norfolk island travel information

Norfolk Island travel information

Where is norfolk island.

Norfolk Island is situated in the Pacific Ocean approximately 1,600km north-east of Sydney, 890km north-east of Lord Howe Island and 1,100km north-west of Auckland.

What time zone is used in Norfolk Island?

Norfolk Island observes Norfolk Time (UTC+11). Daylight saving is observed on Norfolk Island (UTC+12). This means that Norfolk Island is always one hour ahead of Australian east-coast jurisdictions that observe daylight saving time.

How do I get to Norfolk Island?

Regular air passenger services operate to Norfolk Island from Sydney and Brisbane, and can be booked through your preferred travel agent.

What identity documents do I need to travel to Norfolk Island?

Passports and visas are not required when travelling to Norfolk Island from the Australian mainland. However, photographic identification, such as an Australian Driver's Licence, Proof of Age card or current Norfolk Island Document of Identity, must be produced for each passenger (including children) for clearance by the Australian Border Force. A valid passport meets this identification requirement and is the preferred means of documentation to expedite passenger processing and provide passenger identification in the case of a flight diversion to another country.

The visa requirements for Norfolk Island are the same as for Australia. If you are arriving directly to Norfolk Island and you are not an Australian citizen, you will require a visa. This also applies to cruise ship passengers. See visa information here .

What about children travelling without identification?

Children may travel accompanied by an adult who has appropriate documentation. Unaccompanied children will experience delays in processing until an Australian Border Force officer is satisfied as to their identity.

Flights depart and arrive via international terminals, do international movement conditions apply?

Yes, your travel experience will be similar to an international traveller. You must complete an incoming passenger card, and you and your luggage will be screened and could be inspected by Australian Border Force and Biosecurity officers.

From 1 July 2016, the  Biosecurity Act 2015 will apply to movements onto Norfolk Island, and biosecurity import conditions will apply to all goods arriving onto Norfolk Island.

You must declare certain food, plant material (including wooden articles) and animal products on your incoming passenger card.

If you have items you don’t wish to declare, you can dispose of them in the bins provided. You will not be penalised if all items are declared, even if they are not allowed into Norfolk Island. If you are not sure what you can take, ask a Biosecurity officer.

Do COVID-19 travel restrictions apply on Norfolk Island?

For the latest COVID-19 travel information for Norfolk Island, please visit http://www.norfolkisland.gov.nf/covid-19-travel-information-and-entry-pass .

Do I need travel insurance to cover a medical emergency or a medical evacuation from Norfolk Island?

From 1 July 2016, medical treatment on Norfolk Island will be covered by Medicare as it is on mainland Australia. Emergency medical treatment will be covered by Medicare or your private health insurer.

If you need to be medically evacuated from the Island, you will be transferred from Norfolk Island's health facility to the closest, appropriate mainland hospital. The cost of the medivac will be covered by the Australian Government.

Can I purchase/replace my medicines on Norfolk Island?

Yes, Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme apply on Norfolk Island since 1 July 2016, and the cost of medicines will be comparable to mainland Australia.

Can I shop duty free on Norfolk Island?

Yes, similar to other Australian external territories, there is no limit on the amount of duty free goods you can buy on Norfolk Island. However, when returning to mainland Australia standard duty free concessions will apply. You will need to produce documentation, such as a valid boarding pass and passport, to be eligible to purchase duty free goods at Sydney or Brisbane Airports.

What public holidays are observed on Norfolk Island?

Norfolk Island observes the below public holidays each year, as listed in the Employment Act:

• New Year's Day: 1 January (and, if that day is a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday)
• Australia Day: 26 January (or, if that day is a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday)
• Foundation Day: 6 March (and, if that day is a Sunday, the next Monday)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Anzac Day: 25 April
• Bounty Day: 8 June (and, if that day is a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday)
• Sovereign's Birthday: the first Monday after the second Saturday in June (or, if that Monday is observed as Bounty Day, the next Monday)
• Show Day: the second Monday in October
• Thanksgiving: the last Wednesday in November
• Christmas Day: 25 December (and, if that day is a Saturday or Sunday, 27 December)
• Boxing Day: 26 December (and, if that day is a Saturday or Sunday, 28 December).

• Norfolk Island National Park

Norfolk Island COVID-19 – Frequently asked questions

Is there a travel ban to norfolk island.

Residents from all states and territories of Australia are currently allowed to enter Norfolk Island.

Are there restrictions on access to Norfolk Island National Park for those on the island?

The national park remains open. All park facilities, including the Botanic Gardens Discovery Centre are now open.

Are there any changes to staff operations?

Staff are operating on a business as usual basis with measures in place to ensure social distancing rules are followed.

Has the travel ban to the island impacted on any Parks Australia work?

Several research projects have been put on hold due to the ban on travel to the island for non-essential staff. These include coral reef surveys, boo book owl surveys and other minor university surveys as well.

How will you communicate to the public, community, residents and visitors?

There will be notifications here on the Norfolk Island National Park website and Facebook page and through Parks Australia social media channels.

You can also stay up to date via the Norfolk Island Emergency Management (EMNI) Facebook page .

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Emily Bay, Norfolk Island © Norfolk Island Tourism

7 days of history, culture and nature on Norfolk Island

Discover the incredible natural beauty of this island that is also so rich in history and culture. Explore the best of Norfolk Island over seven days.

Norfolk Island is the quiet achiever of the South Pacific, often overlooked, though unforgettable once found. Discover for yourself why visitors return time and time again – there’s just so much more to Norfolk Island. It’s the ideal destination for people of all ages where you can have an adventure or simply take a relaxing break.

"I really do think that Norfolk Island is one of Australian tourism’s best-kept secrets. So, c’mon. Do yourself a huge favour. It’s a little part of Australia, after all." Ray Martin - Celebrity TV Presenter and Ambassador for Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is considered a  domestic flight , but be aware that flights depart from the International Terminal. A valid passport is the preferred means of documentation, however, photographic identification is acceptable for Australian citizens. 

With over 120 kilometres (75 miles) of road, a hire car is the most practical way to get around the island. When driving, be sure to practise the Norfolk ‘wave’ to passing vehicles and watch for roaming livestock who have the right of way.

Did you know?

Visitors are entitled to 20% discount off spirits and liqueurs (just show your airline ticket).

Day 1: On your way (“Watawieh” Hello)

Baunti Tours, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

On arrival you will be welcomed by a Norfolk Island Tourism representative who will show you to your hire car, bus transfer or accommodation owner. 

Once you have checked in, take a drive through Burnt Pine town centre. Here you will find supermarkets, cafes, the Visitor Information Centre, Liquor Mart, shops and pubs. 

One of the best ways to get your bearings and begin to understand the rich history of the island is on a tour. Jump on board for the Discover Our World tour with Baunti Tours or the Half Day Tour from Pinetree Tours to get an excellent introduction to Norfolk. Your guide will take you to the island’s main points of interests, including key historic places and incredible lookouts. With rich commentary on history and local life today, you will begin to understand that there is so much more to Norfolk Island.

Day 2: Time to explore (“Siyet” See it)

Moreton Bay Figs, Headstone Road, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

Start your morning with a drive to the top of Mount Pitt in the Norfolk Island National Park and take in the amazing 360° view of the whole island. Follow the road down the hill, and along Douglas Drive to visit St Barnabas Chapel, which was built around 1800. The glorious rose stained window is just one of the Chapel’s beautiful attributes. Spend some time exploring the grounds before making your way up to Headstone Road to walk under the canopy of the famous Moreton Bay fig trees . Stop for a photo opportunity amongst the impressive above ground roots.

From here, head down to Kingston for lunch at the Golf Club . After your meal, take advantage of the chance to play a round in the world's only golf course set in a World Heritage site.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the famous Homestead Restaurant which is set in a 1930s traditional house. Chef Kurt will tempt you with fresh local produce cooked on a wood fuelled Argentinian Parilla Grill.

Day 3: Get wet (“in a worta” in the water)

Emily Bay, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

With a pleasant sub-tropical climate, Norfolk is a year-round destination. In summer, temperatures remain below 29°C (84°F), while winter temperatures remain above 16°C (61°F). 

Spend today in and around the crystal clear waters of the island. 

Anglers will love the rich fishing grounds of Norfolk Island. Here, it’s so easy to reel in a prize that casting a line is referred to as ‘catching’ rather than fishing. The main fish species caught are sweet lip, kingfish and tuna. And with no fishing ramps, boats are lowered into the water by crane, adding to the charm of a fishing expedition on Norfolk. Book a fishing charter with an experienced guide for a great day out. 

Even if you decide not to head out on a charter, be sure to stop by Kingston Pier when the boats return. You may get to witness sharks feeding on fish scraps as the fishermen fillet their catch, which you can buy straight from them for your night’s dinner.

If you’d prefer to spend the day in the water, the island offers world class diving and snorkelling with marine life like nowhere else. The crystal clear waters of Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay are perfect for snorkelling, with a fringing reef just metres from shore. If you’re a certified diver, head out with  Norfolk Island Diving  to see incredible sites such as Johnny’s Stone, Duncombe Bay and Liar Straight. 

Another option for the day is to join an awe inspiring  sea kayaking tour . View the rugged coastline as the seabirds soar above you before stopping off at the remote Crystal Pool for a spot of snorkelling. These tours operate on demand and are weather dependent, so chat to the friendly team in the Visitor Information Centre to book.

For dinner tonight, book in at  Bailey’s .

Day 4: Back to nature (“kam lukorn” come and have a look)

Captain Cook’s Lookout, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

The wedgetail shearwater bird visits the island from October to May to breed. Known locally as the ghost bird because of its eerily spooky night call.

The natural beauty of the island is absolutely breathtaking with rugged coastline, rolling green hills, and the majestic Norfolk Island Pines. Today you'll spend your time taking it all in.

Get an early start to witness a beautiful sunrise. One vantage point is from the top of Flagstaff walkway, located in Kingston. There are over 200 steps to the top, but it is well worth it! Afterwards, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the popular Olive Café in the village before driving to Captain Cook Monument and Lookout on the northern side. From here you can see the offshore natural rock formations such as Elephant Rock and Bird Rock. Walk along the coastal ‘Bridle walking track’, keeping an eye out for the rare green parrot, Pacific robin and other  birds endemic to the island .

Another reserve that offers a peaceful walking track through pines and white oaks is Hundred Acres Reserve on Headstone Road. This loop track takes you on a boardwalk to the cliff top and is the perfect location to observe seabirds.

If you’re an experienced hiker with a good level of fitness, consider joining a guided trek to the outer Phillip Island, which sits about a 20-minute boat ride from the Kingston Pier. Protected by National Parks, Phillip Island is home to many migrating seabirds and a vibrant volcanic landscape.

Wind down from your day with a bottle of wine and picnic dinner at Puppies Point cliff top, which is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. You can book a picnic platter with Platters by Paige , or head over to nearby  Sunset Bar for drinks and nibbles with friendly owners Les and Pip. Be sure to stay out after the sun has gone down to witness the spectacular starry night sky. You will soon realise why the island is an Australian Gold Level Dark Sky Town.

Day 5: A bit of history and culture (“Fainet” Find it)

Kingston World Heritage site, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

The entire island hums with rich history and culture. It is all around you. Start in Kingston , where you will find one of 11 sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites UNESCO World Heritage Property. This unique site is known for its outstanding Georgian buildings and ruins. There’s no entry fee and the interpretive signs make for easy self-guiding. There are also four museums in Kingston, and the best way to see them is with a Museum Pass that gives you unlimited access and two guided tours. Not to be missed is the Sirius museum, dedicated to the HMS Sirius flagship of the First Fleet, wrecked on the Kingston reef in 1790. The pass also gives you access to the Research Centre. 

For lunch, head to Hilli Restaurant to enjoy locally caught seafood and fresh produce in the calming garden setting. After your meal, continue your historical explorations of the island by learning about the Pitcairn period of settlement. Next door to Hilli you will find the award-winning Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama , a 360 degree mural that depicts the story of the Pitcairn Islanders who came to Norfolk Island in 1856 after the famous Mutiny on the Bounty. 

For dinner, head to Castaway Restaurant & Bar . If it’s Friday, you’ll get to enjoy woodfired pizza alongside locally made craft beers from the adjacent Norfolk Island Brewery . 

Tonight, if you dare, arrange a Lantern Lit Ghost Tour  through the convict cemetery and ruins. Locals will tell you that Norfolk is one of the most haunted places in the world, and its historic buildings and cemetery will leave you with chills.

Day 6: Follow the food trail (“Wettles” Food)

The Hilli Goat, Norfolk Island © Tourism Australia

If you’re visiting in November, check out the Norfolk Island Food Festival , held annually in November.

Norfolk Island food culture focuses on produce that is grown locally and seasonally, allowing for unbeatable freshness and vibrant flavours. Most locals grow their own vegetables, and often share their bounty in roadside Honesty Boxes. Look out for these stalls dotted around the island (you can get a map at the Visitor’s Information Centre). If you take some fresh produce for a meal at home, just pop your money in the box to pay for your selection.

Today, experience some of the unique foodie offerings on the island first-hand. Start by joining a tour of the only goat farm on the island, the Hilli Goat . You’ll get to meet the adorable herd, hear about the cheesemaking process, get to taste the cheese and enjoy a lunch platter at the family home with incredible views over the cliffs. While you’re here, stop into Cottage Pottery for beautiful handmade pottery, art and jewellery.

If you’re on the island on Wednesday or Sunday, be sure to indulge in a decadent Forrester Court High Tea luncheon with magnificent views over Cascade Bay. 

For dinner tonight, book into the popular island fish fry for a chance to taste fresh fish in crispy batter alongside traditional dishes like ‘Pilhi’ (a banana slice) and coconut dessert pie. Dessert is always served with cream, referred to as Norfolk gravy. The evening includes Tahitian dancing entertainment by the Baunti Byuutis.

DAY 7: Me time (“Gut a hilli” feeling lazy)

Yoga at the Beach, Norfolk Island © Norfolk Island Tourism

While there’s so much to see and do on Norfolk Island, it’s also the perfect escape from the demands of your daily life. You feel the relaxed vibes and laid back attitude the moment you arrive here, so spend the day embracing the lifestyle.

"What I like most about visiting the island is you can detach yourself from life as much as you want to or meet some of the friendliest people in the Pacific who’ll take you in like a long lost family." Craig Tansley – Travel Writer

Begin the day with a  yoga session in town, or take in the sunrise on a morning walk around the beach at Kingston, past the Golf Club and along Quality Row. If the weather is fine, enjoy a final swim out to the pontoon in Emily Bay lagoon. 

Back in town, fuel up with a healthy breakfast and coffee at Prinke Eco Store , opposite the Visitor Information Centre. You can pass some time browsing the shops in town, including Aatuti Art near the Golden Orb Café and Bookshop. You are likely to find a piece of art you never knew you needed.

In the afternoon, treat yourself to a soothing pamper at Serenity Day Spa, or Island Skin & Beauty, before heading out to Two Chimneys Winery . Here you can relax on the beautiful veranda overlooking the vineyard while tasting a range of excellent wines. Two Chimneys also offers lunch platters, so you can extend your stay over a glass (or bottle) of wine as you enjoy an incredible selection of cheese, meats and spreads. 

