the city and see some of the ‘Bienhale’artworks (which were on display until the end of July).

                      We first visited the Museum of Contempory Art at Circular Quay.

           U.S. artist Roxy Paine's 'Neuron' is based on "dendrites and synapses" is outside the MCA

Leaving the MLC we saw there was a sponsored free ferry running from the western side of Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island which is playing host to many of the Bienhale exhibits.The island in Sydney Harbour, west of the Harbour Bridge, was a convict prison and former shipyard.

                                     Many of the old buildings house the art displays.

The free ferry service was understandably quite popular and the 12 noon ferry we caught was almost full. It is also possible to pay to travel by Sydney Ferries. 
 

Circular Quay to Parramatta by RiverCat

This excursion is on Sydney Ferries RiverCat  catamaran (express service), which takes you under the Sydney Harbour and Gladesville bridges, on a pleasant 20Km cruise from Sydney's Circular Quay to Parramatta City.

The vessels can hold over 200 people, mostly in the cabin area, but they can get crowded, so we chose a weekday for this outing. We were fortunate that we were able to find a spot outside at the bow, as it’s the best spot if the weather is suitable.

The cruise takes about an hour to reach the wharf at Parramatta. The Parramatta River is tidal to the Parramatta wharf and some services don’t run because of low tides, check for affected services before you travel.

From the wharf (photo left) you can catch a free shuttle bus around Parramatta (the bus operates frequently Monday to Saturday). I suggest you catch the bus to Macquarie Street West (stop3), then walk to Parramatta Park and up the hill to Old Government house, Australia's oldest public building. It was the country residence of the first ten Governors of the colony and primary residence of Governor Lauchlan Macquarie. It has a restaurant/café on the site. (See ‘Walk Parramatta Map’ download, page 2).
The previous stop at “Westfield”, has a good basement food court and a connecting tunnel to Parramatta Station to return to the city by train.

Tip: If you are traveling from Parramatta, leave after the morning commuters. 

More photos near Parramatta ferry wharf