Territory of Norfolk Island - 7N
By Roderick Eime under CC BY-ND 2.0
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· Island -
Norfolk Island is a tiny volcanic outcrop that is around 1,000 km east of Australia and a similar distance north of New Zealand. The island is roughly 8km long by 6km wide. The capital and largest town on the island is Kingston. Along with neighbouring uninhabited islands Phillip and Nepean the three of them form The Territory of Norfolk Island.
· Famous -
The Mutiny on the Bounty - more descendants of Fletcher Christian live here than anywhere else in the World
HMS Sirius - Australia's most important shipwreck, the flagship of the First Fleet
Home of the Norfolk Island Pine - now found around the World as the perfect coastal tree
The Thorn Birds - was written by local resident for 36 years until her death Colleen McCullough
It is the only place in the world where people are listed in the phonebook by their nicknames
Gold Level Dark Sky Town - top notch for star gazing
Golf - the only course in the World on a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site
Convict cemetery and ruins - one of the most haunted places in the World - #4
· Highlights -
Honesty and Friendliness - Honesty boxes everywhere, no one locks their houses, car keys are left in the ignition, the Norfolk wave where all road users acknowledge each other with a friendly little wave and if you go where the locals are drinking you won't be alone for long
No traffic lights, snakes, centipedes, fruit flies or sand flies
iconic lagoon for swimming and snorkelling - Trip Advisor's Top 10 beaches
but for how long?
· Visa -
Norfolk Island is an external territory of Australia so the same visa rules apply. Norfolk Islanders have not consented to this and do not consider themselves Australian.
It is not mandatory for Australian citizens to carry a passport when visiting here it is still the most preferred form of identification. New Zealand citizens do have to carry their passports.
Click here to find out what you need to do.
· Budget -
Very similar to travelling in Australia which is hardly surprising as technically it is Australia. A lot of the food is grown locally which is a highlight and keeps costs down. A lot of the accommodation choices have kitchens so you could save money with some self catering. Many of the activities are free and rental cars are included with some rooms.
Accommodation will blow your $100 a day limit for starters. You should probably double that at least and that doesn't include airfares which aren't exactly cheap either. Still it will be cheaper than the US or Europe and you will be having experiences that can't be replicated anywhere else. You're only here for a week or so, so lash out.
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About -
via Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland. Hire a car and move into your chosen accommodation. Most places will give you complimentary airport transfers and some organise rental cars and one place even gives you a car. it's a very friendly and honest place where no one locks their houses and everyone leaves their car keys in the ignition.
Cows and geese have right of way on the roads and you must wave to every passing driver. Use the car to explore different parts of the island at your own pace. The island is small enough that you only need to be based in one place.
In the evenings you can stroll into town for dinner and drinks and won't have to worry about driving.
Spend at least a week here looking around this unique island. Get to know the locals and learn some of the fascinating history. I'm not normally a big one for taking guided tours but there are a few here that are worth doing to here all the stories. Just see what interests you at the Visitor Information Centre. Chat to your hosts as well to see what they recommend.
Don't miss the Saturday night Fish Feast, Progressive Dinner, sunsets at the Sunset Bar and sunrise on top of Mount Pitt. Have a few picnics, catch some fish and have a BBQ when you get home (or you might win the meat tray at the RSL). There is no shortage of things to see and do on this little piece of paradise, but you might also want a few leisurely days on the beach, by the pool or in the spa. The days will pass quickly.
The weather is mild, windy and rainy for most of the year. The coldest and wettest time is in winter from June to August.
The best time to come here is October to March in the Spring and Summer. The best time for swimming is January to April when the sea is warmer.
Airports -
has direct flights to 95 destinations in 28 countries including North and South America, Middle East and Asia.
has direct flights to 72 destinations in 21 countries including the Middle East, Asia and North America.
has direct flights to 60 destinations in 23 countries including North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.
Norfolk Island Airport (NLK) -
has direct flights to Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.
