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Guide to Norfolk Island
One of the most unique and beautiful places on earth, Norfolk Island carries a special mystique that distinguishes them from everyday life. Norfolk Islands and its near neighbours, Nepean and Philip Islands, are steeped in a wealth of history, culture, stunning scenery and tranquillity, and will no doubt delight your senses and deliver an unforgettable experience. Ideal for families and romantic getaways, visitors can choose to laze under the majestic pines, snorkel in the lagoons, hike amongst the rainforest, kayak the coastline or trek on one of the secluded outer islands. Norfolk Island offers a unique and memorable adventure where you can discover the beauty of nature at its finest.
Norfolk is different to most other Pacific islands. Instead of palms, Norfolk's spectacular cliffs are topped with the island's famous pines. Rolling green hills are reminiscent of England. Several sandy beaches offer access to the surf and there is a wonderful lagoon with a coral reef that offers excellent diving. Located about 1610 kilometres east-northeast of Sydney, Norfolk Island is volcanic in nature and has a total area of 3455 hectares, one-third of which is national parks and reserves. There are two smaller islands lying to the south called Nepean and Philip, both of which are uninhabited.
Capital & Major Centres of Norfolk Island
Norfolk's 1800 permanent residents are scattered across the island. The main administrative centre is the former penal colony of Kingston, by the sea, whilst most of the shops, cafes and restaurants are in Burnt Pine, on top of the ridge. There can be up to a 700 visitors on the island at a time.
People of Norfolk Island
There is evidence that ancient Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island centuries ago. Today however, most of the residents are descendants of Fletcher Christian and The Bounty mutineers. English is the official language, but the locals also speak Norfolk, a mixture of 18th century west country English with a dash of Tahitian and Gaelic, developed on Pitcairn Island so the English rebels could converse with Tahitian women and men.
History of Norfolk Island
Discovered in 1774 by Captain James Cook who described the island as 'paradise' he named the isle after the ninth Duchess of Norfolk. With the foundation of Sydney Cove in 1788, Norfolk became the second oldest British settlement and was set up as a penal colony. By 1810 more than a quarter of the island had been cleared but, because it lacked a suitable safe harbour, it was abandoned in 1814 and its convicts sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
In 1825 Norfolk Island was resettled as a penal colony and became renowned for its brutality. Convicts laboured to establish the colony, building the prison, military barracks, boatsheds, crank mill, salthouse and official residences which still stand today, beautifully restored. This second settlement was finally closed down in 1854 and the island remained uninhabited until 1856 when the Bounty descendants arrived from Pitcairn Island. In 1914, the island was placed under the authority of Australia and in 1979 it was empowered to elect its own parliament. With such a colourful and bloody history perhaps it is not surprising that Richard Davis, author of Ghost Guide to Australia, claims that Norfolk is the most haunted place in Australia with more documented ghosts per square kilometre than any other state or territory!
Nature on Norfolk Island
Home of the Norfolk pine, the largest of these magnificent trees is 57 metres and has a girth of 11 metres. Scientists say that Norfolk's pine-scented skies have the cleanest air in the world after Antarctica.
There is prolific bird life and Norfolk harbours what is thought to be the world's rarest bird, the Norfolk Island Boobook Owl. In the lagoon and ocean reefs there are more than 100 varieties of hard and soft corals. There are no snakes or poisonous spiders on the island. Cattle and ducks roam the island and have right of way on the roads. One-third of the island's land mass is parkland, national parks and reserves and there's a specially designed waste disposal area so no harm is done to the ecosystem. Nearby at Philip and Nepean Islands are large bird sanctuaries that have been left untouched.
The Sights of Norfolk Island
You can visit the historical penal compound at Kingston and see what is thought of as the best preserved collection of Georgian buildings in the southern hemisphere and the fascinating tomb-stones in Kingston Cemetery. There is Mt Bates, Mt Pitt, Emily Bay and the historic chapel of St Barnabas. Explore the ruins on your own or witness one of the vivid re-enactments of Norfolk's time as a penal colony. There are plenty of bus tours and events to choose from.