Dinner tonight should be at Bounty Bar & Grill on Ferny Lane, famous for their local steaks and beef ribs.

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Things to do on Norfolk Island – your holiday planning guide

By Author Toni Broome

Posted on Published: June 5, 2017  - Last updated: August 28, 2021

A comprehensive travel guide to things to do on Norfolk Island plus where to eat, stay and play on this sub-tropical island paradise

We recently headed over to Norfolk Island for a 4 day short break.  We had a fabulous introduction to this sub-tropical paradise but I must admit I was surprised how much longer I could have happily spent on an island  that’s only around 35 km 2 .  I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to head back for a fortnight in the future with no risk of being bored.

Table of Contents

Where is Norfolk Island

1.  rent a car and explore the island, 2.  visit anson bay, 3.  head up mount pitt, 4.  enjoy the sunset, 5.  explore the unesco world heritage area, 6.  head down and watch a ship unload at kingston wharf, 7.  snorkel right off the sand in the lagoon, 8.  stop by the hilli goat, 9.  check in to see if cockpit waterfall is flowing, 10.  play a round of golf, 11.  take the greeneyes birding tour, 12.  visit the botanic gardens, 13.  walk the tracks of the national park, 14.  head out for a days fishing, 15.  see what captured captain cook’s attention, 16.  experience the cyclorama, 17.  join in one of the many events throughout the year, norfolk island restaurants, norfolk island accommodation, how to get to norfolk island, best time to visit norfolk island, our top 5 tips for visitors.

Norfolk is a sub-tropical island located half way between Australia and New Zealand at roughly the same latitude as northern New South Wales.  It enjoys a mild sub-tropical climate and a stable year round water temperature.  It’s also a photographers dream with fabulous Pacific sunrises and sunsets, rugged cliff top views, turquoise waters and a coral filled a lagoon.

The island is approximately 8 kilometres by 6 kilometres in size.  There’s no ring road around the island, instead it’s criss crossed by a number of country lanes.  With the Burnt Pine township centred in the middle you’re never more than about a 15 minutes drive from town.  If you’re looking for a coastal drive then the western side is your best bet with multiple stunning lookouts located along the clifftop and several good walkways down to the beach.

Things to do on Norfolk Island

If you are wondering what to do on Norfolk Island there is so much choice, you can be busy the whole time or relax and absorb the island vibe.  These are 17 of our ‘must do’ activities on Norfolk Island but the list by no means stops here.

Rent a car and drive around the island.  Norfolk Island roads are good quality country lanes which are a pleasure to drive.  The speed limit is 50 km/hr unless marked and make sure you watch out for the cows and geese that have right of way and regularly use is.  You’ll also get used to the Norfolk Island wave every time you pass another vehicle, it quickly becomes habit and you find yourself smiling and waving as you drive around even at night when no one can see a thing.

Unless you plan on doing a lot tours we felt that a car was essential on the island as there is no public transport.  Norfolk has a spectacular rugged coastline and all those cliffs give you an idea how hilly the terrain is.  While you can easily walk to dinner if you’re in are the township area, to really enjoy the island walking or even cycling aren’t going to be an option for most of us.

Head up the north west coast and take in the view from Anson Bay, from the Burnt Pine township it’s around a 15 minute drive.  On a clear day the turquoise waters below and rugged tree lined cliffs are one of the most beautiful outlooks we’ve enjoyed from anywhere.

You can drive right up to the lookout on the top of Mount Pitt for a 360 degree view around the island.  It was quite windy when we were up there but you’re effectively standing on the very top of a small rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean so a bit of breeze should probably be expected.

There are many gorgeous spots to watch the sun go down over the ocean from Norfolk Island.  One of the most popular is Puppies Point, a clifftop lookout on the west coast but for something different pack a torch and head down the trails to one of the many west coast beaches directly below or further along at Anson Bay.

Access to the KAVHA heritage area is free and if you head down in the evening you will see some of the buildings and ruins are lit up.  The only paid access is to the museums which are set up inside a few of the buildings and the morning’s guided tag-along tours.  For $25 (free for school-age children) you can purchase a ticket for unlimited entry to all of the museums and to join 2 tours at any time during your stay.

Another fascinating aspect of Norfolk Island is its history with at least 4 distinct periods of settlement with the island being abandoned and remaining uninhabited between each distinct period.  Two of these relate to Norfolk Islands convict history, it’s the oldest of 11 sites that make up the UNESCO world heritage listed Australian Convict Settlements.  The heritage region is in the south of the island known as the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).

This may sound an odd suggestion but it’s actually very much a step back in time.  There’s no deep water port for large ships to unload cargo on Norfolk Island and the reef down here on the southern side presents some challenges so it’s done as it was for centuries using wooden lighters.

A lighter doesn’t define a boat style as such, it’s simple a boat that makes ships lighter (go figure who came up with that) but the open wooden boats are in much the same style they have always been down here on Norfolk.  Presumably they were once rowed in to shore but are now towed to the wharf for unloading.  For bigger loads two lighters may be lashed together with the load placed across them and they are then towed in.

When a ship is in the harbour and the weather conditions are favourable a call goes out on the radio in the morning for the men to come down and get to work.  Definitely something to see if you are around when one’s unloading.

The lagoon at Emily Bay is the perfect spot for snorkelling and swimming.  There’s a sandy beach you can walk in from and be swimming amongst the coral and fish in a matter of minutes.  It’s very protected from the wind and rougher seas on the inside of the reef and bay.  Of course if you don’t want to get wet you can join the glass bottom boat tour and get a different perspective from on top of the water.  As if that crystal clarity, gorgeous crescent of sand and coral weren’t tempting enough, we were the only people on the beach!

Meet the goats and taste the organic goat cheese with Emily at the Hilli Goat Farm on the northern coast of the Island.  You’ll learn about the challenges of introducing a new animal to the island, goat farming and cheese making.  Equally good is getting to relax with great farm and coastal views and taste the cheese prepared in a variety of ways alongside other local produce.

It’s been a dry year this year so although the island is still very green compared to home in Australia the waterfall was more of a trickle than a cascade.  A trip out to this part of the north coast is still worth doing either way.  Drive up the dirt road and park in the paddock to explore.  Cross the creek over the rocks and climb the narrow hillside trail for some fabulous views.  If you’re not sure on your feet you may want to err on the safe side and skip the walk out to the edge and down to the beach as it’s just a cattle worn path on the edge of the hill.

It looks like some development work is going on to create a boardwalk and viewing platform on the western side which will be great when there’s rain as I would imagine the trail would become quite muddy and slippery.  Currently from the east you can climb up for some great views or make your way down to the base and beach below.  If the waterfall was flowing it would be well worth climbing down for the photo op but there are equally some good and relatively easy to reach viewing points above.

Pro tip:  Stop watching the cows and watch out for the cowpats!

Not only is this potentially the only golf course in the world on a UNESCO World Heritage protected area but there are spectacular coastal views from almost every fairway and green.  

Even if you’re not a golfer find time to stop in for a coffee or drink at the club house.  It’s an original convict building that was the last of the residences built in 1845 on Quality Row and was once the residence of the Stipendiary Magistrate, Samuel Barrow.

You don’t need to be a lifelong birder to join the GreenEyes birding tour.  Anyone with an interest in wildlife, ecology and natural history will enjoy spending the morning chatting with and learning from Margaret as she whisks you around some of the islands hidden gems.

We headed up to Mount Pitt first for an overview, then took a walk in the National Park and almost immediately spotted a small group of the endemic Norfolk Island Green Parrots, a bird that is currently the subject of an active conservation project .  These are very similar to the New Zealand Kakariki or red fronted parrot (kakariki simply meaning green in Maori), several other local species were found along with insects and trees that were pointed out to us with their relevance to the ecosystem on the island.  

Read more about our experience on the Norfolk Island birding tour

Heading out across the island we spotted a selection of other birds, some familiar to us from Australia, others more unique.  Our final stop was the west coast where Margaret was able to show us, amongst other things a great spot for the Masked Booby roosting on the clifftop.  A new one for our life list.

If you follow the walk around at the entrance you’ll come out on a deck that’s on top of the information centre with a seating area with wonderful views.  Bring a drink or a picnic and take some time to appreciate the solitude, like many parts of the island we appeared to have this gorgeous space entirely to ourselves.

The botanic garden was gifted to the island by a past resident for all to enjoy.  It showcases plants that are endemic to Norfolk Island and provides 5 different walking trails through various sections that range from the Boardwalk that is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers through shady forest and open woodland foliage to the Samson Circuit and Rainforest Gully Circuit that  are classed as moderate walks with some steep sections and stairs.  None of the walks are long and it’s worth spending a little time enjoying this natural garden oasis.

Around 10% of the island is dedicated to National Park stretching from the highest peaks to the specatular rocks of the northern coast.  There are several roads leading to the start of tracks in various parts.  

You can drive up to the lookout on Mount Pitt, the 2nd highest peak on Norfolk Island but if you want to make it to Mount Bates, the highest point, a full 2 meter higher in fact, you’re going to need to walk.  There are a couple of ways to do it, either park at the lookout and take the Summit track or head back down Mount Pitt Road and take the Mount Bates Track as we did.  If you’re a bird enthusiast it’s well worth doing as we spotted green parrots and a variety of other endemic birds along the easy grassed path.

A days fishing, or catching as they call it on the island is easily organised with various tours from the Visitors Centre in town .  We had the chance to try local seafood for several meals on the island but unfortunately rough seas beyond the reef and limited time meant we didn’t get out on a fishing boat this time.  Definitely something that would be on our list for another visit.

The monument marks the landing place of Captain James Cook landed on his second world voyage on 10 October 1774.  When you look out from here it’s not hard to see why he declared it “paradise”.  

If you’re feeling energetic, you’re in the National Park here and the web of National Park Walking tracks all join up but the most logical from here is around the cliff walk to Bird Rock.  You start on the Bridle track and take a left back toward the sea onto Bird Rock Track or Red Rock Link Track.  It’s steep in parts and can be a bit muddy after rain but there’s a rope to help with the more difficult bits and benches to rest and take in the view along the way.

The Captain Cook monument is on the north coast.  Follow the boardwalk from the carpark for western views towards Duncombe Bay then continue on down to the monument itself and the lookout beyond.  On a windy day it can be a bit blustery out on the point but the view from here is fabulous.

Given our interest in unusual art forms we couldn’t leave the island without seeing the Cyclorama, in fact it was literally a last minute exercise as we grabbed a lift back up there after we’d checked in for our flight home, the joys of island life, everything is a little more relaxed.  This is the only cyclorama we’ve been to but it’s a form of art that dates back to the 1800’s in Scotland and there are a number of them around the world, both historic and modern. Effectively they’re a continuous mural painted onto a curve of cylindrical surface.  The one on Norfolk Island is a modern version of a historic time and was created by two local artists, Sue Draper and Tracey Yager, to tell the story of Norfolk Islands history.  It took two years to create, complete with soundtrack and information boards and has an incredibly realistic effect.  The detail in each of the tiny characters in the painting is unbelievable.

If you have time you should also stop in to Queen Victoria’s gardens next door or have a bite to eat at the Hilli Cafe and Restaurant which we highly recommend.  Read more about our Foodie Favourites on Norfolk island .

There is a calendar of popular events covering every month of the year with activies covering the range of music, history, food, sport and nature there is something on offer for everyone. Whether you visit in January to watch the outriggers punch through the surf in the Ocean Challenge, in June to celebrate Bounty Day with the many island inhabitants decended from the mutineers, or in November for the Norfolk Island Food Festival or to join in with Bird Week,  you are going to find local events to attend.

The visitors bureau is open every day in  the middle of town so stop by and say hello,  they’ll quickly answer all your questions and tell you whats happening that week on Norfolk Island.

Eating on the island was, as always, a big part of our travel experience.  Before arriving we hadn’t appreciated the islands commitment to permaculture, the slow food movement and the internationally growing ‘eat local’ trend.  Norfolk Islanders and their tourism industry have fully embraced fresh whole food and turned their local produce into an asset.

You’ll find more detail in our article on our fabulous foodie experience on Norfolk Island  but we’ll highlight a few great options of where to eat on the island below.

Conveniently located in to heart of town are a number of cafes that make a fabulous breakfast, lunch or coffee stop.  We loved the coffee and food selection at The Olive  which quickly became our regular.  There are friendly staff and plenty of locals here too who were happy to have a chat about life on the island.  Just down the road opposite the information centre is the Golden Orb Cafe , their outside seating under the shade of a huge old avocado tree is a perfect spot to relax for a while and enjoy the perfection of local bacon smoked in Norfolk Island pine, this is definitely something you have to try while you’re here.

Local producers on the island also offer some great food experiences, on the north east coast is Two Chimneys Winery where you can stop by for a tasting at the cellar door but we’d highly recommend staying for lunch with one of Noelenes decadent and artistic platters packed full of tasty treats predominantly sourced from her own garden.  The Hilli Goat Farm on the other side of the island offers a substantial afternoon tea as part of their tour heavily featuring their delicious organic goats cheese produced on the property.

Looking for an upmarket dinner?  Fine dining with quality produce and creative flavour combinations are on offer at Dino at Bumboras .  Dean takes the best of what’s available on the island and uses it to create a constantly changing menu in their 1800’s era home.  The decor and atmosphere here is fabulous and a big part of your dining experience.  More centrally located but equally delicious is the Hilli Restaurant , you can dine here for lunch or dinner, or even sit outsite in their stunning garden for a Devonshire tea during the day.

You won’t find the big name hotel chains and multi-storey resort complexes on Norfolk Island, nor will you find backpacker hostels and camp grounds.  What you will find is a great range of self contained units and apartments, hotels, and holiday homes for rent to suit all price points.

On this trip we stayed at Broad Leaf Villas, it’s fully self-contained with everything you need if you choose to self-cater and has a deck overlooking the gorgeous garden.  There’s a separate kitchenette, lounge area, dining area, bedroom and full bathroom so plenty of room to be comfortable during your stay.  The units come with a phone with a $5 credit on just in case you need help during the stay as the manager isn’t on-site and ours came packaged with a cute little rental car to get around, you simply return it with a full tank of gas when you’re done.  We’d definitely stay there again and recommend it.

If you want to treat yourself to the 5-star experience then the Tin Sheds are the property we have our eye on.  A lot more luxe then they sound and a bit on the pricey end but they’ve won a number of awards, the units come packaged with airport transfers, a little convertible Fiat to drive around in, free WIFI and the reviews we’ve read and heard have been excellent.

Interested in other options?  Check out a broader range of Norfolk Island accommodation here.

There are really two ways you are likely to arrive on Norfolk Island, either fly or cruise.  The island doesn’t have a deep water port suitable for cruise ships which instead anchor offshore and bring visitors onto the island by tender.  This would be a fabulous experience but it’s very weather and tide dependent so often cruise passengers only see the Island in passing.

