Sydney Photo Gallery - Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island was once a shipbuilding and convict facility that was of-limits to the public. Today, it is a great day trip not only for its views of the skyline, but also to understand the island's rich and diverse history. In 1839, the island was chosen as a new penal colony to relieve overcrowded Norfolk Island.

Shipbuilding began here in 1870 and Cockatoo became a Commonwealth Naval Dockyard in 1913. During World War II, the island was the main ship repair facility in the southwest Pacific. Shipbuilding declined by the 1970s and the government started rehabilitating the site in the 1990s.

The island is divided into various precincts. The Industrial Precint features various workshops for the shipbuilding industry.

Cockatoo was Australia's first naval dockyard, which closed in 1991. The Docks Precinct consists of 2 docks - Fitzroy (145m) and Sutherland (212m), both of which were carved from the island's sandstone.

A long staircase brings visitors up to the Ship Design Precinct.

The Convict Precinct is built from sandstone quarried on the island by the convicts themselves. This Military Guardhouse housed the 56 British infantry soldiers who lived and worked on the island. From here, they could observe the prison block and fire through the slits. These hooks were used to hang the soliders' bags.

After the convict prison closed in 1869, the area became a school for girls, but reverted to a jail again in 1888. When the shipbuilding era arrived, the precinct turned into offices, air raid shelters, and a laboratory.

The Military Officers' Quarters is believed to be built in the 1850s. Originally 1-storey tall, additions were made over time but the residential use remained.

The Solitary Confinement Cells were filled in during the 1890s and only recently rediscovered.

The Historic Residence Precinct occupies the best part of the island, perched above everyone else and with views of the Harbour Bridge and skyline.

Camping facilities are available below the Convict and Historic Residence Precincts.

The Powerhouse powered the dockyard facilities. Too bad the interiors cannot be visited.

2 tunnels cross the island's terrain. The Dog Leg Tunnel was built to move workers and materials.

To re-use these photos or notify of errors, please email me. Thank you.

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