Stay - most on Booking.com
Most of the accommodation is around the $200 a night range. The best area to stay in is Burnt Pine out near the airport where most of the accommodation, restaurants and bars are. Many of them have a minimum 3 night stay which won't be a problem. All are walking distance to the shops, restaurants and bars. -
set on 2 acres of lush tropical gardens with ocean views and 200 metres from the shops and restaurants, free airport transfers and half day island tour, fully equipped kitchen lounge and dining area, use of a fully insured car, tour desk - fishing charters - tennis club - private dinners, free parking
self contained apartment on 13 acres of native bush land bordering Norfolk Island National Park, outdoor plunge pool, tennis court, BBQ facilities, exclusive access to a large fruit orchard where you can help yourself to whatever's ripe, free half day guided tour of the island, free parking, Sun terrace, washing machine
The Tin Sheds - Norfolk Island ***** -
heated spa pool, all apartments have a luxury bathroom with spa bath, fully equipped kitchen with coffee machine, patio with kitchenette and BBQ, swimming pool, free parking, sauna, massage, fitness centre
Aataren Norfolk Villas **** - large airy villa with a big deck, free airport shuttle, bottle of wine, fully equipped kitchen, tour desk, car rental, free parking, BBQ, washing machine
set on 7 acres with ocean views, an outdoor pool, sun loungers, free airport transfers, free half day island tour, lounge bar and BBQ area, tour desk, free parking, shared kitchen, washing machine
Cumberland Resort and Spa **** -
set in tropical gardens, swimming pool, heated spa pool, day spa with sauna, massage and body treatment, free use of your allocated resort rental car, free half day island tour, breakfast provisions provided each morning, welcome drink and fruit, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with spa bath or massage shower, private BBQ facilities, free computer and mobile phone, free airport transfers, free snorkelling equipment, free parking
Paradise Hotel & Resort ***½ -
set on 11 acres of tropical gardens, outdoor pool, the Garden Restaurant & Bar, BBQ area, sunny courtyard, free parking, buffet breakfast, welcome drink, Coffee House, free shuttle sevice
private balcony with ocean views, private BBQ, fully equipped kitchen, free parking
set in a tropical garden, self catering in a shared BBQ area, apartments with fully equipped kitchen, free self service laundry, free airport transfers
tennis court, BBQ, free parking, self contained with fully equipped kitchen, will organise a rental car for you
fully equipped, swimming pool, Wrap and Roll Cafe, BBQ area, all apartments have an outdoor seating area, free parking
Features -
Pristine environment
Sub tropical flora and fauna
No light pollution
Wonderful walking trails
Excellent beaches
Splendid isloation
Locally sourced food
The island went through variuos settlement periods in its history. The first was by the Polynesians who came here seasonally until about 1400 AD.
The second was when Captain Cook arrived in 1774 and saw great potential in the island. It took another 14 years for the settlers to arrive and they only lasted 6 years because they deemed the islands resources unsuitable.
Ten years later it became a penal settlement from the worst offenders from New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). This lasted about 30 years and was closed in 1855.
A year later Queen Victoria gave the island to the descendants of mutineers from the Bounty who had exhausted their resources on Pitcairn Island. Fletcher Christian's group came to Norfolk while the others stayed on Pitcairn. Even today they speak a mixture of Tahitian and 18th century English.
In 1849 whaling became the main income earner for the island and remained so for a century. An air strip was built during World War II which opened the way for tourism later on. This became the island's mainstay and has remained so.
· See -
Fletcher Christians Cyclorama -
a 360° painting of the history of the Bounty and Norfolk Island - it took 2 years to create and comes with a soundtrack and information boards.
old Bounty and convict era relics
a showcase for endemic plants with 5 walking trails including a boardwalk - take a picnic
Saturday mornings
The Norfolk Island Military Museum -
at the RSL (Returned and Services League)
is a part of the Kingston UNESCO Site and reads like a who's who of island history. Convicts from the First Fleet, soldiers, sailors, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and even Colleen McCullough. It is worth doing it as a tour to hear the stories behind the tombstones.
Watch them
Sunrises, Sunsets and Starry night skies (do a tour if you want to see the moon, planets and stars through a telescope.
· Do -
Snorkel in this iconic bay with crystal clear water which is full of coral and friendly marine life. Take a picnic basket with you. Glass bottom boats take people out to the reef as well.
another great spot nearby - low tide is best
hear the amazing story of how the settlers from Pitcairn Island made the long ocean journey to this recently deserted penal colony.
visit the UNESCO penal site and here all the stories from a knowledgeable guide - 11 sites make up the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Australian Convict Settlements it is known as KAVHA the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic area. There are 4 museums in this area and you can buy a ticket which gives you entry to all of them.
