Take A Ferry To Explore Sydney's Most Intriguing Island With An Award-Winning Campground

Many of Australia's most famous destinations are in Sydney, and another one you should add to your list is right in Sydney Harbour. Cockatoo Island/Wareamah, a former penal colony and naval dockyard, has it all — fascinating history, notable landmarks (several are on the UNESCO World Heritage List), gorgeous views, and even live music events. Plus, there's waterfront camping to fit all budgets (just be sure to follow these tips for booking your campsite in advance).

The island has two names because Sydney's Indigenous First Nations peoples know it as Wareamah. It was initially used as a meeting place for tens of thousands of years before Europeans arrived. After settlers showed up, the island became a prison and a dockyard for building and repairing naval ships. When the prison closed in 1869, the buildings were turned into educational facilities, including a reformatory and an industrial training school. The Vernon, a nautical school ship, was also moored off the island's coast in the late 1800s. However, these educational institutions didn't stray too far from the island's original purpose, as the children attending were mostly wards of the state or convicted of crimes as juveniles.

Today the island offers a wealth of historical tours, family and group activities, camping along the harbor, and more. You can even spend New Year's Eve on the island for VIP views of Australia's famous fireworks display in Sydney Harbour — what could be better than camping in style with a front-row seat?

Cockatoo Island/Wareamah has been open to the public since 2007, and you just hop on a ferry to get there. Two ferries run to the island daily, with one departing from Circular Quay and the other leaving from Barangaroo or along the Parramatta River. The island's award-winning campground also includes a firepit, a cinema, and a communal kitchen. Pre-order BBQ packs before you arrive to make meals super easy, or head over to one of the island's restaurants if you don't feel like cooking. The most basic package for travelers with their own tents is $50 a night, and the premium waterfront package starts at $300 per night.

For those interested in the island's fascinating past (and who wouldn't be?), there are guided tours that offer insight into everything from historical highlights to a thorough exploration of its darker backstory. Other tours cover the island's maritime history, taking you through the lower island to see important landmarks. For travelers who prefer self-exploration, an audio tour is available for $6 from the visitor center, and QR codes around the island offer free information via your phone.

Australia is a bucket-list destination for many travel-hungry globetrotters, even though it's a long trip if you're coming from the other side of the world (here are some tips for surviving a long-haul flight). An insider tip — be sure to give yourself enough time to explore everything Oz has to offer so you don't miss out on intriguing hotspots like Cockatoo Island/Wareamah.