Most people arrive by air, Norfolk Island flights are offered by Air New Zealand out of Sydney, Brisbane and New Zealand.  Being located between the two countries it’s around 2.5 hours from Brisbane, Sydney or Christchurch and 1.5 hours from Auckland.

We flew over on the Saturday flight out of Brisbane.  After flying exclusively with Air New Zealand for many years of my corporate career I was still impressed (and a little homesick) to be in their lounge and aircraft again.  They’ve found the perfect balance between the professionalism needed for passengers to feel trust, and the friendly fun approach of their staff with small touches like their quirky welcome aboard safety video that make it clear this is the Kiwi airline.

With its stable sub-tropical climate Norfolk Island is ideal to visit all year round.  The island experiences only two main seasons, the wet winter from April through until August and a dry summer from September through until March.  Having said that we were there during May and while one day was a little overcast, rain didn’t impede our plans at all.

The water temperature is consistent through most of the year so snorkelling and water based activities aren’t out of the question in winter but you do want to bring some warmer layers especially for the evening.

• Rent a car to get around.  It’s an easy island to drive and explore on your own, do it at your own pace and have the incredibly scenic beaches and vistas all to yourself.  Some accommodation comes packaged with a rental car as ours did but if not it’s easy to arrange a rental in town for a day or the duration of your trip.
• Norfolk Island is part of Australia, it uses Australian currency,  power plugs and you drive on the left.  It is however a Pacific Island paradise with it’s own culture and history and it’s that uniqueness that makes it special.
• The Island doesn’t have GST (tax) so you can use the Tax Refund Scheme as you leave Australia on any qualifying purchases you are travelling with such as recently purchased electronics and photographic equipment.
• Internet coverage is very limited on the Island and we didn’t find any that was free.  It’s a great opportunity to unplug for a few days but if like me you get a little twitchy with no connectivity you can buy data cards to use.  At $5 an hour and probably with significantly slower download speeds than you are used to, you may still find you need to ration your social media usage during your stay.  Put the phone down and take it all in.
• Allow yourself a few more days than you think you need, for a tiny island there is heck of a lot to do here and you want to relax into island time and do it all without having to rush.

If you found this article useful please consider saving it to Pinterest. It makes it easy for you to find it again, it helps us, and it helps other travellers to find the information they are looking for.

If you have any questions we’d love to answer them, let us know in the comments below.  If you’ve been to Norfolk Island what did you enjoy most about it?

Our sincere thanks to Norfolk Island tourism for arranging our visit. As always all opinions, experiences and photography are our own.

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Friday 25th of February 2022

Hi on my way home today after 10 days "on island". Great summary of what to do and how to get around. Air New Zealand is not flying to Northcote Island as of late February 2022. Qantas is providing a great service via Sydney and Brisbane.

Toni Broome

Saturday 12th of March 2022

Hi John, we hope you had a fabulous time, it's so nice to be travelling again. The flights have been on and off over the past couple of years, it was rumoured to be coming back but the NZ opening has been delayed again so I will make a note to update with the current options this week. Thanks

Pauline Townsend

Monday 29th of March 2021

Just came on Sat have a great time apart for food in supermarkets the lack off ship to slow to take the the product off 3 days to unload

Tuesday 30th of March 2021

Are they unloading with the longboats down in Kingston? It's great to watch like a real step back in time but I imagine with the supply issues we are having in Australia and New Zealand over the past year that can only be amplified on the island. I hope it's resolved itself now, we found the local food on the island excellent but the limited basics would be an issue for self-catering.

Wednesday 27th of January 2021

This was very informative as my friend and I are planning on going in May 2022. Really well put together. Thank you

Friday 29th of January 2021

Thanks Joy, I hope you both have a fabulous trip.

E. Montgomery

Friday 17th of January 2020

Would love to travel to see Norfolk Island. how affordable is it for pensioner travellers?

Overseas destinations are a bit of a stretch on a fixed budget but it's relatively affordable and a popular choice for retired travellers from Australia and New Zealand.

Friday 22nd of November 2019

I’m heading there in early January for a week to check it out. Friends working as GP there now. I’m looking forward to painting those amazing scenery.... walking n beach seeing I’ve been in the Red Heart Centre of Oz for a while..

Wednesday 30th of December 2020

@Ming Lai, good morning, i have been to Norfolk Is 19 times and would suggest to you to take plenty of paint as the place is beautifull

The rugged coastline is such a contrast to Australia's red centre and a very different colour palette - have a great trip

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The ultimate travel guide to Norfolk Island

• Eat & Drink
• Destinations

Hidden like a gem in the South Pacific, Norfolk Island is a dazzling utopia of turquoise lagoons, luscious trails that wind through majestic Norfolk Island Pines, and a slow-food movement that produces some of the most flavoursome culinary delights off the mainland. Add to that a fascinating history, rare birdlife and a gentler pace of life that will leave you rejuvenated beyond compare, and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t visited the Australian island sooner.

Top things to do on Norfolk Island

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10 things you must experience while on Norfolk Island

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Attractions & activities

The Norfolk Island Golf Club is set within the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), one of eleven former penal sites located around Australia that have been declared a World Heritage Site. Not only is it steeped in history, but this golf course is as picturesque as they come. After the game, set yourself up with a wine or beer and lunch at the onsite café, Aunt Mary’s Kitchen, and marvel at the uninterrupted views of the Southern Ocean.

There are a number of attractions that invite visitors to delve into the fascinating history of Norfolk Island. Visit KAVHA , the heritage region on the south of the island, where all four of Norfolk Island’s settlements – the Polynesians, the two Penal Settlements and the Pitcairn Island settlers – were established. The remnants of which still survive today as a living heritage site that reveals the multi-layered history of the island.

The Norfolk Museum is set within four historical buildings: the Pier Store, Commissariat Store, No. 10 Quality Row, and the HMS Sirius Museum – that houses artefacts inside the former Protestant Chapel (built in 1840) from the First Fleet flagship HMS Sirius that was wrecked off Kingston Reef in 1790.

Once you’ve brushed up on the history of the island it’s time to marvel at the artistic feat of Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama : a 360-degree painting that depicts numerous scenes of the famous Bounty mutiny.

From history to food, stop by Hilli Goat farm for a tour of the clifftop home overlooking Anson Bay, meet the goats, learn about the cheese making process, sample the cheese and lotions, and enjoy a delectable tasting featuring dishes crafted with the farm-fresh produce. Alternatively, opt to visit Two Chimney Winery for a wine tasting accompanied by a sumptuous platter for lunch. Platters must be pre-booked.

Nature & beaches

Norfolk Island provides ample opportunities to explore its natural beauty. A colourful kaleidoscope of sea life awaits at Emily Bay Lagoon . Snorkel the sheltered reef off Lone Pine headland or swim with the kids in the calm waters – it is one of the safest beaches on the island, and has previously been named as one of TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Beaches in Australia.

Anson Bay isn’t recommended for swimming, but there is a winding track down to the beach that is not to be missed. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, return to the top to enjoy the views alongside a barbeque lunch.

The island is only 35 square kilometres in size but the National Park covers over five square kilometres of that land and provides visitors with over eight kilometres of walking tracks to traverse.

Take the 1.7-kilometre Bridle Track from the Captain Cook Monument along the coastline to the intersection of the Red Road Track. It’s classed as an easy to moderate walk with some steep sections to tackle, but the views make it all worth it.

There are also a number of beautiful walks through the Botanic Gardens , some of which are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. None of the walks are long or overly difficult, but we recommend the Samson Circuit and Rainforest Gully Circuit.

And no matter where you choose to walk, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the rare Green Parrot. The precious bird can only be found on Norfolk Island and has been brought back from the brink of extinction through the island’s conservation efforts.

But if you’re just after the views minus the walk, drive up to the lookout at Mount Pitt for a 360-degree view of the whole island. Or make your way to the Puppies Point cliff top to admire the sunset and stay for the stars – Norfolk Island is a Gold Level Dark Sky Town.

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Visiting Norfolk Island

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Getting there

Just under 2000 people call this 35-square-kilometre Australian island home. English is predominantly spoken, but the local language is a mix of Tahitian and colonial English inherited from the island’s bounty descendants.

Find Norfolk Island halfway between Australia and New Zealand in the middle of the South Pacific and 1677 kilometres north-east of Sydney. Australian travellers still require photo identification to enter.

There are regular 2.5-hour-flights to Norfolk Island from Sydney and Brisbane. It’s possible to get to Norfolk Island via a cruise, although this is often weather dependent as a tender is required to transport passengers to shore.

Getting around

A hire car is recommended as there is no public transport on offer. And while the island is small in size the terrain is too hilly to get around on foot. There is one taxi service on the island and bicycles are available to hire. Check with your accommodation to see if they offer rental car packages.

Time & money

Norfolk Island uses Australian currency with one Commonwealth Bank branch and ATM available. Pick up a local sim to make use of the local phone network and mobile data, or tap into the wi-fi hotspots in town or in your accommodation. They are one hour ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and daylight saving is observed on the island.

Shopping & amenities

Burnt Pine Shopping District is the epicentre of island activity – you’ll find cafes, restaurants, the Visitor Information Centre, hospital and retailers. Supermarkets and selected retailers are open seven days a week, but most shops close Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday.

Best places to stay on Norfolk Island

The best places to stay on Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island boasts heavenly appeal and the accommodation is just as dreamy. This gem of the South Pacific features a...

Self-contained units, apartments, independent hotels and holiday homes to suit a variety of budgets make up the accommodation options on Norfolk Island.

Stay at one of the six exclusive self-contained villas at Shearwater Scenic Villas . Set on seven hectares of private peninsula, each villa boasts sweeping views of the coastline. Choose between a one-bedroom and two-bedroom villa or get in quick to book the three-bedroom villa with private swimming pool. Make use of the barbeque – cook your freshly-caught seafood or local produce from town – and dine al fresco of an evening.

The Tin Sheds are more luxurious than their name suggests. The five-star award-winning accommodation features three self-contained units with wraparound verandas and access to the property’s Pleasure Centre – a heated swim spa pool, library, mini gym and therapy centre with infrared sauna and massage room. It is also only a few minutes’ walk from Burnt Pine Shopping District and within easy driving distance from all the main island attractions.

The Cumberland Resort and Spa is another popular accommodation option located within walking distance to the shops, cafes and restaurants in town. The four-star resort offers two, three and five-bedroom villas with en suite spa bathrooms. Facilities include a heated swim spa pool and an onsite day spa.

Flanked by glorious old oak and banana trees, the Forrester Court Clifftop Cottage boasts secluded oceanfront views, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, spacious terrace with barbeque, dining table and sun lounges. In addition to luxurious details like the espresso coffee machine and an oversized king bed – you’ll quickly feel at home within this spacious, clifftop property.

Where to Eat & Drink on Norfolk Island

Where to eat on Norfolk Island

Dine on everything from homegrown produce to fresh-from-the-sea fare, locally churned cheese and more on Norfolk Island....

Norfolk Island’s food philosophy can be summed up as grown consciously, ripened naturally, and consumed in season. Ninety-nine percent of its fresh food is grown in the rich volcanic soil of the island, the seafood is plucked fresh from the ocean, and locally-sourced meats, cheeses, coffee and honey also make an appearance.

Find the island’s edible bounty overflowing from roadside stalls; at the Saturday Growers Market and the Sunday Art and Craft Market (keep your eye out for the guava chocolates, local bacon and Hilli Goat products); and in over 30 restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops.

Start your morning at The Olive Café with a barista-made Campos Coffee. Pick from the extensive selection of brunch options – including the daily specials. Return for lunch or stop by the Prinke Ecostore for an afternoon coffee. The Golden Orb Café is another popular spot for breakfast or lunch – check out their blackboard for daily specials.

Treat yourself to a decadent high tea luncheon at Forrester Court. Drink in the views of Cascade Bay from the clifftop setting as you sip on sparkling wine, enjoy a selection of savoury and sweet foods followed by a pot of T2 tea, and a tasting of locally-distilled liqueurs to conclude the experience.

The wood-fuelled Argentine Perilla grill is Homestead Restaurant’s secret weapon. Seasonal produce, meat and seafood is cooked over embers to intensify the flavours and deliver a meal that truly sings on the palette. Be sure to order the restaurant’s Forager sourdough – it is wood-fired and naturally fermented – to see for yourself why it has its own cult following.

Alternatively, dine at The Hilli Restaurant (no connection with Hilli Goat Farm) for lunch or dinner, indoors or al fresco. Save room for the Baileys crème brulee served with mixed berry compote and caramel popcorn for dessert.

Stop by Black Anchor Bar for pre-dinner drinks – think Irish whiskey tasting flights, a rotating list of international craft beers and an extensive list of cocktails. The Castaway Hotel’s deck is also a beautiful spot to enjoy a sunset drink overlooking Mount Pitt. Their locally brewed ales and cider accompany the wood-fired pizzas and are likely to entice you to stay for a meal too.

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Tours & experiences for Norfolk Island

No matter your interests you will find a wealth of options to entertain on Norfolk Island – from fishing charters and bird watching tours to cheese tasting and ghost tours.

Join the Lantern Lit Ghost Tour through KAVHA at night to hear spine-tingling tales from the past, brought to life as you walk the historic streets with your knowledgeable guide.

Cheese-lovers need to book the Mootineers Cheese Tour to taste the feta, haloumi, creamy blues, camemberts and cheddars produced on the island by John Christian with the milk from his small herd of cows.

Embark on a bird-finding tour with leading bird expert, Margaret Christian, on a half-day tour through reserves, National Parks and private properties to spot the native and endemic bird species of the island – and morning tea is included.

For the more adventurous, head for the ocean on a guided scuba dive experience, or a sea kayak tour navigating around some amazing rock formations.

Learn about the life and work of author Colleen McCullough on a tour of her home, or observe stunning constellations on a Stargazing Tour where you will understand why Norfolk Island was coveted Gold Level Dark Sky Town by the Australian Dark Sky Register.

Catch some of that famous seafood bounty on a half-day Norfolk Island Fishing charter or private charter on board the custom-made Noosa Cat. Or hop aboard a Glass Bottom Boat Tour to view the underwater marine life on a one hour cruise that will have you enjoying the eco systems below within minutes of leaving the shore.

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• Tiwi Islands
• Moreton Island
• The Whitsundays
• Hamilton Island
• Hayman Island
• Kangaroo Island
• Bruny Island
• Phillip Island
• Rottnest Island
• Christmas Island

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Things to do on Norfolk Island

The Australian territory of Norfolk Island is an absolute gem, with pristine nature and quirky culture. Here are the best things to do on Norfolk Island!

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and loves exploring different parts of Australia.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today and has been a journalist for 20 years.

Last updated: December 22, 2021

The best things to do on Norfolk Island

Use the table of contents to jump down the article - or continue reading for all my tips on the best things to do on Norfolk Island.

Kingston museums

Historic buildings.

• Island tour
• Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama

Annual festivals

• Colleen McCullough's House

Norfolk Island National Park

Norfolk island botanic garden, birdwatching, snorkelling, fishing charters, phillip island, the hilli goat, platters by paige.

