Cockatoo Island, camping (Theme Day: Rest, Sleep and Relaxation)

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, located at the junction of the Parramatta River and the Lane Cove River. It has been the site of a prison, reformatory, industrial school and shipyard. The heavy industry ceased in 1992 when the shipyard closed and ten years later it became a major venue for art exhibitions and festivals. Visitors can stay at this camping site along the foreshore.
Linked to: Theme Day, All Seasons.

Balmain, sunset

A view of the sunset behind Rozelle and Cockatoo Island from a pontoon on the Parramatta River, in the inner west suburb of Balmain.

Linked to: Skywatch Friday. 

Parramatta River, Cockatoo Island

A sunset view across the Parramatta River towards Drummoyne and Cockatoo Island, from the inner west suburb of Balmain.

Linked to: Skywatch Friday.

Balmain, pontoon

A sunset view of a pontoon on the Parramatta River, in the inner west suburb of Balmain. The crane and chimney stack in the distance are on Cockatoo Island.

Linked to: Skywatch Friday.

Drummoyne, Parramatta River

Looking across the Parramatta River towards Cockatoo Island and North Sydney from the Drummoyne Sailing Club beside Salton Reserve, in the inner west suburb of Drummoyne.

Linked to: Weekend Reflections, All Seasons.

Drummoyne, Parramatta River

Looking across the Parramatta River towards Spectacle Island and Cockatoo Island from Queen Victoria Reserve, in the inner west suburb of Drummoyne.

Linked to: Wordless Wednesday, My Corner of the World, Over the Moon.

Drummoyne, Parramatta River

Looking across the Parramatta River towards Cockatoo Island and the Sydney skyline from Rea Reserve, in the inner west suburb of Drummoyne.

Linked to: Weekend Reflections, All Seasons.

Cockatoo Island, water tower

This water tower from the industrial past of Cockatoo Island still dominates the skyline. The concrete tower is the tallest of three that provided water to the island. For a distant view of how it dominates the skyline of the island, there's a shot here from across the harbour.

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Cockatoo Island, main entrance

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour, located at the junction of the Parramatta River and the Lane Cove River. This is the main entrance from the ferry wharf, which sits alongside the administrative building. The island was originally heavily timbered in red gums which attracted many sulphur-crested cockatoos.  Cockatoo Island has been the site of a prison, reformatory, industrial school and shipyard. The heavy industry ceased in 1992 when the shipyard closed and ten years later it became a major venue for art exhibitions and festivals.

Linked to: Signs, Signs

Cockatoo Island, Sutherland Dock, crane

This crane is on Cockatoo Island which has a long history of ship repair and shipbuilding activities. Sutherland Dock was built with free labour between 1882 and 1890. Nearby Fitzroy Dock was built using convict labour between 1847 and 1857. The shipyard closed in 1992 and the island is now being revitalised as a public attraction on Sydney Harbour.

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Cockatoo Island, cranes

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. From 1839 it was a penal establishment with prison barracks, a military guardhouse and official residences built by convicts. The island was used for ship repair and shipbuilding activities after the first dry dock was completed by convicts in 1857. It became Australia's biggest shipbuilding and dockyard facility in the 20th century until maritime industrial activity ceased in 1992. These days, Cockatoo Island is a tourist attraction and a cultural events venue for art exhibitions and music festivals.

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Woolwich, pontoon

This bridge leading to a small pontoon on the Parramatta River is located at the marina at the end of Margaret Street, in the lower north shore suburb of Woolwich. Cockatoo Island can be seen in the near distance while the Sydney skyline is in the far distance towards the left.

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Cockatoo Island, stack

This chimney stack from the industrial past of Cockatoo Island still dominates the skyline. The coal fired powerhouse and brick chimney stack were built in 1918, to provide electricity for the island. For a distant view of how it dominates the skyline of the island, there's a shot here from across the harbour.

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Cockatoo Island, houses

These historic houses that sit high on the cliff on Cockatoo Island were built in the Federation architectural style. The houses were once home to the medical officer and engineering manager when the island was a busy shipyard. They are available as holiday accommodation these days. 

Cockatoo Island, Sutherland Dock

Cockatoo Island has a long history of ship repair and shipbuilding activities. Sutherland Dock was built with free labour between 1882 and 1890. Nearby Fitzroy Dock was built using convict labour between 1847 and 1857. The shipyard closed in 1992 and the island is now being revitalised as a public attraction on Sydney Harbour including a crane on the dock which can be seen here.
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Cockatoo Island, Biennale, art

The former Turbine Hall at Cockatoo Island provided a spectacular setting for the art work during the 17th Biennale of Sydney. The works shown here by artist Rohan Wealleans are 'He with Glands of Wasp' (2009), 'He of 109 Names and One Tusk' (2009) and 'Janicot Vader' (2009). They really look great bathed in natural light and an industrial backdrop.

Linked to: My World Tuesday

Cockatoo Island, Biennale, art

Cockatoo Island featured 120 works by 56 artists during the 17th Biennale of Sydney. Being a former industrial site, the island provides some interesting surroundings for the art work such as this one, Kasbah created by Kader Attia. This art work is made from rooftop materials collected from improvised dwellings and shanty towns on the fringes of cities across the world, complete with television antennas and satellite dishes. Visitors were invited to walk along an uneven path across them.

Cockatoo Island, walkway

This walkway along the northern shore of Cockatoo Island is punctuated by trees and benches. The rusty steel benches are a reminder of the shipbuilding history of Cockatoo Island and provide views of the Parramatta River and the nearby northern suburb of Woolwich.

Linked to: Scenic Sunday

Cockatoo Island, Fitzroy Dock

Cockatoo Island has a long history of ship repair and shipbuilding activities. Fitzroy Dock was the first dry dock, built using convict labour between 1847 and 1857. Shipbuilding began on the island in 1870 with the construction of dredges, barges and tugs. Nearby Sutherland Dock was built with free labour between 1882 and 1890. In 1913, Cockatoo Island became the naval dockyard of the Royal Australian Navy and grew to become Australia's biggest shipbuilding and dockyard facility. The shipyard closed in 1992 but many of the workshops, docks and equipment were retained.

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Cockatoo Island, cranes

Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. In 1839 it was chosen as the site of a new penal establishment and convicts built prison barracks, a military guardhouse and official residences. The island was used for the colony's ship repair and shipbuilding activities after the first dry dock was completed by convicts in 1857. It became Australia's biggest shipbuilding and dockyard facility in the 20th century. The island's maritime industrial activity ceased in 1992 but many of the workshops and equipment have been retained as an attraction. More cranes can be seen here.

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