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Clark Island
The area of the island is one hectare, with 150 visitors being permitted at a
time. In 1789, Lieutenant Ralph Clark tried to use the island as a vegetable
garden, but he eventually abandoned the idea. However, his name has been preserved
for posterity. It has natural bushland and grassed areas. There are no regular
services to Clark Island. There is a landing charge. (9274 5033).
Cockatoo Island
A historical island with a sandstone prison, tunnels and docks. Ferries depart
on Saturday at 10.30am and 1.30pm and Sundays 10am and 2pm. (8969 2199)
Fort Denison
Fort Denison occupies the entirety of a small island not far from the Opera
House.The circular martello tower is the only one to be found in Australia. Originally known as Mat-te-wan-ye it was renamed to Fort Denison in 1857. The Fort was abandoned in the 1870's. In 1906 the One O'clock Gun was fired each day to enable sailors to set their ship's chronometers correctly and still continues to this day. Ferries occasionally stop here and there are tours arranged by the
National Park which depart from Cadman’s Cottage near Circular Quay
station. Breakfast tours (including breakfast) leave at 6:50 on Tuesdays
and Thursdays and 6:40 on Sundays. Other tours leave at 9:00, 11:30, 14:00
and 16:15 (slightly different times at weekends).(9247 5033).
Goat Island
Goat Island was first used to dispose of waste from a convict hulk in the harbour.
Later, in 1839, a gunpowder magazine was constructed here by convicts and
can still be seen. A further magazine was built in the 1850s. In 1900, the
Black Death reached Sydney and Goat Island became a quarantine area. In the
twentieth century, houses were constructed here and even a shipbuilding yard.
The island became part of the National Park only in 1995. There are various
tours to Goat Island departing from Cadman’s Cottage. The Heritage
Tour leaves at 11:45 on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.(9247 5033).
Rodd Island
The area of the island is 0.5 hectares, with 100 visitors being permitted at
a time. In 1859, Mr. Brent Rodd paid a deposit for the island, which he later
forfeited, but the island kept his name. It became a public reserve, but
was also used in the late nineteenth century for biological research under
the direction of Dr. Louis Pasteur. It has summer houses from the 1930s and
a colonial hall dating from 1889. There are no regular services to Rodd Island.(9274
5033).
Shark Island
The area of this island is 1.5 hectares, with 500 visitors being permitted
at a time. The island was used as an animal quarantine area from 1880 until
1975. It has good views and sandy beaches. Ferries depart 4 times a day on
Saturday and Sundays from Circular Quay run by Matilda Cruises. (9264 7377).
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