Within hours of arriving, I’m standing at the viewpoint at the top of Mount Pitt, looking out across Norfolk Island, and realising that this small Australian territory is much larger than I thought. It may be remote here but there are still lots of things to do on Norfolk Island!

For a long time, Norfolk Island was a bit of an afterthought for travellers – somewhere you would visit later in life when you had seen the world (and the rest of Australia). The average visitor here was a retiree who would see the island on tours.

Well, that’s all changing now. There are heaps of things to do on Norfolk Island for young and adventurous travellers, so you’re now seeing more of them visit. And the younger generation of locals are also starting innovative businesses and evolving the offerings here.

I want to share some tips for what to do on Norfolk Island, and the good news is that there’s a lot of variety – even beyond the island’s heritage (particularly the convicts and the early free settlers) that has always been a big attraction.

The backdrop for everything is the stunning nature, with opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing, and cycling. There’s also a large range of dining options, including some excellent restaurants using local produce.

You can fill your days with activities like golf or sightseeing, or you can just relax on the beach or in the national park. Even after almost a week on Norfolk Island, I still hadn’t managed to fit in everything I wanted to do!

World Heritage Site

Let’s start with the World Heritage Site on Norfolk Island because it’s the most important piece of history here. The large site on the waterfront is where the first convict settlement was established in 1788.

That first convict settlement continued until 1814, and then there was a second convict period from 1825 to 1855. Many of the buildings that are still intact here are from the later settlement.

The World Heritage area is officially called the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area , which is usually abbreviated to KAVHA (pronounced car-va). But you’ll also see it referred to just as Kingston.

There are four museum buildings within the World Heritage Site, collectively just called Norfolk Island Museum .

The first one is the Pier Store, which gives you a good overview of the arrival from Pitcairn Island of the descendants from the Bounty mutiny. But the main focus of the exhibition is on how the island community has developed over the years since.

The next museum is the HMS Sirius Museum, dedicated to the ship that was shipwrecked just a few metres off the coast of Norfolk Island. It was the flagship of the First Fleet and its loss threatened the existence of Sydney in those first few years. There is a fascinating collection of artefacts here that were retrieved from the wreck.

The third museum is Commissariat Store, where the main exhibition is about the convict settlements and includes the whips and leg irons from the particularly cruel years.

The fourth museum, called No. 10 Quality Row, is quite interesting because it shows how the Foreman of the Works lived during the brutal convict times. With elegant furniture and ceramics displayed, it’s quite a contrast to the prison!

A museum multi pass costs $35 for entry to all four museums at any time during your stay, plus two museum tours. Otherwise, single entry to a museum is $10.

Other than the four museums, there are lots of other historic buildings that you can see independently and for free – although many of them just from the outside.

Along Quality Row, there are the Georgian houses built between 1832 and 1847 for officers, and some of them are still private residences.

You’ll be able to see the beautiful Government House from the road, and it’s only open occasionally for public tours.

There are quite a lot of interesting buildings around the Kingston Pier precinct, including the site of the original Government House.

And one of the most harrowing sections to walk through are the old prison ruins where you still get some sense of the tiny hot cells that the convicts would’ve lived in (if you can call it living!)

One of the most striking parts of the Kingston World Heritage Site on Norfolk Island is the cemetery, which was established about 1798 with the first convict settlement.

It has a beautiful location, right on the beach with green hills rising up from one side. The marble headstones spaced out through the site give it a slightly eerie feel.

There’s lots of history here in the stories of those buried, from convicts on the First Fleet, British soldiers, descendants from the Bounty – right up to today, because it’s still the island’s main cemetery.

The World Heritage Site isn’t the only way to learn a bit more about the history and the culture on Norfolk Island. There are a few other Norfolk Island attractions that are worth your time while you’re here.

An island tour

Even if you’re a relatively independent traveller, I would recommend doing a general island tour when you arrive. It’s not just a good way to get an overview of where everything is, you’ll also learn a lot about island life from the local guide.

There’s much more to Norfolk Island than appears on a map and learning a bit more about the customs and the quirks will set you up for a more rewarding visit here (and you can ask all those questions you’re wondering about).

I would recommend this introductory tour with Baunti Tours or this orientation tour with Pinetree Tours.

Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama

The story of how the Pitcairn Islanders ended up on Norfolk Island is fascinating and goes back to the Mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. There are various ways to learn more about the story but one of the best is at Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama .

An unassuming gift shop reveals an enormous panoramic 360-degree painting that shows different scenes from the history. It was painted by two artists over the course of two years, with a third artist finishing the detailed faces.

It’s a great way to understand more about the founding of the free settlement on Norfolk Island, and is a special piece in its own right as well.

The people of Norfolk Island are very proud of their heritage and there are a few occasions throughout the year when they turn out in force to celebrate it. If you’re able to time a visit to be there when one of the Norfolk Island festival is being held, it’s worth joining in!

The first main one each year is Foundation Day, held on March 6, which commemorates the arrival of the original British settlers in 1788, who founded the first penal colony. There’s a reenactment of the boats arriving on the beach at Emily Bay.

The other biggest event is Bounty Day, held each year in June 8. It commemorates the day the Bounty descendants arrived on Norfolk Island from Pitcairn Island and there are lots of festival-style events, including a tradition of rolling down the grassy hill at Government House.

Throughout the year, there are lots of other events. There’s the food festival in November, for instance, and you can even celebrate Thanksgiving on Norfolk Island (a legacy from when US whalers were based here).

Colleen McCullough’s House

One of the most famous residents of Norfolk Island was author Colleen McCullough, who wrote dozens of books but is probably best known for the international bestseller The Thorn Birds .

She moved to Norfolk Island in the late 1970s and lived here until her death in 2015. Her husband Ric still lives in their house but it’s still opened several days a week for a tour that you can go on.

The tour is led by Colleen’s housekeeper and she’ll show you all the interesting art and artefacts that Colleen collected from around the world. The house is full of interesting furniture and other items, but it’s hearing the stories of life here that make the experience extra special.

The heritage gets a lot of attention but, for me, it’s the nature of Norfolk Island that is its main attraction. It’s an absolutely stunning island, with so many incredible landscapes and views. There are lots of things to do in Norfolk Island with the natural environment, but here are a few highlights.

The island has a surprising variety of ecosystems and there are trails that will lead you through each of them. Whether you’re looking for a short walk to a viewpoint or a longer strenuous trek for several hours, there’ll be something for you.

For a challenging hike with some of the best views on the island, I recommend taking the Bridle Track from Captain Cook Monument up to the Palm Glen Circuit Track, combining a couple of iconic trails.

There is a great trail that links the two highest points of Norfolk Island – Mount Pitt and Mount Bates. Although there is some uphill, it’s not as bad as you might expect, and you get amazing views over the island.

A pleasant walk that isn’t too long but still feels like a good distance is the loop trail at Hundred Acres Reserve. It leads to a lookout at Rocky Point where you’ll find a large number of birds during nesting season.

Many of the walking trails I’ve mentioned are within the Norfolk Island National Park , but there’s more than just hiking to do. The national park covers about 14 per cent of the island, and has done an excellent job of preserving the special flora and fauna found here.

First, you can pop into the Discovery Centre, which has exhibits about the natural history of Norfolk Island, especially the many species of seabirds that come here. You’ll be able to get a bit more information about what you’ll see in the park.

Then you can head to the Captain Cook Monument, which marks the spot James Cook and his crew landed in 1774. There’s a spectacular view of the rocky cliffs along the coast, but also tables and other facilities for a picnic.

And then there’s Mount Pitt. Although not officially the tallest mountain on Norfolk Island (it comes second by just one metre), it can be accessed by car, so it’s a good spot to come for a 360 degree view of the island.

There are a number of endemic species of plants on Norfolk Island and the best collection of them is at the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden .

It was once a private garden started by a keen local who wanted to collect the island’s unique species, but it’s now larger (almost six hectares) and is officially part of the national park, although it’s just outside the main boundary.

There are five different walking trails through the botanic garden, ranging from 90 to 600 metres long, so none of them takes very long. But they will lead you through different sections representing the variety of ecosystems of Norfolk Island.

I know I’ve mentioned birds a few times now and there’s a good reason for that – there are lots of them here! It makes sense, seeing as Norfolk Island is a good refuge of land in the vast Pacific Ocean for birds that migrate each year.

Of the seabirds that call the island home (permanently or temporarily), keep an eye out for the wedge-tailed shearwater, masked booby, and sooty tern (among many others). During the breeding season, they are usually hard to miss!

The most iconic bird is probably the green parrot – the symbol of Norfolk Island but usually quite hard to spot. You’re more likely to hear its distinctive call than see it.

The Norfolk Island morepork owl is another important species and almost became extinct when there was thought to be just one left. But by breeding with the New Zealand morepork owl, a hybrid has allowed the genes to survive.

While you might like to just look out for birds as you explore the island, there are specialty tours and activities for people with a particularly keen interest in birdwatching.

In the water

Of course, the nature of Norfolk Island doesn’t stop at the land. Being surrounded by water, it’s no surprise that some of best things to do on Norfolk Island involve the sea.

Because it’s part of Australia, it’s sometimes easy to forget that Norfolk Island is a Pacific island and parts of it feel a bit like Fiji or Vanuatu.

That includes the water – and Norfolk Island is an incredible spot for a swim. I’m actually surprised more people don’t come here for a beach holiday, considering everything else you get as part of the experience.

The most popular swimming spot on Norfolk island is Emily Bay, which is on the edge of the historic Kingston area. A sheltered lagoon with a large sandy beach, the water is crystal clear – but also calm and safe, making it popular with families.

On either side of Emily Bay are two other popular beaches – Slaughter Bay (it’s not as scary as it sounds) and Cemetery Bay (also not scary), but they get a bit more surf and can get rough sometimes. Because they’re big and have easy access, you’ll find most people at these three beaches.

But there are two other amazing beaches on Norfolk Island I want to mention. The first is Bumbora Beach, which you access along a wooden boardwalk from a dirt road. Surrounded by tall trees, it’s a beautiful spot where you’ll have to navigate some boulders near the shoreline to get out to the clear water.

The other is Anson Bay, with a dramatic setting of steep cliffs around it. The water is quite rough but still swimmable on nice days, and you’ll likely have it all to yourself. It makes for a special experience.

With pristine water and an abundance of marine life, Norfolk Island is great for snorkelling. Anywhere you can swim, you can snorkel, although a lot of people like to head to Emily Bay because the water is so calm, you’ll get better visibility.

Bring your snorkel and goggles over with you or rent them once you arrive. A lot of the accommodation providers will have them available for free or for a small rental charge.

If you’re looking for some particularly interesting places, that are a bit more challenging, consider The Chord and Crystal Pool – although get some safety advice from the locals before you head down.

As well as snorkelling, there’s also diving. I don’t think Norfolk Island is internationally famous as a diving location but it has some excellent spots. Much of the water around the island is officially a marine park, so the sea life is protected and is some of the healthiest you’ll ever see!

There are dive sites on the coral close to the shoreline, or there are some quite dramatic ones around Phillip Island. As well as all the fish, there are some quite impressive formations underwater.

The dive shop scene is still not massive here, but you should be able to arrange something with Norfolk Island Diving , if you’re interested.

While some people like to look at the fish – some people like to catch them. The fishing around Norfolk Island is fantastic and most people have no trouble catching something. It’s worth noting, this is because the fishing industry is carefully regulated and is all done in a sustainable way.

You’ll see locals just casting a line from anywhere along the shore, although spots like the Kingston Pier or Cascade Pier are particularly popular. Feel free to join them or find your own spot and you should be able to get yourself dinner.

But for the serious fishers, you’ll want to head out on a charter for a half-day or day trip with a local skipper who knows all the best spots. There are a couple of options, and I would suggest checking out Charter Marine or Advance Fishing to see what they can arrange.

You could easily come to Norfolk Island for a week and just relax – hanging out at the beach, eat and drinking, going for some easy walks. But if you want to get a bit active, here are a few suggestions beyond those I’ve already mentioned.

Golfing on Norfolk Island is something quite special! The course is not just within a World Heritage Site, but it’s right alongside a beautiful stretch of coast, with tall Norfolk Island pines growing within it. Some people fly here just to use the golf course!

The clubhouse of the Norfolk Island Golf Club was built in 1843 and was once the Stipendiary Magistrate. The actual golf course was established in the early 1900s and the club was officially founded in 1927. There’s a lot of heritage here, as well as some great holes to play.

It’s also very affordable – something visitors really appreciate. A round of 18 holes will cost you only $37. But even better value is to get a weekly pass for $90, offering unlimited use for seven days!

You might think that riding a bike around Norfolk Island would be a good idea, but I’ve got a word of warning – there are lots of hills! You’ll want to be quite fit if you’re going to do lots of cycling here.

However, riding an ebike changes the story. With that little electric motor doing most of the work up steep inclines, it’s really easy to navigate the terrain of Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island Fitness and Health (the local gym) offers ebike tours – you’ll get the rental and a personalised tour to some interesting spots that are easy to cycle to. It’s a good way to get some exercise, see some spots that tour buses can’t go, and have a bit of an adventure.

For a real adventure, you might want to consider a day trip to Phillip Island, the rocky island off the south coast of Norfolk Island.

It’s much smaller than Norfolk Island and, even though it’s just six kilometres away, has a completely different landscape. There’s less greenery and it has really striking red features (earning the nickname ‘the Uluru of the South Pacific’).

Phillip Island is uninhabited… by humans. This means it’s been taken over by seabirds and other animals, making it a really important natural reserve and a fascinating place to visit.

There are walks you can do on the island, and you can even stay overnight in a little hut near the coast. If you’re keen, a great option is this trekking tour of Phillip Island with Charter Marine.

Local businesses

The island is not huge and the community is tight. One of the best things to do on Norfolk Island is to meet some of the people who live here – and that’s easy to do if you pop into some of the local businesses.

Believe it or not, there was a time when people came to Norfolk Island just for the shopping. The overseas territory doesn’t have the same tax as Australia, so most things are much cheaper because it’s duty-free and GST-free.

It’s not quite what it once was, but the Bounty Centre is famous for (apparently) having the cheapest Lego in the world! It’s a huge store full of toys and games and is worth having a look at.

Along the main street in the town centre of Burnt Pine, you’ll find all sorts of stores, particularly clothes and some local souvenirs. From sneakers to knitwear, you might be able to find a bargain.

Many of the stores have been here for decades, but it’s worth taking note of some of the new businesses that are changing the culture of the island slightly. There’s Prinke Eco Store , which sells sustainable products and is trying to reduce waste on the island. And there’s also Slick & Sons , a traditional butcher that has been transformed by a new generation into a trendy food store.

There are lots of interesting small businesses on Norfolk Island, and you’ll discover many of them when you travel here. But one that’s worth mentioning in particular is the Hilli Goat .

Run by couple Emily Ryves and Zach Sanders, it is first and foremost a goat farm and produces cheese and other products from the animals. But it’s also more generally about sustainable food, and there’s also a vegetable garden and other products made here.

To show you all of this, the Hilli Goat runs a ‘Norfolk Whey’ tour of the farm, where you can feed the super cute goats, see the production process, and then taste some of the great local food.