Pitcairn settlers village tour -
in Norfolk's first tour bus- a 1928 A model Ford
Get a hunt and gather map from the information centre -
and make your way around to the honesty boxes for fresh fruit, veggies and preserves - don't forget to take change and small notes with you
Golf - seriously scenic 9 hole
18 tee course - the club house is an old convict building - bookings essential - you'll find a very friendly and welcoming group when you play here
Norfolk Island National Park -
has various bush walking tracks, hike to panoramic lookouts - like Captain Cooks and Mt Pitt
pull weeds and meet the locals, every Wednesday morning from 9.30am to 12.30pm and finish with morning tea and a chat
Margaret Christian will take you out to see 25 rare endemic bird species in normally inaccessible places
guided tour of the author's (The Thorn Birds) magnificent property "Old Yenna"
Catching -
the local term for fishing in these abundant waters - with no commercial fishing allowed around the island it is an undiscovered game fishing paradise
Half day trip to Phillip Island - for hiking and twitching -
when you arrive you will have to climb a series of rope ladders and steep hills so you need to be reasonably fit.
Norf'k or Norfuk - have lessons in the local lingo
which is a blend of Tahitian and 18th century English.
Swim - snorkel - surf - kayak - diving
Eat -
Bacon smoked in Norfolk Island Pine
Pilhi - Banana slice and coconut dessert pie
Visit Mootineer Cheeses -
try their broad range and meet the cows who helped produce it
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good coffee, hearty omelettes and homemade granola
long lunches in the courtyard garden - Seafood crepe is a must
for afternoon tea and goat cheese
High Tea by the Sea and locally made liqueurs
steaks, surf and turf and platters
Great beef dishes.
farm to plate cooked over the embers of an Argentinean Perilla grill and a naturally fermented sourdough bread that has its own cult following
modern Australian at the Governor's Lodge Resort
a fun 3 hours 3 course dinner with actors playing out Norfolk's colourful history
with Baunti Tours - meet locals in their own homes - book well ahead
Drink -
Locally grown and roasted coffee
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Norfolk Island Liquor Bond Store - for your duty free booze - only 3 litres per person. Legislation has been passed which means islanders will now come under Australia's tax and welfare system. So duty free alcohol may become a thing of the past.
try their 5 local beers on the sunny deck
- officially opened in 2006 - tastings and have lunch with one of Noelene's tasty platters
Norfolk Island RSL Memorial Club -
cheap drinks, meat raffles, friendly locals and live music most nights
meet more friendly locals over cheap beers.
Norfolk Island Bowling Club Bistro -
another place you'll find the locals drinking, Fish fry Wednesday to Sunday and other cheap meals
locally brewed beer
Brewery Bar & Bistro - by the airport for homemade beer and a feed
Live Shows - Trial of the 15 - a historical play
through the convict cemetery and ruins
Sundowners -
laid back licensed spot at Les and Pips place with live music and (platters from Wednesday to Sunday)
for a dramatic cliff side sunset - BYO
BBQ facilities - a beautiful beach but srong currents make it unwise to swim here
is a brilliant spot for sunrise or sunset views over the entire island - and you can drive up there.
every Saturday night located on a stunning hilltop with sunset ocean views eating island style recipes handed down from their Polynesian ancestors. A local singer and Tahiti style dancers round out a perfect evening. BYO or cash to pay for drinks. This is a tour and you will be transferred both ways.
Singalong - BYO - with Shovel on the guitar
Souvenirs -
see if you can pick up one of the iconic phone books - Two Chimney's Wine
Tips -
The Australian dollar is the local currency
Australian power plugs are used here
Give yourself an extra couple of days if you can
Don't take any foodstuffs with you
Take a torch - there are no street lights
Only 2,000 visitors are allowed at a time
Australians still need to to take a passport
· Festivals -
January - Ocean Challenge
June - Bounty Day
November - Norfolk Island Food Festival
· Extra -
You could have a stopover in Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland on the way through. Have a look at New Zealand in 'Countries M - Z'.
