Heritage works underway in the Convict Precinct

Located on the upper island, the Convict Precinct is part of Cockatoo Island’s broader Convict Site – a collection of remnant structures from the period when the island was a penal establishment (1839 to 1869).

In 2010, Cockatoo Island’s Convict Site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List with 10 other convict sites nationwide. Collectively known as the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property, these sites feature significant examples of convict era structures and offer a window into an era when people were exiled to Australia and put to work on the colony’s building projects.

The Convict Precinct buildings currently subject to conservation works include Building 4 (pictured), which originally included Prisoner Ward No. 3 as well as the former Surgery and Hospital wards. Prisoner Ward No.1 and 2 will also be subject to some works. In addition to repainting timber door and frames, the Harbour Trust is repairing windows and conserving heritage sandstone walls and sills.

The Convict Precinct will remain accessible to visitors (including tourgoers) during the works, which are expected to take six weeks. To learn more about cockatoo Island’s turbulent convict era, book tickets for our all-ages Convict precinct Tour.