STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF SYDNEY HARBOUR!

WD’S MICHELLE HELDERMAN lives the island life, just a short ferry ride from Sydney’s CBD

Think you’ve seen everything there is to see in Sydney’s stellar harbour? Think again. The largest island in Sydney Harbour, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cockatoo Island is a hidden playground you never knew existed. My advice? Make a day of it and stay on the island to take a ghost tour. Here’s what I experienced...

WATERFRONT LUXE

As the sun sets over the horizon, jet off in a water taxi towards Sydney’s iconic Cockatoo Island.

Although it’s only a short journey from shore, it feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Treat yourself to a glamping package that includes all the essentials – a pre-erected cosy tent, two raised single beds, linen, lantern and deck chairs – all within metres from the water’s edge.

If the thought of a tent doesn’t thrill you, there are luxe apartments – all with spectacular views – and also heritage houses set among lush gardens, which are ideal for groups of up to 12 people. Visit cockatooisland. gov.au for more information.

GHOSTBUSTERS

Cockatoo Island has a fascinating past of convicts, historical sites and… ghosts! Join the adultsonly tour of some of the most haunted locations on the island, with ghost-measuring tools like the K-II EMF meter in hand (it eerily lights up when paranormal activity is detected).

Our guides explain the story of a ghost named Minnie, an eight-year-old girl in a white dress who is often sighted by guests, and take us to landmarks rarely open to the public.

We arrive at one of the houses where a bathroom light, which has been switched off by management, relentlessly flickers. It’s all very amusing until we see that even our guide looks a little spooked! We kept telling ourselves we’re nonbelievers, but as the wind howls and the ghost meter lights up, maybe they do exist after all.

The Ghostyard tour runs every Saturday from 9pm-11pm. Tickets are $45, cockatooisland.gov.au