Youth Forum Venue
About Cockatoo Island
The GA2023 Youth Forum will be held on Cockatoo Island, in the famous Sydney Harbour.
Known to First Nations People as Wareamah, Cockatoo Island has emerged as an iconic contemporary arts venue, having hosted everything from Opera Australia’s Carmen on Cockatoo Island, the Biennale of Sydney and SailGP, and live performances by the likes of Lorde and John Farnham. Cockatoo Island is a wonderful surviving example of convict and colonial history – it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site with 10 other convict sites nationwide, collectively known as ‘Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property’.
Formerly a convict penal establishment, reformatory school and naval ship dockyard, Cockatoo Island also offers heritage accommodation, a waterfront campground, a program of tours, family-friendly cafés and tranquil picnic spots with panoramic harbour views. Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cover Rivers, Cockatoo Island is a jewel on Sydney Harbour.
Delegates would stay on the island and the program would be held within the historic industrial precinct.
Full of gritty glamour, the atmospheric Turbine Shop is the largest building on Cockatoo Island and, at the time of its finished construction in 1946, was the largest building in the Southern Hemisphere. With its raw industrial character, exposed steel structure, soaring ceilings with overhead gantry cranes and bare concrete floors, this immense industrial building makes an impressive setting for the Youth Forum.
Cockatoo Island is managed and protected by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
This event is proudly supported by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the Major Partner of the GA2023 Youth Forum.
Accommodation
Stay on Cockatoo Island where you will feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city in the middle of Sydney Harbour, while still only 25 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay. A peaceful industrial landscape steeped in Australian history. Cockatoo Island boasts a unique waterfront deluxe camping experience to all Youth Forum 2023 attendees providing an opportunity to sleep under the stars in the heart of the world’s best Harbour.
Youth Forum delegates will stay in deluxe camping, twin share accommodation on the island during their event. This communal campground experience has been specifically chosen to encourage interaction with all delegates and exploration of the Island throughout the weekend.
Some alternative accommodation options are available for delegates with special requirements.
Catering
While on the Island, Youth Forum delegates would be provided with breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. As part of the Welcome event on the first night, delegates will enjoy a “G’day Mate” Aussie BBQ dinner in the campground. On the second night, delegates will enjoy a special dining and networking experience on the Eastern Apron. And before heading back to the mainland on the third day, delegates will enjoy a “Cyas Laters” lunch.
There are also a range of additional meal and drink options are located around the Island for delegates to find and savour at their leisure.
Want to know more about Cockatoo Island?
Getting to Cockatoo Island
Catching a public ferry is the easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island daily, departing from Circular Quay and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River.