View of Cockatoo Island from ferry on Sydney Harbour

Formerly a convict penal establishment, reformatory school and naval ship dockyard, Cockatoo Island has emerged as an iconic contemporary arts venue, having hosted everything from the Biennale of Sydney (since 2008) and SailGP (2019) and live performances by the likes of Lorde and John Farnham. Cockatoo Island has strong continued ties to the First Nations, having once served as a meeting place for the Eora People. In the Dharug language, it is known as Wareamah, meaning ‘women’s land’.