Sydney Harbour National Park

Goat Island: Sunset on Sydney Harbour

Spend the afternoon and evening on Sydney Harbour’s iconic Goat Island and discover the fascinating heritage of a bygone era as the sun sets over the city.

Short tours of the magazine precinct will give visitors an insight into the island’s colonial past, while a longer tour will show how the island became a focal point for the Harbour’s maritime operations.

Bring a picnic and watch the city lights come alive as evening sets in.

Ferries depart every hour from Circular Quay from 2.30pm and return from Goat Island every hour from 4.00pm.

When: Sunday 6 December, 2:30pm to 9:30pm

Cost: $26.50 Adult, $17.50 Child - ticket price includes return ferry to Goat Island, all tours and Christmas crafts for the kids.

Bookings: Bookings recommended as number are limited - call Cadmans Cottage on 02 9247 5033.

Watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race from Shark Island this Boxing Day!

Enjoy sensational views of one of the world’s most famous ocean races this Boxing Day as NSW National Parks opens up Shark Island for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on December 26, 2009.

Bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy front row seats as the competitors race past the island and out past the heads to the ocean.

There will be plenty to entertain the kids throughout the day as the island, Sydney’s original animal quarantine station, plays host to native animals from Australian Wildlife Displays, including a crocodile, green tree frog, possums and more.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Rangers will also be on deck during the day with Discovery activities for children of all ages.

Ferries depart from Rose Bay, Circular Quay and Cremorne between 9am and 10.30am and return from Shark Island between 2.15pm and 3.30pm.

Don't miss out - tickets go on sale Monday, 16 November. For information and bookings, phone Cadmans Cottage on 02 9247 5033.

Location: Shark Island

When: Saturday 26 December, 9:00am to 3:30pm

Cost: Tickets inlcude ferry transfers - $72 for families [2 adults & 2 children], $30 for adults and $12 for children, aged 5 to 15 years. Children under five are free.

Bookings: Bookings are essential as numbers are limited - phone Cadmans Cottage on 02 9247 5033.

Celebrate New Year's Eve 2009 on Sydney Harbour!

It’s no secret that Sydney Harbour is the place to be on New Year’s Eve!

Some of the best vantage points around Sydney for viewing the spectacular fireworks displays are in Sydney Harbour National Park.

Entry is free to some sites in the park, such as Bradleys Head at Mosman and North Head at Manly, while free ticketed entry is available for Nielsen Park.

A limited number of tickets are also available for the premier seats in the house – the harbour islands of Shark, Clark, Goat and Fort Denison.

NPWS is also selling tickets on behalf of the State Property Authority for Strickland House Lawns in Vaucluse.

Tickets are on sale now - find out more about bookings, ticket sales and conditions. Get in early and secure your spot for the world's best NYE festivities!

When: Thursday 31 Dec

Goat Island: The Kid Day Out

Take the kids on a journey back in time to an era where convicts were chained and made to work as punishment. The kids will surely promise to behave as they join the convict overseer on a trip to the year 1835. 

Families can relax with a picnic and play kid's games of yesteryear while helping their little convicts solve clues and plan their escape from the island.

From 10.30am, ferries will depart every hour from Circular Quay and return from Goat Island every hour from 12.00pm, with the last trip leaving at 4.00pm.

When: Sunday 10 January, 10:30am to 4:00pm

Cost: Bookings recommended - $23.00 Adult, $16.50 Child and $70.00 Family of four.

Bookings: For bookings and enquiries, call Cadmans Cottage on 02 9247 5033.