If you’re looking for something casual, or perhaps something special, you could also get something from Platters by Paige .

Young local Paige Christian Adams puts together amazing platters of food to eat outside (or inside, I guess) and also lays them out in advance at scenic spots around the island. The way she prepares and decorates everything means it could be a casual picnic or a special event.

There are lots of really good restaurants on Norfolk Island, but sometimes you might want to do something a bit different or intimate.

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Visitor Information

Below you’ll find a brief summary of visitor information for Norfolk Island travel. Norfolk Island has lots to offer visiting travelers. Whether you’re looking to explore our history, pristine environment, culture, lifestyle, shops, cafes & restaurants or any combination of these, you’ll find plenty to do. Or simply do nothing at all, sit back & relax in the laidback atmosphere, the choice is yours…

If you’d like further information, have a specific question or would like to make a booking, please email us …

Accommodation

There’s a great variety of holiday accommodation available with Norfolk Island travel. On offer are options to suit every budget. So you can choose from a range of hotels, self-contained apartments, luxury cottages or villas, studios and holiday homes. Most places include a hire car or a bus transfer to and from the airport, enquire for your options.

Biosecurity (Quarantine)

The Biosecurity Act 2015 now applies to movements onto Norfolk Island and biosecurity import conditions apply to all goods arriving onto Norfolk Island. Consequently, you must declare certain food, plant material (including wooden articles) and animal products on your incoming passenger card. Ask a Biosecurity officer on arrival if unsure. For further information  EMAIL .

Burnt Pine Travel

Our office is located at 50 Ferny Lane, adjacent to the airport. Our office opening hours are 9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday & 9am-12:30pm on Wednesday. Because we’re based on Island, we’re a great source of information on Norfolk Island travel. Call in & see our friendly staff who can arrange all your holiday requirements.

Churches on the Island include the Church of England, Uniting, Community Church, Jehovah’s Witness, Bahai, Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist. The Visitors Information Centre located in the Bi-Centennial Complex has details of service times.

Norfolk Island enjoys a subtropical climate, with an average annual rainfall of 1328mm. We’ve got lovely summer days from 24°C that don’t exceed 28.4°C, with overnight ranges from 19-21°C. Our mid-winter temperatures range from 12°C at night to 19-21°C during the day.

Comfortable and casual day and night. We do recommend you pack a sweater and light nylon jacket even during the summer months as at times the temperature can dip during the evenings. Other handy items include strong shoes for walking, a torch for night outings, hat and sunscreen.

Communications

Norfolk Island offers a mobile phone service which is available by purchasing a local sim card. Some of the larger phone carriers have global roaming available on Norfolk. We do however recommend you check charges prior to your arrival as often the local service works out to be cheaper. Internet Wi-Fi cards can be purchased for use at hot spot areas around the Island and there are 2 small internet cafes located within the Burnt Pine town centre. The ”Norfolk Islander” newspaper is published every Saturday. The council owned radio station “Radio Norfolk” broadcasts daily on FM89.9 and AM1566. Some Australian digital TV channels are also available.

Currency used on the island is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth Bank has a branch at Burnt Pine along with the only ATM on the Island. There is an Australia Post shop on the Island which also provides Bank@Post facilities. Check the  Australia Post website  for details on the Bank@Post services. Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted. EFTPOS facilities are also available at most of the Island’s retailers

The speed limit around most of the Island is 50km/h, this reduces to 40km/h in the shopping centre and then 30km/h in part of the Kingston Historic area and around the school during school days. Please be aware of all livestock that roam the roads, they have right of way. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road and you’ll notice the locals wave passing vehicles. Called the “Norfolk wave”, we encourage all visitors to do the same.

Electricity

Mains voltage on Norfolk Island is 240 volts AC, 50 cycles with a three-pin plug, the same as mainland Australia. Diesel generators provide the Island’s electricity and as such a power surge protection device is recommended for electronic equipment, particularly computers.

Entry/Passport Requirements

Passports and visas are not required when travelling to Norfolk Island from the Australian mainland. However, photographic identification, such as an Australian Driver’s Licence, Proof of Age card or current Norfolk Island Document of Identity, must be produced for each passenger (including children) for clearance through Australian Border Force. A valid passport meets this identification requirement and is the preferred means of documentation to expedite passenger processing and provide passenger identification in the case of a flight diversion to another country. (courtesy Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities website) .

Passengers travelling from New Zealand require a valid passport.

Qantas operates 6 flights into Norfolk Island from Australia each week. Flights depart from Sydney every Monday, Friday and Sunday and from Brisbane every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Air Chathams fly from Auckland on a Thursday of each week from August to April. Schedules are subject to change without notice.

Food - Paddock to Plate

Fruit and vegetables are grown on the island, in season they are picked daily for you to enjoy! We’ve got over 25 eating out places creating delicious dishes with the freshest ingredients for you to experience. Add to the mix fresh fish, local beef, & small boutique products such as coffee, honey & cheese.

Geographical Location

You’ll find us 1610kms ENE of Sydney, 1456kms ESE of Brisbane, 1063kms NNW of Auckland and 772kms SE of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a small volcanic outcrop measuring 8km long by 5km wide and comprising 3855ha. There are two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, which lie to the south at a distance of 1km and 6km respectively.

KAVHA World Heritage site & Kingston Museums

The Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area comprises the sites of the Polynesian settlement, two convict settlements and the 1856 arrival area of the descendants of the Bounty mutineers. Georgian buildings and ruins make up the convict site and are part of the 11 convict sites of Australia. Of those 11 sites, Norfolk is the oldest and is now World Heritage listed. Kingston is also home to 4 museums that are open every day telling the stories of this island’s amazing history.

English is the main language spoken and you’ll also hear Norfolk spoken among the Islanders and other residents. Norfolk is a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions who settled Pitcairn in 1790.

Here’s a taste of the local language:

Australian Medicare now applies to the Island. Visitors who do not have a medicare card are highly advised to have private travel insurance. The Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service provides a GP clinic, dental clinic and 24 hour emergency service. A pharmacy is located in the Norfolk Mall. Although Medicare is available, we strongly recommend private travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances.

National Park

Explore the stunning scenery and rich diversity of bird life in the Norfolk Island National Park. Experience natural Norfolk Island on the variety of walking tracks that wind through stands of Norfolk Island pines, lush palm forests, along the coastal fringe & even beneath the tallest tree ferns on earth. Mt Pitt & Mt Bates, the two highest points on the island, offer incredible island views. Be sure to visit the Captain Cook monument and lookout platform for spectacular coastline views & make use of the picnic & BBQ facilities provided. From bushwalks to BBQ’s, the Norfolk Island National Park has something for everyone.

Norfolk Island Botanic Gardens

The botanic garden is a great place to explore and learn about Norfolk Island’s plants and animals. Wander through the cultivated gardens to see a display of Norfolk Island’s unique plants. Take a stroll along some of the beautiful walking trails to see the plants in their natural environment. Maybe even see some of Norfolk’s amazing birdlife, such as the endemic green parrot (a species found no where else in the world). Predominant among its trees is the stately Norfolk Island Pine which can reach a height of 57m.

Norfolk has approximately 1,800 citizens with roughly equal numbers of Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders.

Shopping and Island Markets

Burnt Pine is home to Norfolk’s shopping centre where usual shopping hours are 9am – 5pm. Some shops are closed all day Sundays, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Supermarkets are open 7 days: Foodland Supermarket closes at 6pm, P & R groceries and Paw Paws mini mart both close at 9pm. The island markets are held every Sunday morning from 8:30am – 11am. It offers local souvenirs, art and craft and home made cooking. The Farmers markets are held every Saturday morning from 7:30am – 10:30am and offer seasonal fruit and vegetables. Both markets are held in the Bicentennial Complex near the Visitors Information Centre.

Time Difference

Norfolk Island moved to the UTC + 11:00 timezone in October 2015. This generally puts us one hour ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time and one hour behind New Zealand Standard Time. Norfolk Island introduced daylight saving in 2019 commencing on the same day & time as Australia. 

The most practical way to get around the Island is via rental car, there is no public transport. A taxi service is available and operates on casual hours or if you have a good fitness level, mountain bikes are available for hire. Car hire is from approx. $35 per day, with a daily recovery cost payable direct to the car company. Some accommodation properties include a hire car (insurance and petrol are an additional expense).

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended that ALL passengers travelling to Norfolk Island from both Australia and New Zealand obtain adequate travel insurance. Although Medicare is available on the Island, we strongly recommend private travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. Being an Island, diversions or delays can occur due to adverse weather conditions and you may incur additional expenses as a result. Travel insurance may help cover costs for additional accommodation & other expenses should your travel not go to schedule.

Visitors Information Centre

Located in the Bicentennial Complex, Taylors Road, the Centre is open 7 days a week from 8:30am.

Norfolk Island is a great place to hold your wedding or renew your vows and then enjoy your honeymoon! On offer are stunning outdoor locations or choose one of the many Churches including the beautiful & historic St Barnabas chapel.  The usual wedding services such as florist, hair and make up, cars etc are available on the island and some accommodation properties even offer wedding packages.

*From www.norfolkisland.com.au, courtesy Norfolk Island Tourism

50 Ferny Lane PO Box 475 Norfolk Island 2899

Phone: +6723 22195 Email: [email protected]

ABN: 30 313 588 252

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Norfolk Island Travel Guide

Welcome to the taste2travel Norfolk Island Travel Guide!

Date Visited: November 2020

Introduction

Enchanting Norfolk Island may be small in size, but it’s huge on options. From swimming at pristine beaches to snorkelling, birdwatching, hiking, scuba diving on spectacular reefs, surfing in stunning Anson bay to deep-sea fishing or exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The island packs a lot in and that’s before you start rubbing shoulders with the friendly locals – descendants of those rebellious mutineers from the HMS Bounty. Norfolk Island is a rewarding destination for those who make the journey to this remote corner of the Pacific Ocean.

Sunset at Anson Bay, on the west coast of Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island has long been on my travel wish list but other, more exotic and distant destinations, kept getting in the way.  The current COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a ban on Australians travelling overseas, created a window of opportunity for me to finally visit the island. I’m happy it did!

It seems I’m not alone, with tourism to the island booming since Australians cannot travel overseas, but they can travel to Norfolk Island which is an ‘overseas’ Australian territory.

Tourism arrivals on the island are continually increasing, with Air New Zealand, the only carrier flying to the island, recently adding more flights to cope with demand.

A view of Emily Bay, the most popular swimming beach on Norfolk Island.

A trip to Norfolk Island from Sydney or Brisbane, the only two departure points to the island, allows visitors to breeze through the deserted international terminals on the mainland, to once again experience the joy of flying (on a two-hour flight over the Pacific Ocean), before disembarking onto the tarmac at an ‘overseas’ destination.

After your holiday, you then return back to Australia without the hassle of being subjected to a mandatory, and expensive, 14-day quarantine program. Nice! 

A view of the south coast of Norfolk Island from Headstone Point.

Once on the island, visitors are spoilt for choice with Norfolk Island offering activities for all age groups and energy levels. 

While the majority of travellers to Norfolk Island are elderly Australians – who appreciate the relaxed, slower pace of life on the island – there are plenty of activities for the more energetic.

Passing through this spectacular basalt archway on the north coast provided access to our scuba diving sites.

The underwater, volcanic formations, which lie submerged in the pristine waters that surround Norfolk Island, make for spectacular scuba diving . Amazing snorkelling can be found at many of the beaches, while the beautiful Anson Bay is a favourite beach for surfers . 

A fluffy Masked Booby chick on Norfolk Island.

On land, hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, cling precariously to the edges of high coastal cliffs, offering breath-taking views out to sea. It’s on these trails you’ll encounter nesting seabirds. 

Other hiking trails meander through the lush, green, interior forests of the Norfolk Island National Park . It’s along these trails that birdwatchers can spot the various endemic birds which have evolved in isolation over millennia. 

Completed in 1835, the Commissariat Store in Kingston is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.

History enthusiasts will love exploring the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale UNESCO World Heritage Site , the most intact convict penal settlement in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Then there is the fascinating story of modern settlement on the island with the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers relocating to Norfolk Island from an overcrowded Pitcairn Island. 

Norfolk Island’s Thanksgiving tradition is based on the American tradition, being introduced to the island by visiting, 19th-century, American whalers.

About half of the islanders today can trace their roots back to Pitcairn Island. Far from being mutinous, Norfolk Islanders are friendly, pleasant and welcoming. While driving on the island, other drivers you pass will wave at you, and it’s polite to return the wave – it’s call the Norfolk wave!  

A gravestone of an executed convict at the Kingston cemetery.

Despite being just 34.6 square kilometres (13.4 square miles), I spent a busy nine days on the Island and would recommend at least that amount of time in order to fully explore this sub-tropical, pristine, emerald isle.

Norfolk Island is located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia ( click to read my travel guide) – 1,412 kilometres (877 mi) east of Australia at roughly the same latitude as Evans Head in northern New South Wales.

A view of Philip Island (background) and Nepean Island (middle) from Norfolk Island.

Together with neighbouring  Nepean Island , and the more distant Philip Island , both of which are uninhabited, the three islands collectively form the Territory of Norfolk Island .

Like Norfolk Island, the mountainous Philip Island is volcanic in origin while flat Nepean Island is a raised slab of limestone seabed.

Norfolk Island is the eroded remnant of a basaltic volcano active around 2.5 to 3 million years ago. It forms the highest point on the Norfolk Ridge , part of the submerged micro-continent of Zealandia .

A map of Norfolk Island adorns a souvenir plate.

The Norfolk Ridge extends from New Caledonia to New Zealand. The central section of this north-south oriented ridge is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) long and 70 kilometres (40 miles) wide, and is almost entirely submerged. Only the volcanic tops of Norfolk and Philip islands break the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

The mostly submerged micro-continent of Zealandia. Source: Wikipedia.

The almost entirely submerged Zealandia is a mass of continental crust that subsided after breaking away from Gondwanaland between 83–79 million years ago.

It’s believed that this landmass, which extends from New Caledonia  to New Zealand , may have been completely submerged around 23 million years ago. Today, 94% remains submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean with New Zealand being the largest part of Zealandia that is above sea level, followed by New Caledonia.

There have been three periods of settlement on Norfolk Island – Polynesian ; British  and the Pitcairn Islanders .

Polynesian Settlement

Archaeological evidence shows that the island was inhabited by Polynesian settlers between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is unknown why this settlement ended but the island was uninhabited when the British arrived in 1788.

British Settlement

A view of the Old Military Barracks and other historic buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).

In March 1788, just five weeks after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney, the British established a settlement on Norfolk Island. It was chosen for settlement because Captain Cook, who first visited Norfolk Island in 1774, had identified the towering Norfolk Island pines as being useful for ships masts and the local flax as good for sails. Both plants turned out to be unsuitable for these purposes.

However, the island’s fertile volcanic soil and mild climate made it ideal for agriculture and farming, and Norfolk Island became a key source of produce for the newly-established Sydney colony.