There is horseriding and bush-walking along rugged clifftops and trails where guavas, lemons and mandarins grow wild. Explore Norfolk Island on a 4WD tour and fish in waters off Philip Island where people have been known to catch four fish on one line. Clear night skies are a stargazer's delight. "The Trial of the 15" is a humorous play about the island's history while Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama is a spectacular new indoor 360-degree 3D painting that visitors step into. Walk in the Wild is a private rainforest tour and there are tours of Helen Reddy's garden. New attractions include guided bird watching tours, the History in the Making Tour where you can learn about past working settlements of Norfolk Island, and Island cooking classes taught by local chefs where you can learn about Norfolk cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
Where to Stay on Norfolk Island
There are over 60 properties which range from self-contained apartments and hotel resorts to luxury cottages and houses. Whether you want a romantic getaway or an action packed beach holiday, there is accommodation on Norfolk Island to suit every visitor. Most properties include a hire car and are rated by AAA Tourism. Some properties are also green star accredited for being environmentally friendly.
Getting Around Norfolk Island
There is no public transport. Car hire is among the cheapest in the world at around AU$30 per day, and pushbikes are also available for hire. There is a taxi service.
Food & Entertainment of Norfolk Island
There are no nightclubs, however some of the hotels have live music. There are several fine dining restaurants such as the Norfolk Blue restaurant Grill and Bar which specialises in the island's local breed of cattle, the Norfolk Blue.
Activities of Norfolk Island
Norfolk is a sporting paradise, in fact the island's cricket pitch is the oldest in the southern hemisphere with the first match played on it in 1838. Sporting activities include golf, bowls, tennis, fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, horseriding, bushwalking and hiking.
Shopping Guide of Norfolk Island
Norfolk is a retail paradise, its duty free status making it a mecca for shoppers. You can pick up bargains on cosmetics, perfumes, jewellery, cameras, imported shoes, designer clothes, and classic collectables. Many luxury goods on sale aren't even available on the mainland. For local arts and crafts check out the island markets held every Sunday morning in the Bicentennial complex.
Facts
Climate of Norfolk Island
Sub tropical. Winter averages 19șC. Summer averages 24șC.
Clothing for Norfolk Island
Casual clothing, good walking shoes. Warmer clothes are needed for winter evenings.
Electricity on Norfolk Island
240 volts, AC/60 cycles.
Time Zone on Norfolk Island
GMT +11.5 hours. AEST + 1.5 hours.
Currency of Norfolk Island
Australian dollars, credit cards accepted. Tipping at your discretion.
Visas & Health
Visitors are allowed to stay up to 30 days. A $30 departure fee is payable either at the Visitors Information Centre during your stay or at the airport on the day of departure. Children under 16 years of age are exempt. International visitors need a multiple entry Australian Visa. Australian visitors require either a valid passport or certificate of identity.
Getting There
Regular flights operated by Norfolk Air/QANTAS code share from Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne. Air New Zealand flies from Auckland.
Norfolk is different to most other Pacific islands. Instead of palms, Norfolk's spectacular cliffs are topped with the island's famous pines. Rolling green hills are reminiscent of England. Several sandy beaches offer access to the surf and there is a wonderful lagoon with a coral reef that offers excellent diving. Located about 1610 kilometres east-northeast of Sydney, Norfolk Island is volcanic in nature and has a total area of 3455 hectares, one-third of which is national parks and reserves. There are two smaller islands lying to the south called Nepean and Philip, both of which are uninhabited.
Capital & Major Centres of Norfolk Island
Norfolk's 1800 permanent residents are scattered across the island. The main administrative centre is the former penal colony of Kingston, by the sea, whilst most of the shops, cafes and restaurants are in Burnt Pine, on top of the ridge. There can be up to a 700 visitors on the island at a time.
People of Norfolk Island
There is evidence that ancient Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island centuries ago. Today however, most of the residents are descendants of Fletcher Christian and The Bounty mutineers. English is the official language, but the locals also speak Norfolk, a mixture of 18th century west country English with a dash of Tahitian and Gaelic, developed on Pitcairn Island so the English rebels could converse with Tahitian women and men.
History of Norfolk Island
Discovered in 1774 by Captain James Cook who described the island as 'paradise' he named the isle after the ninth Duchess of Norfolk. With the foundation of Sydney Cove in 1788, Norfolk became the second oldest British settlement and was set up as a penal colony. By 1810 more than a quarter of the island had been cleared but, because it lacked a suitable safe harbour, it was abandoned in 1814 and its convicts sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
In 1825 Norfolk Island was resettled as a penal colony and became renowned for its brutality. Convicts laboured to establish the colony, building the prison, military barracks, boatsheds, crank mill, salthouse and official residences which still stand today, beautifully restored. This second settlement was finally closed down in 1854 and the island remained uninhabited until 1856 when the Bounty descendants arrived from Pitcairn Island. In 1914, the island was placed under the authority of Australia and in 1979 it was empowered to elect its own parliament. With such a colourful and bloody history perhaps it is not surprising that Richard Davis, author of Ghost Guide to Australia, claims that Norfolk is the most haunted place in Australia with more documented ghosts per square kilometre than any other state or territory!
