Horror enthusiasts, it’s time to hop on a ferry and make your way to Sydney’s spookiest night out this August.
Even without a spooky event taking over its grounds, the former convict gaol and shipyard, Cockatoo Island, is creepy in its own right. The industrial grounds are widely considered to be one of Australia’s most haunted locations, with many visitors and staff reporting numerous paranormal encounters.
Add two immersive “horror tunnels”, more than 30 live performers and over 100 carefully choreographed scare moments, and it’s downright terrifying.
For three nights from August 28 to 30, the huge immersive horror event Fear Island will transform Cockatoo Island into your worst nightmare. Accessible only by ferry (which somehow makes it even spookier), the experience begins the moment visitors step onto the island, where they’ll be immersed in an unfolding horror story as they explore the historic site after dark.
The spookiest events
The scares begin well before you even set foot on the island. A week before the event, Fear Island will launch The Warden’s Lost Key, an interactive treasure hunt with daily clues shared across social media. Crack the riddles, uncover Cockatoo Island’s secrets and track down the hidden key on event night to win a prize pool that grows with every ticket sold.
Once you arrive, the main event awaits. At the heart of Fear Island are the Tunnels of Terror, consisting of two separate live walkthrough attractions, each with its own storyline, epic jumpscares and terrifying characters. The Tunnels will unleash more than 100 scare moments throughout the experience, with no two journeys through them the same.
Despite the fear that running through dark, spooky passageways elicits in us, the horror extends well beyond the tunnels. Across the island, you’ll find ghost stories shared by firelight, eerie roaming creatures, live contortionist performances, a 360-degree horror booth and a chilling Missing Persons Wall, ensuring there’s something sinister around every corner.
There’s also the Warden’s Lost Key, an interactive treasure hunt beginning a week before the festival. Daily clues will be shared across Fear Island’s social media channels, encouraging ticket holders to solve riddles and research Cockatoo Island before searching for the hidden key during the event. The first person to find it will take home a prize pool that grows as tickets are sold.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the horror by dressing in their creepiest costumes, with the chance to win the coveted title of Grand Champion of Fear Island, along with nightly prizes and giveaways throughout the weekend.
The Thriller Dinner
Forget dinner and a show; this dining experience blends shared dining, live theatre, immersive storytelling and atmospheric horror into one unforgettable evening. Not just a meal, the Thriller Dinner is a shared dining experience where a story will unfold as the evening goes on and the guests become characters.
The experience includes a signature welcome cocktail (we expect it to be suitably themed and scary), shared entrée platters, a premium spit roast banquet with seasonal accompaniments and shared dessert platters. There will also be a cash bar available throughout the evening if you want to purchase additional drinks.
Event Director Monique Annetts said The Thriller Dinner was inspired by the growing demand for immersive experiences around the world.
“People are looking for experiences they can talk about afterwards—not just another dinner reservation.”
“The Thriller Dinner combines incredible food, live theatre, immersive storytelling and one of Sydney Harbour’s most unique locations to create something completely different.”
“Every guest becomes part of the story. You don’t simply watch the performance — you experience it.”
Ticket prices for Fear Island vary:
- Terror Tunnel Only Ticket: $40
- Thriller Dinner Only Ticket: $110
- Fear Island Ultimate Package (Includes Tunnels of Terror and The Thriller Dinner): $140
