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Bare Island

  • Things to do
  • La Perouse
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Bare Island fort La Perouse
Photograph: Adam J.W.C.
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Time Out says

The government of the day built an elaborate fort on this island 30 metres off the coast of La Perouse in the early 1880s, seeing the land Cook had described a century earlier as “a small bare island” as a good place to ward off invaders. But from the moment it opened in 1885, there were problems: an 1890 Royal Commission found that inferior concrete had been used and the crumbling fort was decommissioned by 1902. It was next used as a retirement home for war vets before coming under the jurisdiction of the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. Later, it would cameo in Mission Impossible II. The island is also the usual location of the bi-monthly Blak Markets, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led cultural and shopping event. 

Island hop? You can tour the historical island Sundays at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm ($15 for adults). The surrounding reefs are a hot spot for local divers.

Written by
Time Out editors

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What’s on

Blak Markets

  • Markets

Sydney’s Blak Markets creates a space for everyone to engage with the oldest continuing culture in the world. See traditional entertainment and ceremony and browse stalls spruiking a range of locally made arts, crafts and food from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stallholders. From native plants to award-winning jewellery, silk scarves, and ethically sourced bush foods, there’s an eclectic mix to check out. The festival event returns to the beautiful Bare Island at La Perouse every two months, kicking off from 10am with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and performances and demonstrations throughout the day including traditional dance, singing and storytelling. On Sunday April 2, the Blak Markets will have a special guest singing performance by Angel and Djiriba Waagura Dancers. Get your coins ready – entry is $2.50 (children under five are free), and all proceeds raised go towards employing local Indigenous youth.  Bare Island, set on the picturesque point of La Perouse within the Kamay-Botany Bay National Park, is an area which is usually only open for tours. The market is a great place to teach the kids about Indigenous culture. Get more information on upcoming markets at blakmarkets.com.au and the Facebook page. You can also check out and buy from many of the stallholders on the online marketplace on the website. Blak Markets is supported by NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, Kamay-Botany Bay National Park Randwick City Council and Suncorp. Want more? Check out th

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