Both convicts and free settlers made Norfolk Island their home until 1814, when the island was abandoned due to its perilous landing sites, isolation, and the fact that the Sydney colony was now established and didn’t need supplies from Norfolk Island.

The island lay abandoned from 1814 until 1825 at which time a decision was made to establish a convict penal settlement on the island. This marked the start of a dark period in Norfolk’s history, with the island becoming infamous around the world for the harsh treatment prisoners received.

During this period, ambitious building works were commissioned in Kingston. Many of these buildings have been restored and form the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale UNESCO World Heritage Site .

The second penal settlement began to be wound down by the British government after 1847 and the last convicts were removed to Tasmania in May 1855. The island was then entered into the British Crowns’ register of ‘ Abandoned Lands ‘.

Pitcairn Islanders

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific – 6,271 km to the east of Norfolk Island, the descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers had outgrown their home on tiny Pitcairn Island which is just 5 km 2 (1.9 square miles) in area.

Following appeals to the British crown, Queen Victoria allocated Norfolk Island as a new settlement site for the Pitcairn Islanders.

On the 3rd of May 1856, a British government-supplied ship relocated 194 Pitcairn Islanders to Norfolk Island, who arrived at their new home on the 8th of June 1856.

The Pitcairn Islanders originally lived in the abandoned convict buildings in Kingston before moving to their own 50-acre land grants, where they built homes and farms.

The descendants of the Pitcairn Islanders now make up about a half of the island’s population, and a walk through the rows of headstones in the islands’ one cemetery in Kingston show those who were direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers, with numerous gravestones bearing the surnames of Christian, Quintal, McCoy, Adams and Young .

The rest of the population is made up of Australian and New Zealand expats and a small number of people from other countries, especially neighbouring Pacific nations. The current population is about 1800.

Mutiny on the Bounty

A model of the ‘HMS Bounty’ at the Norfolk Island museum.

The story of modern settlement on Norfolk Island starts with the events which happened off the coast of Tonga on the 28th of April 1789 – the day that a Mutiny took place on the HMS Bounty .

The story of the HMS Bounty starts twenty years earlier, in 1769, when Captain James Cook discovered Breadfruit while visiting the island of Tahiti. At the time, the British government was searching for food crops which could be grown in the Caribbean to support their growing number of slaves.

After being discovered on Tahiti by Captain James Cook, Breadfruit was transported to the Caribbean by William Bligh.

Captain Cook, recognising the potential of breadfruit (which he referred to as ‘ bread growing on a tree ‘), proposed to King George III to commission a special expedition to transport breadfruit trees from Tahiti to the Caribbean.

In 1787, William Bligh , who had a reputation for being harsh and rude to his subordinates, was appointed Captain of the HMS Bounty and instructed by the Royal Crown to transport over 1,000 breadfruit trees from Tahiti to the Caribbean.

In December 1787, the HMS Bounty left England for Tahiti. Due to storms at Cape Horn, which prevented the Bounty from passing under South America, Bligh had no choice but to change course, approaching Tahiti via South Africa and the Southern Ocean, south of Australia. This added months to the journey and saw mounting tensions between Bligh and his crew, especially first-mate Christian Fletcher, escalate further.

Inside Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama, Norfolk Island. A 360° panoramic painting which depicts the story of the Mutiny on the Bounty and the Norfolk Island people. Source: Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama.

After a 10-month journey, the Bounty arrived in Tahiti in October 1788 and remained there for more than five months. On Tahiti, the crew enjoyed an idyllic life in a lush, tropical paradise and also fell in love with local Tahitian woman. Needless to say, when the time came to depart, the crew were very reluctant to leave.

On April 4, 1789, the Bounty departed Tahiti with its store of 1000 breadfruit saplings. On April 28, near to Tonga, Christian and 25 petty officers and seamen seized the ship, forcing Bligh and his loyalists into a small longboat.

They should have perished at sea, but incredibly, under Bligh’s command, the crew were able to reach the city of Kupang (today in Indonesian West Timor) – 5,800 km to the west of Tonga.

Bligh eventually returned to England and, as determined as ever, sailed once again to Tahiti to collect more Breadfruit saplings and deliver them to the Caribbean. Today, thanks to Bligh’s efforts, Breadfruit is a staple throughout the Caribbean and Central/ South America.

Further Reading: You can see one of the original Breadfruit trees, which was planted by Bligh in the Kingstown Botanical gardens , in my St. Vincent and Grenadines Travel Guide .

Meanwhile, Christian and his men attempted to establish themselves on the island of Tubuai in French Polynesia. Unsuccessful, they returned  to Tahiti where 16 mutineers decided to stay. Their time on Tahiti was limited as they were soon captured by the British and returned to England to face justice.

The original kettle from the HMS Bounty which was once used on Pitcairn Island and is now on display at the Norfolk Island museum.

Fletcher Christian and eight others, together with six Tahitian men, a dozen Tahitian women, and a child, decided to search the South Pacific for a safe haven. In January 1790, the Bounty arrived at the uninhabited Pitcairn Island, more than 1,600-km east of Tahiti.

Sixty-six years later, the small community had grown to a point where tiny Pitcairn could no longer sustain them, hence the relocation to Norfolk Island where today the descendants of those original Mutineers comprise around 50% of the population.

A park in Burnt Pine displays the handprints of islanders who have put their ‘Hands Up for Democracy’.

Controversy has always existed as to the exact status of Norfolk Island. Despite the island’s status as a self-governing territory of Australia, some Islanders claim that it was actually granted full independence at the time Queen Victoria granted permission to Pitcairn Islanders to re-settle on the island in 1856.

At that time, Norfolk Island was established as a colony separate from New South Wales but under the administration of that colony’s governor. In 1914 the UK handed Norfolk Island over to Australia to administer as an external territory, but as a distinct and separate settlement.

The Five Demands from the Norfolk Island democracy movement.

On the 19th of March 2015, the Australian government announced that self-governance for the island would be revoked by the Commonwealth and replaced by a local council with the state of New South Wales providing services to the island.

The reason given for this controversial move was that the island had never gained self-sufficiency and was being heavily subsidised by the Commonwealth, by apparently $12.5 million in 2015 alone. It meant residents would have to start paying Australian income tax, but they would also be covered by Australian welfare schemes.

Today, an active democracy movement exists which is fighting for full democracy to be restored to the island. In Burnt Pine, the ‘ Centre for Democracy ‘ is happy to explain the democracy demands of islanders to any curious visitor.

Also, in Burnt Pine, a small park has been created where the hand-prints of many islanders, who have ‘ put their hands up for democracy ‘, are displayed.

A protestor’s tent embassy has also been established on the grounds of the old Military barracks in Kingston.

The flag of Norfolk Island features a Norfolk Island pine.

The flag of Norfolk Island, which was approved for use by the Norfolk Island council in 1979, features a Norfolk Island pine in a central white stripe between two green stripes.

The flag of Nigeria.

The flag’s geometry is a triband with the central white stripe slightly wider than the two outer green stripes. The flag is very similar in design to the flag of Nigeria.

The Norfolk Island flag, fluttering in front of a row of Norfolk Island pines in Kingston.

The slowly disappearing Australian dollar is the official currency of Norfolk Island.

The official currency of Norfolk Island is the Australian dollar (A$) , which trades under the international currency code of  AUD .

Having the distinction of being the world’s first polymer currency , the currency is issued in bank notes of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The dollar is divided into 100 cents (c), with coins being issued in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c, $1 and $2.

All bank notes are printing in Melbourne by Note Printing Australia (a division of the Reserve Bank of Australia), who also print polymer bank notes for Central banks around the globe.

Banking services on the island are provided by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia which offers one modern branch, with an ATM, on the main street of Burnt Pine.

Like mainland Australia, most transactions on Norfolk Island are cashless with credit cards being widely accepted.

To check the current exchange rate between the Australian dollar and the US dollar, click  here .

Since many items are imported from mainland Australia, costs on Norfolk Island are slightly higher than Australia.

One item which is noticeably more expensive is petrol which costs A$2.14 per litre . Thankfully distances are small so, after a week of driving my rental car, I needed to top-up with just half a tank of fuel which still cost me about A$55.

Most goods on the island arrive by boat from Australia, but as the boat comes every 6 weeks, supermarket shelves can become bare towards the end of the delivery cycle.

Where possible, its best to buy local fruit and vegetables and self-cater. My apartment included a fully equipped kitchen where I could prepare the freshest of local produce, all of which is organic and full of flavour – much tastier than produce sold in Australian supermarkets!

A good shopping option is the weekly Farmers’ market which is held on the grounds of the Norfolk Island Visitors centre each weekend.

As you drive around the island, many locals have a produce box at their front gate where they sell homemade jams, chutneys, pickles, sauces and fresh fruit and vegetables. These are always unattended with payment made into an honesty box – making these one of the last places on the island where cash is required!

Norfolk Island Stamps – “Peace in the Pacific”.

Norfolk Island issues its own postal stamps and operates its own postal service. Rates are charged at the same rates as those in Australia with stamps being supplied by Australia Post, who also sell Norfolk Island stamps online .

Stamps from either Norfolk Island or Australia are valid for postage in either location. Stamps can be purchased at the one post office in Burnt Pine which is tucked away in the back corner of the P&R Grocery store.

Norfolk Island Stamps – “Bump-head Sunfish”.

Unlike many other Pacific Islands, who have flooded the stamp market with irrelevant stamp issues (e.g., “Lunar Landing”, “Disneyland Characters”, “Michael Jackson” etc), the commemorative and definitive stamps issued by Australia Post for Norfolk Island are highly relevant, featuring local fauna, flora, history and society.

Norfolk Island Stamps – “Early Botanical Art”.

Connectivity

Unless you have roaming enabled on your phone, you’ll find yourself in a network black hole on Norfolk Island!

Australian Telco’s, such as Optus and Telstra, have no presence on the island with all network and data services provided by the local operator, Norfolk Telecom , who offer a rather slow 2G network , although this is being upgraded to 4G. The scheduled ‘go-live’ date for the new 4G network is the 12th of January, 2021.

Wi-Fi coverage on Norfolk Island is limited, with free Wi-Fi normally offered by your accommodation provider. Local SIM cards can be purchased from Norfolk Telecom who offer a selection of data plans .

In Burnt Pine, the RSL club is the only place which offers free Wi-Fi while Norfolk Telecom operate a hotspot throughout the village, which is available to paid subscribers.

A view of Norfolk Island from Mount Pitt, the 2nd highest point in the Norfolk Island National Park.

As is the case with so many islands which have evolved in isolation, Norfolk Island is home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Of the 200 native plants found on the island, 40 are endemic.

While much of the island has been cleared of its original vegetation, the Norfolk Island National Park, Botanic Garden and 100 Acres reserve are home to most of the island’s remaining natural areas. These three reserves offer hiking trails which allow you to explore these natural wonderlands.

Norfolk Island Pine

Beautiful Emily Bay is surrounded by a forest of Norfolk Island pines.

The best known symbol of Norfolk Island is the iconic Norfolk Island pine ( Araucaria heterophylla ). Featured on everything from the territorial flag, stamps, souvenirs and so much more, the ubiquitous Norfolk Island pine is a common sight across the island.

A row of trunks from an avenue of mature Norfolk Island pines at Puppy’s Point.

With its classic ‘Christmas tree’ appearance, the Norfolk Island pine was always destined to be a popular ornamental tree and is now cultivated around the world.

It’s especially popular in Australia where rows of Norfolk Island pines line various beaches. The tree is ideal for coastal environments, being able to grow well in sandy soil and having a high tolerance of salt and wind.

Norfolk Island is a very green and clean destination with Norfolk Island pines framing every view.

Young Norfolk Island pines have upward-pointing branches which act to catch rainwater, directing it towards the trunk and hence the roots, while older trees have downward-pointing branches which have the opposite effect.

A Norfolk Island pine festooned with lichen Usnea.

Some pines are covered with lichen Usnea ( aka ‘ old man’s beard’) which give them the appearance of a Christmas tree covered in tinsel. For those who have spent time in the deep south of the United States, Usnea is very similar to Spanish moss. Like other lichens,  Usnea often grows on sick or dying trees due to the pre-existing loss of canopy leaves, allowing for greater photosynthesis by the lichen’s algae.

Norfolk Island Hibiscus

The Norfolk Island Hibiscus.

Native to Norfolk Island, the Norfolk Island Hibiscus (also known as White Oak ) is a common sight on the island, found along roadsides and hiking trails.

Thanks to its pretty flower and highly adaptable, hardy nature, the Norfolk Island Hibiscus, has been cultivated around the world, in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate areas, both in coastal and inland zones. Reaching more than 20 metres in height, the hibiscus is hardy to salt spray and is therefore excellent for coastal gardens.

Also in the hibiscus family is the Philip Island Hibiscus ( Hibiscus insularis) which is endemic to Philip Island but can be found in gardens on Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Tree Fern

Towering, Norfolk Tree Ferns, in the 100 Acres Reserve on Norfolk Island.

Soaring to a height of 20 metres (66 ft) or more, the Norfolk Tree Fern is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest fern in the world.

Endemic to Norfolk Island, and once extensive on the island, prior to European settlement, the fern today can be found in the gullies of the Norfolk Island National Park , Botanic garden and the 100 Acres reserve .

The endemic Norfolk Island green parrot in the Botanical garden.

Norfolk Island has no endemic mammals, and its only native mammals, two species of bats, are now extinct on the island.

There are 116 bird species on the island, some of which are endemic. The best places to look for birds are the along the hiking trails in the Botanical garden , the National park and the 100 Acres reserve .

Bird Watching Tour

“Norfolk Island … the birds” by Margaret Christian.

If you have any interest in birdwatching , the best thing you can do on Norfolk Island is to book a birdwatching tour with the local bird expert – Margaret Christian , who is the author of the book ‘ Norfolk Island … the birds ‘, the most comprehensive guide to the birds of Norfolk Island. Tours with Margaret can be booked through the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre .

Originally from mainland Australia, Margaret has lived on Norfolk Island for many years and is married to a descendant of Fletcher Christian. Margaret’s tours are informative and entertaining and, at no stage, was there any suggestion of a mutiny happening in her mini-bus, with everyone enjoying the tour.

A Masked Booby chick on the north coast of Norfolk Island.

Morning tea, which consisted of a freshly baked coconut cake and hot drinks, was served on the lawn at Margaret’s beautiful seaside property which is situated atop the sea cliffs which line the north coast of the island. The grassy grounds around her home are the favoured nesting grounds for Masked Boobies, with lots of fluffy chicks present during my visit.

Norfolk Island Green Parrot

The Norfolk Island green parrot can be found in the Botanical garden and the National park.

The most iconic of the birds is the endemic Norfolk Island green parrot . Once a common species, the green parrot was near to extinction in the late 1970’s due to habitat loss and the killing of eggs and young by rats and feral cats.

A concerted effort to reduce rat and cat populations by trapping, and the ongoing culling of the more aggressive (introduced) Crimson Rosella  has resulted in an increase in the green parrot population.

Crimson Rosella (Red Parrot)

A Crimson rosella, known locally as a Red parrot, sitting in a Norfolk Island pine.