Nature on Norfolk Island
Home of the Norfolk pine, the largest of these magnificent trees is 57 metres and has a girth of 11 metres. Scientists say that Norfolk's pine-scented skies have the cleanest air in the world after Antarctica.
There is prolific bird life and Norfolk harbours what is thought to be the world's rarest bird, the Norfolk Island Boobook Owl. In the lagoon and ocean reefs there are more than 100 varieties of hard and soft corals. There are no snakes or poisonous spiders on the island. Cattle and ducks roam the island and have right of way on the roads. One-third of the island's land mass is parkland, national parks and reserves and there's a specially designed waste disposal area so no harm is done to the ecosystem. Nearby at Philip and Nepean Islands are large bird sanctuaries that have been left untouched.
The Sights of Norfolk Island
You can visit the historical penal compound at Kingston and see what is thought of as the best preserved collection of Georgian buildings in the southern hemisphere and the fascinating tomb-stones in Kingston Cemetery. There is Mt Bates, Mt Pitt, Emily Bay and the historic chapel of St Barnabas. Explore the ruins on your own or witness one of the vivid re-enactments of Norfolk's time as a penal colony. There are plenty of bus tours and events to choose from.
There is horseriding and bush-walking along rugged clifftops and trails where guavas, lemons and mandarins grow wild. Explore Norfolk Island on a 4WD tour and fish in waters off Philip Island where people have been known to catch four fish on one line. Clear night skies are a stargazer's delight. "The Trial of the 15" is a humorous play about the island's history while Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama is a spectacular new indoor 360-degree 3D painting that visitors step into. Walk in the Wild is a private rainforest tour and there are tours of Helen Reddy's garden. New attractions include guided bird watching tours, the History in the Making Tour where you can learn about past working settlements of Norfolk Island, and Island cooking classes taught by local chefs where you can learn about Norfolk cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.
Where to Stay on Norfolk Island
There are over 60 properties which range from self-contained apartments and hotel resorts to luxury cottages and houses. Whether you want a romantic getaway or an action packed beach holiday, there is accommodation on Norfolk Island to suit every visitor. Most properties include a hire car and are rated by AAA Tourism. Some properties are also green star accredited for being environmentally friendly.
Getting Around Norfolk Island
There is no public transport. Car hire is among the cheapest in the world at around AU$30 per day, and pushbikes are also available for hire. There is a taxi service.
Food & Entertainment of Norfolk Island
There are no nightclubs, however some of the hotels have live music. There are several fine dining restaurants such as the Norfolk Blue restaurant Grill and Bar which specialises in the island's local breed of cattle, the Norfolk Blue.
Activities of Norfolk Island
Norfolk is a sporting paradise, in fact the island's cricket pitch is the oldest in the southern hemisphere with the first match played on it in 1838. Sporting activities include golf, bowls, tennis, fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, horseriding, bushwalking and hiking.
Shopping Guide of Norfolk Island
Norfolk is a retail paradise, its duty free status making it a mecca for shoppers. You can pick up bargains on cosmetics, perfumes, jewellery, cameras, imported shoes, designer clothes, and classic collectables. Many luxury goods on sale aren't even available on the mainland. For local arts and crafts check out the island markets held every Sunday morning in the Bicentennial complex.
Facts
Climate of Norfolk Island
Sub tropical. Winter averages 19șC. Summer averages 24șC.
Clothing for Norfolk Island
Casual clothing, good walking shoes. Warmer clothes are needed for winter evenings.
Electricity on Norfolk Island
240 volts, AC/60 cycles.
Time Zone on Norfolk Island
GMT +11.5 hours. AEST + 1.5 hours.
Currency of Norfolk Island
Australian dollars, credit cards accepted. Tipping at your discretion.
Visas & Health
Visitors are allowed to stay up to 30 days. A $30 departure fee is payable either at the Visitors Information Centre during your stay or at the airport on the day of departure. Children under 16 years of age are exempt. International visitors need a multiple entry Australian Visa. Australian visitors require either a valid passport or certificate of identity.
Getting There
Regular flights operated by Norfolk Air/QANTAS code share from Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Melbourne. Air New Zealand flies from Auckland.