Key info - Tours of Garden island

Enquiries

Contact our tour coordinator as early as possible.

We'll be able to discuss all the things related to your tour, including dates, costs, travel arrangements, and tour preparation.

Tour party sizes

Our tours are intended for tour parties of between twenty to fifty persons.

If your group is smaller or bigger than that, don't worry! We can talk about your needs and work out how a solution that suits you.

We're always keen to work with individuals or smaller groups. Just contact us to discuss.

When are the tours run & how long does it take?

Our tours are run on alternate Thursdays and take about 60-90 minutes. Our tour dates page shows the dates and booking status of upcoming tours.

What is the cost of a tour?

Our cost/person is very modest and the fee includes morning tea. Contact the Tour Coordinator for more details.

Weather

The tour will go ahead rain, hail or shine. You should bring your own appropriate wet weather gear.

Tour preparation

  • Mobility - Group members need to be relatively mobile. There is quite a lot of walking involved and some stairs during the tour.
  • Sensible footwear - Sensible footwear is a must.
  • Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and bottled water - The tour is mainly outdoors. Come prepared, even if the weather is overcast.

Getting to Garden Island

Most tour groups will travel to Garden Island by ferry departing Circular Quay. Your tour coordinator will advise which ferry you should catch and a Tour Guide will meet your group upon arrival and escort you to the Boatshed for a briefing.

If your tour group is travelling by coach then the tour coordinator will discuss this with you and a Tour Guide will meet the coach at the main gates. Your coach cannot accompany you on the tour but there is coach parking available.

After the tour

There is still plenty to do after the tour.

The public access area offers many pleasant places to eat your own lunch or you can use the free BBQ facilities for lunch. Or, you can lunch at The Salthorse Cafe in the RAN Heritage Centre - the cafe can become quite busy so its worth having alternative lunch arrangements, such as proceeding on to Watsons Bay or returning to Circular Quay, .

At the conclusion of the tour you can choose to explore the RAN Heritage centre located in the public access area at your own leisure and expense.

Whatever you do, don't forget that the last ferry leaves the Island at 4:00pm.

Bookings & Payment

The Naval Historical Society will see to the security issues on your behalf, however ONE WEEK PRIOR to your tour date you should give us a complete list of names and final numbers for all those attending the tour.

We accept payment by cheque in advance or cash on the day. Your tour coordinator will discuss this with you when you confirm your booking.