A native of mainland Australia, C rimson rosellas  were first taken to Norfolk Island as cage birds during the first penal settlement. Known locally as Red parrots , they were reported in the wild as early as 1838.

As the number of C rimson rosellas increased on the island, the number of Green parrots declined. The more aggressive Crimson rosella acts like a playground bully, invading the nesting hollows of green parrots and deliberately smashing its eggs.

Currently, a culling program is underway to reduce the number of Crimson rosellas which is being conducted by a National Parks ranger armed with a shot gun. Photographing them is difficult because they are very weary of anyone pointing anything at them.

While the culling program is beneficial for the green parrot, some locals are against it as they like to see the colourful Crimson rosellas in their gardens.

Norfolk Island Grey Fantail

A Norfolk Island Grey Fantail on the Mount Bates hiking trail.

Found in gardens and forests across the island, the curious and mischievous Norfolk Island Grey Fantail never sits still, flitting their fan-like tail as they move.

Although endemic, the Norfolk Island Grey Fantail is very similar to the varieties of grey fantails which inhabit the mainland of Australia. Fantails are found all over Australia except for the central desert areas.

The fantail isn’t shy and will often follow you as you walk along hiking trials or might even buzz you just for fun. Thanks to its boldness, the fantail is the easiest of birds to photograph, perching directly in front of you while you get your perfect shot.

Masked Booby

An adult Masked Booby on Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island is a seabirds’ paradise, boasting access to the abundant ocean and safe nesting sites high on the steep volcanic cliffs and the numerous offshore islets.

Masked boobies, one of six species of boobies, are a common sight on the island, where they nest, on the ground, between August and February. These large and distinctive seabirds have a white body, black tail and a small black mask around their large yellowish beak.

Striking a pose! A fluffy Masked Booby chick on Norfolk Island.

The female lays two eggs in a shallow depression on flat ground away from vegetation.  New-born chicks, which are covered in white downy feathers, grow quickly, becoming nearly as big as their parents during their initial growth spurt. A favourite nesting site on Norfolk Island is at the end of Fisherman’s Lane, overlooking the north coast.

A Masked Booby adult and chick at a nesting site at the end of Fisherman’s Lane.

The chicks are born featherless, but are soon covered in white down. In an act known as s iblicide the second born chick generally does not survive and is killed by its elder sibling.

Further Reading: Interested in viewing other species of Boobies? You can view Blue-footed boobies , Red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies (which are the Masked Booby in the western Pacific) in my Galapagos Islands Travel Guide .

You can view the Brown Booby in my Cayman Islands Travel Guide .

A nesting adult White Tern in the 100 Acres reserve.

The White Tern is a common sight on most Pacific islands including Norfolk Island, to which it migrates to nest. The White Tern normally leaves the island in May to spend several months at sea, flying constantly before returning in mid-August to mate. The best place to see nesting terns is at the 100 Acres reserve .

A wide-spread seabird, the White tern is unique in that the female lays only one egg per clutch in whatever suitable depression she can find on a tree branch. Why waste time and energy building a nest when you can simply lay your egg directly onto a branch?

A White tern chick, clinging onto its branch for dear life, in the 100 Acres reserve.

If the egg isn’t blown off the tree, it stands a good chance of surviving and a fluffy chick will be born. Unable to fly, the chick must then hang onto the branch, which is often located in areas prone to gale-force winds, for the first two months of its life. Yes – two months!

After this time, and provided it hasn’t been blown off its perch, it is fully independent and able to fly.

Further Reading: In my Tuvalu Travel Guide , you can view more White terns, including one which was nesting outside the room of my guest house.

Red-tailed Tropic Bird

This curious Red-tailed tropicbird kept ‘buzzing’ me as I stood and photographed it on the sea cliffs at the 100 Acres reserve.

The Red-tailed tropicbird is one of three species of tropicbird which can be found on tropical islands around the world. The birds nest on Norfolk Island and are easily viewed in the 100 Acres Reserve where they build their nests on cliff faces and in protected crevices.

They can be seen performing acrobatics offshore from the reserve and, being curious, can fly close to investigate you.

Further Reading: Another of this species, the White-tailed tropicbird , can be viewed in my Bermuda Travel Guide .

Sacred Kingfisher

A Sacred Kingfisher at Balls Bay on Norfolk Island.

The dazzlingly beautiful Sacred Kingfisher can often be seen sitting on wire fences on the side of the road as you drive around Norfolk Island. The local name for the Kingfisher is ‘ nuffka ’, which literally means ‘ Norfolker ‘.

Sporting turquoise-coloured plumage with white underparts, the Sacred Kingfisher can be found throughout Australasia, the Pacific region, New Guinea and eastern Indonesia.

Norfolk Robin

A juvenile male Norfolk robin on Norfolk Island.

Endemic to Norfolk Island, the Norfolk robin , also known as the Norfolk Island scarlet robin , can be seen as a scarlet-coloured flash, darting through the forests of the Norfolk Island National park.

Juvenile males have rust-coloured breast feathers while mature males have bright red feathers.

White-faced heron

A White-faced heron on the golf course at Norfolk Island.

The White-faced heron is a common bird throughout most of Australasia, and has been recorded on Norfolk Island as a permanent resident for more than 100 years.

Scuba Diving

While the diving was a highlight, the boat journey along the dramatic north coast was one of the highlights of my visit to Norfolk Island.

For various reasons, Norfolk Island is a scuba divers paradise! The waters which surround the island lie within the Norfolk Marine Park which extends 700 km (430 mi) in a north–south direction and covers an area of 188,444 km2 (72,759 square mi), which means no commercial fishing anywhere.

A view of Cathedral Rock, a volcanic formation which features soaring basalt columns and a very narrow pass-through passage.

The island has no rivers, which means no rainwater runoff disturbing the clarity of the pristine water, and an absence of industry on the island means no industrial pollution .

The numerous dive sites of Norfolk Island feature submerged, ancient volcanic formations including many caverns and swim-throughs. Source: Norfolk Island Diving.

The one dive business on Norfolk Island is Norfolk Island Diving which is operated by the wonderfully laid-back, fully competent and always calm, Mitch.

The protected reefs which surround Norfolk Island are full of fish and healthy soft and hard corals. Source: Norfolk Island Diving.

You can contact Mitch through the Norfolk Island Diving website, the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre  or through his wife Sharyn Quintal, who is the owner of the Prinke Eco Store.

A two-tank dive with Norfolk Island Diving costs A$200.

Mitch and my two dive buddies, Sara and John, admiring the impressive views along the north coast of Norfolk Island.

Due to the fact that there is no safe harbour on Norfolk Island, all boats, including the dive boat, are lowered into the sea using a newly installed winch on Cascade pier.

Lowering our dive boat into the sea at Cascade pier.

From Cascade pier it’s a short 10-minute boat ride to the nearest dive sites.

We passed through this impressive volcanic archway on the way to one of our dives sites.

The boat ride along the spectacular north coast is a highlight in itself, with breath-taking, towering volcanic rock formations lining the way, including one basalt archway which we cruised through.

The boat ride to and from our dives sites was yet another amazing experience on incredible Norfolk Island.

Underwater, it gets even better with lots of ancient, submerged volcanic structures to explore, which include a number of amazing swim-throughs.

Sightseeing

Distances on Norfolk Island are short, with most places being a 10-minute drive from Burnt Pine.

Norfolk Island is approximately 8 kilometres by 6 kilometres in size. Most places on the island are a 5 to 10-minute drive from Burnt Pine, with little traffic, except for the occasional cow on the road. After 9 days of zipping around the island in my rental car, I’d consumed half a tank of fuel.

Norfolk Island Museum Pass

The Norfolk Island Museum Pass provides multiple entries into five properties as well as two guided Tag-a-long tours.

If you’re planning to visit a few museums, it’s best to purchase the Norfolk Island Museum Pass which, for A$35, provides access to four museums , the Norfolk Island Research centre and two guided Tag-a-long tours .

The passes can only be purchased from the Royal Engineers Office (R.E.O) bookshop which is located next to Kingston pier. The bookshop is also the departure point for the daily Tag-a-long tours which are guided tours, led by a guide who drives a mini-bus (for those without a car) while those with cars, tag along behind the bus in a convoy, which is the only thing on Norfolk Island which resembles rush hour traffic.

More like a village, Burnt Pine is the one and only town on Norfolk Island.

The one town on Norfolk Island, tiny Burnt Pine is more ‘village’ than ‘town’. The main street, Taylors road, which is lined with duty free shops and gift stores, is also home to one bank, one post office, one supermarket, three clubs (RSL, Bowling and Leagues), two petrol stations, six cafes and a few tour companies/ travel agents.

An important stop for any new arrival is the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre which is housed in the Bicentennial Complex on Taylors road. The friendly staff at the centre will provide you with a map and suggest a suitable itinerary for your visit. They can also make reservations for any activities you wish to do. The grounds of the centre host a Farmers’ market each weekend.

Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama

Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama is an amazing artwork which viewers walk inside to experience history in a unique way. The artwork is a large 360° continuous panoramic painting which completely surrounds the viewer and extends onto the floor. Painted in a realistic style and in perspective, the painting creates the feeling of being there in the scene. Realistic foreground props add a further optical illusion.

Inspiration to create this type of painting, based on the popular 18th century style of attraction, came from one of Fletcher Christians descendants. Marie Bailey, a 6th generation descendant of Christian, saw a cyclorama in Canada and thought it would be a wonderful way to depict the story of her famous ancestor and the Mutiny on the Bounty which led to the settlement of Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands.

Norfolk Island artists Tracey Yager and Sue Draper undertook the design, research and painting of the circular artwork, a two-year project. The attraction was completed in October 2002 and since then has become a popular way for people to learn the story of the Norfolk Islanders history and heritage.

Housed in the same complex, the excellent Hilli Restaurant & Cafe (see the ‘ Eating Out ‘ section for more details) provides one of the finer dining experiences on Norfolk Island.

Kingston is the administrative centre of Norfolk Island and has the distinction of being the second-oldest settlement in Australia, founded a little over a month after Sydney.

It’s also the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) which includes the ruins of the former convict penal settlement and a number of restored buildings from that settlement.

Queen Elizabeth Lookout

Located on Rooty hill, the Queen Elizabeth Lookout is the best place to gain an overview of the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).

The best place to gain an appreciation of historic Kingston is from the Queen Elizabeth lookout which is located on Rooty Hill road.

The lookout provides panoramic views of the historical houses along Quality Row which were built during the 2nd Convict settlement. The lookout was opened on the 11th of February 1974 by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the island.

Norfolk Island New Gaol

Remains of the main gate of the New Gaol in Kingston.

The convict precinct in Kingston was located along the sea front, under the watchful eye of the authorities on the nearby hill. The largest walled compound in this precinct is the New Gaol which was built in 1847. The ruins of the five pentagonal wings remain as does the impressive entrance gate and surrounding walls.

Commissariat Store

The former Commissariat Store today houses a museum and the All-Saints Church.

One of the main sights on Quality Row, the Commissariat Store was completed in 1835 and originally housed a liquor store and a general store in the basement, a storeroom and meal room on the 1st floor, an engineer’s store on the 2nd floor and a grain store on the 3rd floor.

In 1874 the building was converted into the All-Saints Church , but not before removing the 2nd floor to create a church with a higher ceiling.

The basement is home to the Norfolk Island Commissariat Store museum which features displays detailing the first and second settlements on the island.

The Commissariat Store was protected by fortified stoned walls.

Norfolk Island Cenotaph

Inaugurated in 1929, the Norfolk Island Cenotaph was originally erected to commemorate those who died in service or were killed in action in World War One.

Across the road from the Commissariat Store, the Norfolk Island Cenotaph was originally erected to commemorate the lives of those who died during WWI.

The men of Norfolk Island have fought and died in many wars alongside the British, including the Boar war (11 Oct 1899 – 31 May 1902) which is also included on the memorial.

Pier Store Museum

The canon from the HMS Bounty is one of the main exhibits at the Norfolk Island Pier Store museum.

The Norfolk Island Pier Store museum focuses on the third settlement on Norfolk Island – the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders.

Displays include relics from the HMS Bounty, including a canon, wedding ring, iron kettle and an ironstone platter. All of these were removed from the Bounty for use on Pitcairn Island and were then carried to Norfolk Island.

The Crank Mill

The Crank mill was built in 1827 to serve as the Commissariat granary.

Located next to the Pier Store in the convict precinct, the Crank mill was originally built in 1827 as the Commissariat Granary. A decade later a Crank was installed for the “punishment of men in irons”.

The crank was powered by around 100 convicts, who would work all day, under tortuous conditions, milling flour for the settlement.

Kingston Pier

Historic Kingston pier was constructed between 1839 and 1849 by convicts who worked in waist-deep water while wearing iron leg-chains.

Kingston Pier is located adjacent to the original landing site of Lt Phillip Gidley King, who first set foot on Norfolk Island in March 1788, just six weeks after the founding of the new colony in Sydney, Australia.

A view of Kingston Pier from the original landing place where Lt Phillip Gidley King first stepped ashore Norfolk Island in 1788.

The pier was built between 1839 and 1849 using limestone cut from the reef. The original design called for a longer pier but conditions proved impossible for the convicts who worked ‘ up to their armpits ‘ in rough seas while wearing leg irons.

Kingston Boatyard

A retired ‘Lighter’ boat in the Kingston boatyard.

Next to Kingston Pier is the Kingston boatshed and boatyard . During the penal settlement, the boatshed served as the Police Office . The boatyard is now home to some retired ‘Lighter’ boats which were used in the past to transfer goods to the island from ships moored offshore.

HMS Sirius Museum

A memorial to the HMS Sirius outside the HMS Sirius museum in Kingston.

Located in the former Protestant Chapel, in the compound adjacent to the New Gaol, the  HMS Sirius museum is dedicated to the HMS Sirius , flagship of the First Fleet, which was wrecked just offshore in 1790.

No. 10 Quality Row Museum

Considered a 1st class house, the property at No.10 Quality Row has been converted into a museum.

Fully restored in the 1980’s, No. 10 Quality Row was built as the residence for the Foreman of the Works and was completed in 1844. Its first inhabitants, Thomas Seller and Robert Orford, were responsible for the building programmes in Kingston. Today it serves as a museum which provides an insight into life on the island during the 2nd penal settlement.

The house includes period furnishings and a curious trap-door which is installed in the bedroom between two beds. Outside, the grounds features a beautiful colonial period garden including a Red Hibiscus (front-left corner of garden) which is over 150 years old.

A trapdoor in the bedroom at the No.10 Quality Row museum.

No. 9 Quality Row 

The beautifully restored “No. 9 Quality Row House” is home to the KAVHA Research and Information Centre.

Located next door, the fully restored Georgian house at No. 9 Quality Row is home to the KAVHA Research and Information Centre . The centre, which maintains a microfilm collection of original records dating back to 1788, is open to everyone and can assist those who wish to trace ancestors.

Norfolk Island Cemetery

Reminders of the convict penal settlement, including those who were executed, can be found in historic Kingston.

