Which Sydney Harbour islands can you visit?
Sydney Harbour has several islands, and the rules for each are different. Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) is open daily with free day entry and public ferries. Shark Island (Boowambillee), Clark Island and Rodd Island are national park islands where you pay a landing fee and book ahead. Fort Denison (Muddawahnyuh) is closed to visitors for the whole of 2026.
Seeing an island from a passing boat is a different thing from landing on it. The route of each Sydney harbour cruise differs, so read the route description before you book. This page is about landing and visiting.
The islands compared
Status, fees and access in 2026.
| Island | Can you visit? | Fee | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cockatoo Island (Wareamah) | Yes, daily | Free day entry | Public ferries F3 and F8 |
| Shark Island (Boowambillee) | Yes, with a booking | A$7 per person (children 0 to 4 free) | Ferry from Circular Quay, or private boat drop-off |
| Clark Island | Yes, with a booking | A$7 per person | Arrange your own water transport |
| Rodd Island | Yes, with a booking | A$7 per person | By watercraft only, no parking |
| Fort Denison (Muddawahnyuh) | No, closed in 2026 | – | – |
For most first-time visitors, Cockatoo Island is the easiest choice. Entry is free, the ferry is a public line and you need no landing booking.
Harbour island trips and cruises
Cruises and ferry trips that include the harbour islands, with live prices and availability.
Cockatoo Island (Wareamah)
Free entry, a World Heritage site and camping.
Day entry to Cockatoo Island is free, and the island is open daily. The Visitor Centre is open from 10:00 to 16:00. The Convict Site is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the island also has a historic dockyard. Public ferries F3 and F8 go there from Circular Quay, Barangaroo and other wharves, depending on the connection. See our Sydney ferries guide for fares.
You can camp on the island. The Basic Package comes with a tent already set up, for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 small children. It costs A$105 a night from Monday to Thursday and A$115 a night from Friday to Sunday. Extra bedding is available for more guests. You must book ahead, because same-day booking is not possible. Special dates and holidays can differ.
Camp rules are strict. You may not bring alcohol or your own barbecue or gas cooker. A shared kitchen and showers are provided. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 10:00. These rules apply to Cockatoo Island, not to the other islands.
Shark Island, Clark Island and Rodd Island
National park landings need a booking.
Shark Island (Boowambillee)
The island lies about 1 km off Rose Bay. The landing fee is A$7 per person, and children aged 0 to 4 are free. You must book ahead. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset in principle, subject to local closures. Private boats may drop off and pick up but may not moor. There are no barbecue facilities.
The Shark Island ferry
A return ferry from Circular Quay is A$20 for adults and A$17 for children aged 4 to 15, with the national park fee included. A credit card fee is extra. Do not add the landing fee on top. The price list is valid from 1 April 2026. Departures cover the school holidays and further dates, so do not assume a daily service. Check the timetable for your date.
Clark Island
The landing fee is A$7 per person. Book and pay online or contact the national park service. An Annual Park Pass does not cover landing or tour fees. Arrange your water transport separately.
Rodd Island
The landing fee is A$7 per person, with booking and payment ahead. There is no parking, and you can only arrive by watercraft. The jetty is for drop-off and pick-up only, with no mooring. Take your rubbish with you. Pets are not allowed, except certified assistance dogs, and smoking is not allowed.
Do not carry the free-entry rule for under-5s from Shark Island over to Clark Island or Rodd Island. Natural-area visits can be limited by weather or fire danger.
Fort Denison (Muddawahnyuh)
Closed to visitors for all of 2026.
Fort Denison was formerly called Pinchgut Island. The military fortification dates from the 1840s. In 2026 the island is closed to visitors for the whole year for conservation work. That means no guided tour, no restaurant booking and no regular landing, so do not plan a visit.
Any offer that claims a Fort Denison landing in 2026 needs a second look. If you see the island from the water, treat it as a view, not a stop.
New Year's Eve is a separate case. The city programme has ticketed vantage points, including Cockatoo Island offers, and a normal landing ticket is not a New Year's Eve ticket. Our New Year's Eve cruise guide covers the details.
Sydney Harbour islands: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Fort Denison in 2026?
No. Fort Denison is closed to visitors for the whole of 2026 for conservation work. There are no tours, restaurant bookings or regular landings.
Is Cockatoo Island free?
Day entry is free, and the island is open daily. Public ferries F3 and F8 go there. Camping and some events cost extra.
How much does Shark Island cost?
The landing fee is A$7 per person, and children aged 0 to 4 are free. The ferry from Circular Quay is A$20 for adults and A$17 for children aged 4 to 15, national park fee included.
Do I need to book to land on Shark Island?
Yes. Advance booking is required. Private boats may drop off and pick up passengers but may not moor.
Can I camp on a harbour island?
Yes, on Cockatoo Island. The Basic Package with a tent set up is A$105 a night from Monday to Thursday and A$115 from Friday to Sunday, and you must book in advance.