|
|
|
  |
| Norfolk Island + Lord Howe Island |
|
| Scroll down for details about Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island |
|
Norfolk + Lord Howe Islands - Introduction |
 These two remote and tiny
South Pacific inlands are lush and green and neither of them appear to
have been settled at any time by Polynesians (although there is some
argument that Norfolk was settled for a time). Both have intriguing but
different histories of European settlement. The two islands also have
contrasting approaches to tourism – Norfolk concentrates on its penal
colony background and connection with the Bounty mutineers as well as
its status as a tax haven, whilst World Heritage listed Lord Howe
promotes itself as an eco destination. Neither island caters for budget
travellers or backpackers and most visitors who arrive are on package
holidays. Both islands are accessed by flights from Sydney and Brisbane.
There are also flights to Norfolk from Auckland in NZ. There are no
flights between the two islands. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Unlike Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island is
part of NSW. The first sighting by Europeans was in 1788 and a tiny
group of settlers arrived in 1833 to service whaling ships with
supplies. In the 1840s more settlers arrived and in 1853 two European
males came with three women from the Gilbert Islands and this tiny group
are the ancestors of many of Lord Howe Island’s current population of
less than 400. |
| Return to - Top
NSW+ACT Summary Page
NSW Regions Intro
AUS GUIDE
BOOK Contents Page or hit 'Back' Button
|
| HOME |
|
|
| Truly Australia have attempted to give an honest and objective description of the topics covered on this page and have deliberately avoided regurgitating tourist office media releases. The information shown has been compiled from a variety of reputable sources and our own experiences. We check and review this information from time to time, but we assume no responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the details given. |
Only 8km by 5km, Norfolk is a self governing
External Territory of Australia which is not subject to Australia’s
tax laws.Fifteen convicts were amongst the first settlers who arrived in 1788 but
the settlement was not viable and was abandoned in 1814. Eleven years
later a harsh penal colony was established, instigated by the islands’
isolation. In 1855 the island was abandoned once again as the British
decided the settlement was too expensive to maintain. About a year later
194 descendents of the Bounty mutineers decided they had outgrown
Pitcairn Island and sailed to Norfolk to establish a third settlement.
Bounty Day is celebrated every year on 8th June.
There is no public transport on the island and hiring a car or joining a
local operator on a tour are the main ways visitors see the island.
Diving, snorkelling, hiking and cycling and bird watching are good
activity options. There is an array of accommodation which most sensibly
needs to be pre-booked, usually as part of a package. Kingston is the
main administrative centre with Burnt Pine, which is near the airport in
the centre of the island, servicing most tourist needs. The northern
part of the island is now the Norfolk Island National Park
Today, tourism is the main industry on this stunningly beautiful tiny
boomerang shaped volcanic island. It is roughly 11km long and 2km wide
and its description as an eco-tourism destination is fact and not just
bland marketing speak. Lord Howe has been World Heritage listed since
1982 due to its coral reef, unusual plant life and rare birds. Swimming,
snorkelling, diving, bushwalking and cycling are amongst the range of
relaxed activities that are available. All accommodation must be
pre-booked (usually as part of a package) and whilst not cheap, is
mostly of a high standard and good value.