{"id":42031,"date":"2016-04-20T09:39:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T23:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=42031"},"modified":"2018-05-14T06:14:43","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T20:14:43","slug":"24-hours-on-cockatoo-island-the-ultimate-sydney-island-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/24-hours-on-cockatoo-island-the-ultimate-sydney-island-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"24 hours on Cockatoo Island, The Ultimate Sydney Island Adventure."},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Planning a Sydney<\/a> staycation? Forget a hotel in the city, you absolutely MUST spend a night or two at the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Cockatoo Island<\/a>, just a quick ferry ride from the CBD<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Explore the historical landmarks by day, enjoy pizza and beers at the Island Bar and then pull up stumps and experience a night in the urban waterfront campground or one of the refurbished holiday homes.<\/p>\n

I actually grew up in Hunters Hill, one of the suburbs adjacent to Cockatoo Island<\/a> but until 2007 it lay dormant after a century of convict and ship building. After extensive renovations and rehabilitations, the island was opened to the public and has become a weekend playground for many.<\/p>\n

Armed with a camera and a wide-brim hat, my travel buddy and I board a ship and hit the high seas in search of the island<\/a>.\u00a0(Read: We boarded a ferry at Woolwich for the three minute ride over to the Island and the sea was far from high).<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

Upon arrival we check in at reception, buy ourselves a BBQ pack for $35 (which includes bacon rashers, sausages, eggs, bread rolls, butter and oil, sauces and salt and pepper) and are taken to our home for the night\u00a0by golf cart.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

Now I haven\u2019t had the best experiences camping, so I play it safe and book us into one of the island\u2019s self-contained accommodations.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n\"Cockatoo\n\"Cockatoo\n

Located on the top of the island, the two-bedroom Garden Apartment<\/a> sits among the other private residences and radiates with charm. Complete with modern amenities, a large entertaining deck and an enclosed garden, it\u2019s quaint, bright and very homely.<\/p>\n

We drop off our belongings, grab our cameras and explore every inch of the island\u2019s 18 hectares. We wonder through the convict and ship design precincts, snap a million photos in the industrial yards, venture into underground tunnels and even play a quick game of street-ball on the forecourt.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n\"Cockatoo\n\"Cockatoo\n

After a coffee break at Societe Overboard<\/a>, one of the Island\u2019s three food outlets, we check out the urban waterfront campground.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

 <\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

At the base of the island and near all the main amenities are dozens of pre-erected tents, complete with camping beds, linen, sun lounges, an esky and a lantern. These tents are far from ordinary and the view from each is spectacular. Come with a friend and hire a 3m x 3m tent for $150-$175 per night or bring the kids and park yourself in one of the two-bedroom tents available for $310-$360 per night.\u00a0Now this, my friends, is what you call glamping and I can\u2019t wait to go back and try it.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

Have your own tent? Great! The camp site also includes space for visitors to bring their own. The 4m x 4m spaces go for around $50 per night.<\/p>\n

As the sun goes down over Cockatoo Island<\/a> we sit on the back deck, enjoy the BBQ pack and watch the island\u2019s permanent residents (and namesake) fly between all the old structures.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

The peace and quiet means and you could be forgiven for thinking you\u2019re on holidays in some far away land.<\/p>\n

There is something for everyone at Cockatoo island<\/a> and a visit should be right up the top of your to-do list. Whether you\u2019re just popping by for the day or planning to sleep under the stars, this is a guaranteed adventure and there\u2019s nothing else like it in Sydney<\/a>.<\/p>\n\"Cockatoo\n

For more info or to book a stay, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n

For More Information:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Transport: www.transportnsw.info<\/a><\/p>\n