Shark Island
Do you like the sound of an island getaway but don’t have time to jump on a plane? Just head to Darling Harbour or Circular Quay and within a short time you’ll be exiting the ferry at Shark Island. Alternatively you could explore the island by kayak from Rose Bay.
The 1.5ha Shark Island sits in Sydney Harbour, just 1km from Rose Bay.
With its lush grassy areas, picnic shelters and spacious gazebo and amazing 360° views, the island is the perfect place for a harbour picnic or to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
After lunch, you can explore the island’s foreshore and grottos, hand built in the early 1900s and hiding a range of tide pool creatures.
Shark Island is available for wedding and function hire - see a venue map (PDF 562KB).
Other purpose of venue: picnic area
Location:
shown on park map
Getting there: Captain Cook Cruises operate a public ferry service to the island daily (with the exception of days when the island is hired exclusively). For timetable information please visit the Captain Cook Cruises website.
When this venue is available
You can book this venue for your exclusive use. This venue is available from 8am to 8pm during daylight saving, and from 8am to 5pm at other times, seven days a week except Boxing Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day and Australia Day.
NOTE: if the event is for over 100 people, the island must be booked exclusively.
Events this venue is suitable for
- Wedding ceremonies (max 100 people, non-exclusive, 500 exclusive)
- Wedding receptions (max 500 people)
- Private/corporate lunches (max 500 people)
- Picnics and barbecues (max 500 people, conditions apply)
What's available
General facilities: picnic tables, flush toilets, drinking water
Venue facilities: electric power
Electric power: power (including 3 phase) is available if the venue is hired exclusively; please note power requirements must be discussed prior to the event.
Other facilities: gazebo 8.5m x 8.5m; scattered picnic shelters x 5
Fees
Fees:
- Exclusive hire, per day: $3300
- Landing fee - non-exclusive hire, per person, per day (max 100, children under 5 free): $7
- Wedding ceremony consent fee (not applicable if the island is hired exclusively): $330
For wedding ceremonies where the venue is not hired exclusively, both the wedding consent fee and the landing fee apply.
Conditions
Permitted here:
- Tents/marquees. For exclusive venue hire only. They must be weighted not pegged and conditions apply. Additional fees will apply should access to the island for marquee erection or bumpout be required outside the hire period.
- Commercial catering. Conditions apply.
- Alcohol. No kegs.
- Non-amplified music.
- Dancing.
- Commercial wedding photography.
- Chairs. For non exclusive wedding ceremonies a maximum of 15 chairs with continuous or rail type legs only.
- Table for signing the wedding certificate.
Not permitted here:
- Amplified/loud music and/or public address systems.
- Candles or other open flames.
- Confetti, rice, petals or similar.
- Vines and other exotic plant material.
- Roping off areas or signs re exclusive event. For non-exclusive venue hire.
- Butterfly releases.
- Pegging or staking items into the ground.
- Depositing ice or iced water on grassed areas.
- Water balloons and paintball equipment.
- Domestic animals.
Other conditions: -
Tickets must NOT be sold for any event, regardless of whether it is for profit, cost-recovery or charity purposes.
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The Area Manager reserves the right to assign an NPWS supervisor to any event at any time. If supervision is required an additional charge will apply.
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When in force, total fire bans apply.
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BBQs – outside only and they must be fitted with a fat drip tray and be located away from structures.
- Signs or promotional / advertising material which can be viewed from the water are not permitted.
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Mooring at the wharf is for passenger drop-off and pick-up only.
- All rubbish must be removed at the conclusion of the event or penalties will be imposed.
- All corporate or commercial clients must provide a Public Liability Insurance Policy of not less than $10 000 000 indemnifying NPWS. Evidence of this policy must be provided with the return of the signed application form.
- The HIRER shall not transfer, assign, sublet or sub-hire this site.
Bookings, payments and refunds
Exclusive hire
Booking is essential. A completed application form and non-refundable deposit of 50% of the venue hire fee is required within 14 days of making a tentative reservation otherwise the booking will be automatically cancelled. A consent requiring the signature of the Hirer will be issued. The balance of the hire fee and signed consent are due no later than six weeks prior to the date of the event. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Non-exclusive hire (e.g. wedding ceremony for less than 100 people)
Booking is essential. A completed application form and and payment of the $330 consent fee is required within 14 days of reservation otherwise the booking will be automatically cancelled. A consent requiring the signature of the hirer will be issued. The landing fees and signed consent are due no later than six weeks prior to the date of the event. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Security deposit
In lieu of a security deposit NPWS reserves the right to charge hirers post event fees for any damages caused to the venue or failure to comply with consent conditions.
Payment options
Cancellations
greater than six (6) weeks prior to the date of the booking, 50% of the consent fee and 100% of landing fees OR 50% of the venue hire fee will be refunded.
less than six (6) weeks prior to the date of the booking, no refund is given on the consent fee or venue hire fee, 50% refund is given on landing fees (if applicable).
Wet weather cancellation
50% of the consent fee and landing fees OR 50% of the exclusive venue hire fee applies for wet weather cancellation as follows:
for all Exclusive Hire bookings and Non Exclusive Hire bookings commencing before 1pm, cancellation must be received no later than 4pm the day prior to the event.
for Non Exclusive Hire bookings commencing after 1pm, cancellation must be received between 10am and 11am on the day of the event.
It is the responsibility of the HIRER to advise of cancellation. The HIRER is required to telephone Cadmans Cottage.
All cancellations other than wet weather also require the HIRER to submit written advice. This may be in the form of fax, email or letter. Refunds may take up to
six weeks to process.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book the gazebo on Shark Island if I make a non exclusive booking?
No. Use of the gazebo is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Will there be other weddings on the island at the same time?
No. Only one wedding will be held on the island per day.
Can I have my reception on the island as well?
Yes - but you must hire the island exclusively.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book the gazebo on Shark Island if I make a non-exclusive booking?
No. Use of the gazebo is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Will there be other weddings on the island at the same time?
No. Only one wedding will be held on the island per day.
Can I have my reception on the island as well?
Yes - but you must hire the island exclusively.
Interested in this venue?
Contact:
National Parks Contact Centre, Phone: (02) 9253 0880 within Sydney, or 13000 Parks (1300 072 757) for the cost of a local call within Australia (mobiles excluded)
