Tour of Cockatoo Island’s Recent and Older Archaeological Discoveries

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust have organised a tour of archaeological discoveries on Cockatoo Island. Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, Cockatoo Island is a former imperial prison, industrial school, reformatory and goal. It is also the site of one of Australia's biggest shipyards during the twentieth century. The first of its two dry docks was built by convicts and was completed in 1857. The island's maritime industrial activity ceased in 1992.

Join Mike Hincks from Casey and Lowe Pty Ltd who has been involved in exposing convict and colonial-period remains on Cockatoo Island. Sites include the Convict Courtyard, Guardhouse, Mess Hall and Barracks, Solitary cells and Kitchen, Free Overseer’s Quarters, Grain Silos, Former Lumber Yard (Building 13) and former Water Tank investigation.

Please allow sufficient time to get to Cockatoo Island. A ferry leaves from Circular Quay at 9:10am, arriving at Cockatoo Island at 9:18am. A return ferry leaves the Island at 11:53am for Circular Quay. Please check times on the Transport Info website closer to the day, as there may be changes to timetables (http://131500.com.au/). You can of course look around the Island for as long as you like, and there is a cafe near the ferry dock.

For more information about Cockatoo Island, visit: www.cockatooisland.gov.au.

State: NSW

Where: Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, meet near ferry dock

When: Monday 17 May 2010, 9:30am – 11:30am

Cost: $20 per person + ferry trip

Contact: Bookings are essential; max. 25 persons; please contact Sydney Harbour Federation Trust on 8969 2100