Norfolk Island has just one cemetery, located at Kingston, on the shores of the aptly named Cemetery Bay. All burials on the island, from the first settlement to the present day, have taken place here.

With such a turbulent past, a visit to the cemetery is a must, with gravestones from the 2nd settlement for those convicts who were executed, soldiers who were killed by convicts, civilians who were brutally murdered and other gruesome, tragic endings.

A gravestone in the Kingston cemetery for Dinah Adams, the eldest daughter of John Adams, one of the Bounty mutineers.

Gravestones from the 3rd settlement (the Pitcairn Islanders) are grouped together, with rows for members from the Christian , Quintal and  McCoy families.

The gravesite of Colleen McCullough, a famous Australian author who was a prominent resident of Norfolk Island.

One of the more famous recent residents of Norfolk Island, the Australian author – Colleen McCullough – is also buried in the cemetery in a very simple, unpretentious grave.

Murderers’ Mound

Located outside the eastern fence of the cemetery is ‘Murderers’ Mound’ – a mass grave.

Located outside the eastern fence of the cemetery (overlooking Cemetery bay), a raised mound of earth is the final resting place of twelve convicts who were executed for their involvement in the ‘ Cooking Pot Riot ‘.

Cemetery Bay

Cemetery Bay offers good bathing and snorkelling.

Adjacent to the cemetery is the aptly named Cemetery bay which is a popular swimming and snorkelling beach.

A view of Cemetery bay which is adjacent to the cemetery.

Norfolk Island Golf Club

Located in Kingston, the picturesque Norfolk Island Golf course is popular with residents and visitors.

Also next to the Cemetery is the very popular and picturesque Norfolk Island Golf Club which has the distinction of being the only golf course in the world located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The lush, green, course is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and features plenty of Norfolk Island pine trees as obstacles. The course is popular with locals and visitors, many of whom haul their golf bags to the island.

The golf club is housed in an historic building, at No 1. Quality Row, which was constructed in 1841 as the residence of the Stipendiary magistrate.

Bloody Bridge

A view of the convict-built Bloody Bridge on Norfolk Island.

Located a short drive beyond the cemetery, the gory-sounding Bloody Bridge was built during the 2nd settlement by convicts, to provide a safe passage over a stream which was prone to flooding.

The reason for its name is believed to be based on a story about the death of a convict work-gang overseer. Apparently, during construction, the convicts killed the overseer and entombed him in the bridge. The next day the replacement overseer saw blood oozing from the bridge.

The Salthouse

Built in 1846, the Salthouse at Emily Bay was designed to retain sea water which was evaporated to form salt.

Salt was a valuable commodity for any remote settlement, especially being used to preserve meat. The Salthouse at Emily bay was designed to retain sea water, which was then partially evaporated, before being moved into salt pans where the evaporation process was sped up using fire.

For snorkellers, the reef in front of the Salthouse offers excellent snorkelling .

Emily Bay and Lone Pine

Emily bay is the best swimming beach on Norfolk Island and offers very good snorkelling on either side of the bay.

A view of Emily Bay and the iconic Lone pine at Point Hunter.

How old is the iconic Lone Pine at Point Hunter? Apparently, it was featured in the first artist drawing of Emily bay which was painted by a member of the original landing party in 1788.

Swimming at beautiful Emily Bay should be done on a daily basis.

Slaughter Bay

A view of Slaughter bay which offers excellent snorkelling.

Located next to Emily bay, the much rockier Slaughter Bay offers excellent snorkelling.

Hundred Acres Reserve

The Hundred Acres Reserve is home to some impressive flora, including a number of towering Moreton Bay figs.

Located opposite an impressive row of towering Moreton Bay fig trees on Headstone road, the Hundred Acres Reserve is the largest remaining coastal Norfolk Pine and White Oak tree forest on the island.

A view of the South Coast of Norfolk Island from the 100 Acres Reserve.

The reserve features a circuitous hiking trail which descends to coastal cliffs where Red-tailed tropic birds and Mutton-birds build their nests. During the day, Red-tailed tropic birds can be seen performing their usual acrobatics offshore.

A soaring Red-tailed Tropicbird at the 100 Acres Reserve.

The trail through the forest passes under towering Norfolk Island pines, where White terns lay their eggs on exposed branches and Black Noddy birds’ nest on the higher branches.

Headstone Point

The memorial headstone at Headstone Point.

Named after a memorial marker for two soldiers who drowned while fishing in 1850, and whose bodies were never found, Headstone Point offers panoramic views from the top of 70-metre-high cliffs which rise above the west coast.

The view from the lookout at Headstone Point.

St. Barnabas Chapel

Completed in 1880, the very fine St. Barnabas Chapel was the principal church of the Church of England’s missionary work in Melanesia.

The beautiful St. Barnabas Chapel is all that remains of the once large Melanesian Mission which was established on Norfolk Island by the Church of England from 1866-1924.

Completed in 1880, the impressive stone chapel was built as a memorial to Bishop Patterson who was killed by natives in the Solomon Islands in 1871. It is considered one of the finest historic buildings in the South Pacific.

Part of the stained-glass rose window in St. Barnabas Chapel.

The opulent internal fittings include an incredible stained-glass rose window designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones who also designed the four windows in the apse which depict the four evangelists.

The wooden ceiling of St Barnabas Chapel was built to resemble the upturned hull of a boat.

The impressive wooden ceiling was built to resemble the upturned hull of a ship and is much more impressive when you know it has been assembled without the use of nails.

The 350 Willis pipe organ was built by Henry Willis & Sons of London in 1880 and shipped to the island in pieces.

The floor of the chapel is made from coloured marble which was shipped to the island in pieces and assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle, which was also the case for the pipe organ .

Puppy’s Point

A view of the west coast of Norfolk Island from Puppy’s Point Lookout.

Puppy’s Point offers stunning views of the west coast and the sea and apparently gets its name from the fact that the point looks like a dog when viewed from the sea.

Anson bay is a popular surfing beach and the best place to view a sunset on Norfolk Island.

Located at the top of the west coast, the dramatically situated Anson bay is the one surf beach on the Norfolk Island. Access is via a steep and windy pedestrian trail which descends down to the beach from the roadside carpark (near to where this photo was taken).

The sun sets directly in front of the beach, making this the best place on Norfolk Island to view sunset.

Interior & North Coast

Norfolk Island National Park & Botanic Garden

The best view of Norfolk Island is from the lookout on Mount Pitt, which is part of the Norfolk Island National Park.

Occupying a 6.50 km 2 (2.51 square mi) section of the interior, the Norfolk Island National Park and the Botanical Gardens were established in 1984 and are a highlight for those who have any interest in the fauna and flora of the island.

The highest points on the island, Mount Bates and Mount Pitt, offer the best views over the island and are a great place to get your bearings. You can drive to the summit of Mount Pitt, while Mount Bates is accessed via a hiking trail.

Captain Cook’s Monument

The Captain Cook monument and scenic lookout stand at the spot on the northern coast where Captain James Cook and his officers landed in 1774.

Located at the end of a lonely road on the north coast, the Captain Cook monument and lookout stand at the spot close to where Captain James Cook and his officers landed in 1774.

An obelisk, which was completed in 1953, commemorates the discovery of the uninhabited island by Cook. Beyond the obelisk, a lookout provides the most stunning views of the islands off the north coast which serve as breeding grounds for nesting seabirds.

A view of the north coast of Norfolk Island from Captain Cook’s lookout with the islands of (l-r) Bird Rock, Green Pool and Cathedral Rock.

Cascade Pier

There are no mooring facilities at Norfolk Island so vessels must be winched out of the water after every use.

Located on the spectacular north coast, Cascade pier is the 2nd of the two piers on Norfolk Island, and is the landing point for all shipments to the island. It is also the arrival point for all cruise ship passengers who are transferred to shore by tenders.

Due to the fact that there is no safe harbour on the island, all vessels are winched in and out of the water after every use. The photo above shows our dive boat being removed from the water after our scuba diving.

The Australian government has recently spent millions of dollars rebuilding the pier and installing a new, larger winch.

A view of Ball Bay on the east coast of Norfolk Island.

Ball bay is named after Rear-Admiral Henry Lidgbird Ball who discovered Lord Howe Island and was entrusted with shipping the first group of settlers from Botany Bay to Norfolk Island in 1788.

The bay is home to the island’s petroleum storage facility with tanker supply ships mooring offshore and refilling the tanks via a floating pipe.

Two Chimneys Wines

The small vineyard at Two Chimneys Wines on Norfolk Island.

Established in 2003, Two Chimneys Wines is the first and only winery on Norfolk Island.

The small vineyard is planted with five varieties of grape which allows the winery to produce a small amount of red, white and sparkling wines, all of which are available for tasting and purchase at their cellar door.

A selection of wines from Two Chimneys Wines, the only winery on Norfolk Island.

Two Chimneys Lookout

A view over the east coast of Norfolk Island from Two Chimneys reserve.

Around the corner from the winery, the road dead-ends at the Two Chimneys reserve which offers panoramic views over the east coast.

Accommodation

One of two bedrooms in my unit at the Cumberland Resort and Spa with a private garden and sitting area out the back.

For such a small island, Norfolk Island offers a wealth of accommodation options ranging from guest houses, hotels, self-contained apartments, cottages and more with all price categories covered. A useful starting point is the Accommodation directory on the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre website.

Most options are located in and around Burnt Pine, while further afield, various properties offer panoramic views of the islands’ dramatic coastal scenery.

Accommodation providers will arrange airport shuttle services, often through a local tour company, which often includes a complimentary half-day island tour .

The living room in my spacious unit at the Cumberland Resort and Spa.

While on Norfolk Island, I stayed for eight nights in a self-contained, 2-bedroom/ 2-bathroom apartment at the wonderful Cumberland Resort and Spa which is located in Burnt Pine. For a single traveller, it was way too much space, but I lapped it up!

The fully equipped kitchen in my unit at the Cumberland Resort and Spa.

The Cumberland offers a variety of room options with rates available on their website . I booked my room using booking.com which offered a discounted price at the time. While I stayed as a single guest, my apartment could comfortably accommodate 4 people and included a large outdoor area at the front and rear of the apartment and a large BBQ.

The outdoor area of my unit at the Cumberland Resort and Spa, which included a BBQ.

One of my bathrooms included a spa bath while a heated pool was also available for use.

One of two bathrooms, in my unit at the Cumberland Resort and Spa, which included a spa bath.

My room rate included a Resort rental car for which I had to pay the compulsory Norfolk Island insurance charge of A$32 per day .

Exploring Norfolk Island in my rental car from the Cumberland Resort and Spa.

I enjoyed my stay at the Cumberland Resort and Spa and definitively didn’t want to leave. If you want a home-away-from-home on Norfolk Island, which is a short walk from downtown Burnt Pine and includes excellent service and amenities, then the Cumberland Resort and Spa is highly recommended!

Food Glorious Food!

Food doesn’t come any more glorious than the flavour-packed, organic produce that is grown in the rich volcanic soil of Norfolk Island. Forget the bland supermarket produce found on mainland Australia, biting into anything grown on Norfolk Island is a pleasure for your taste buds.

Sampling this produce can be done at any of the local restaurants and cafes listed here.

Restaurants

The Homestead

Norfolk Island Trumpeter fish served in a Thai curry sauce at The Homestead restaurant.

If you choose just one place on Norfolk Island for dinner, it should be The Homestead restaurant, which is set in a beautifully restored island home, among the towering Moreton Bay figs adjacent to the 100 Acres reserve . This is the restaurant of choice whenever the island administrator hosts a dinner function for a visiting VIP.

The menu includes simple, local produce which is cooked on a wood-fuelled Argentinian Perilla grill, which infuses the food with a maximum of flavour. Meals are served with a side of homemade sourdough bread – Norfolk’s only wood-fired sourdough!

For dinner, I chose the grilled local Trumpeter fish which was served in a Thai curry sauce. It was divine!

The Homestead is open Thursday to Sunday for dinner .

Bounty Bar & Grill 

Norfolk Island Scotch fillet served at the Bounty Bar & Grill.

As you drive around Norfolk Island, you can’t help but notice the numerous cows grazing on the side of the road, although occasionally they wander onto the road and they know they have right-of-way!

If seeing all these cows makes you hungry for some island beef, the best place to head is the Bounty Bar & Grill where the selection of steaks will have even the keenest of carnivores salivating. I ordered a 300-gram Scotch Fillet which was cooked to pink perfection.

The perfect end to a meal, Kahlua Crème brûlée, served at the Bounty Bar & Grill.

The desserts are also worth mentioning, especially the Kahlua crème brûlée and, unlike most other places on the island, where kitchens close around 8 pm, the Bounty kicks on a little later.

Hilli Restaurant & Cafe

The warm and inviting Hilli restaurant and cafe on Norfolk Island, the perfect place for a lazy lunch.

Attached to the Cyclorama complex on Queen Elizabeth Ave, the Hilli Restaurant & Cafe is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays for lunch and dinner. ‘

The exposed walls of the Hilli restaurant were once typical of all homes on Norfolk Island.

The word ‘ hilli ‘ is a Norfolk Island word which describes a feeling of laziness, which is fitting for a restaurant that encourages you to unwind and relax over a lazy lunch.

One feature to note is the open, exposed walls which were once typical of all homes on the island – before the arrival of gyprock plasterboard.

Devonshire tea at the Hilli restaurant.

Prior to lunch, the Hilli restaurant offers a Devonshire Tea Service from 10 am, which features the most amazing scones, served with locally made Guava jelly and cream.

Norfolk Island Bowling Club

Located on the main street of Burnt Pine, the Norfolk Island Bowling club is the nicest of the three clubs in town. The modern restaurant serves standard club food with the kitchen closing at 8 pm.

Norfolk Island RSL Club

The Norfolk Island RSL is a popular place for food, drinks, entertainment and free Wi-Fi!

Also located on the main street of Burnt Pine, a short walk from the Bowling club, the Norfolk Island RSL club is one of the liveliest places on the island with live music, meat-tray raffles and meals served until 8 pm. It’s also the only place in town offering free wi-fi.

Breakfast at The Olive cafe on Norfolk Island.

As far as cafes go, The Olive is the main game in town. Located in downtown Burnt Pine, there is good reason this is the busiest cafe in town. From the excellent coffee to the amazing menu, The Olive never disappoints!

Especially recommended is their Coconut Bread which is served ‘Banoffee-pie-style’ with a thick slice of coconut bread, topped with sliced bananas, which are drizzled with caramel sauce then topped with whipped cream. All with zero calories of course!

The coffee loyalty card at The Olive cafe.

If you’re on the island for any length of time, it’s worth picking up the coffee loyalty card at The Olive which entitles you to a free coffee after 6 purchases!

High Tide Kitchen

Located on the main street of Burnt Pine, the High Tide Kitchen is a modern restaurant/ cafe which is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Most cafes on the island close around 2 pm so this is an ideal option if you’re looking for a late-afternoon caffeine kick!

The menu includes wraps, sandwiches, pasta, hamburgers, local fish and chips, cakes, milkshakes and much more.

Located in the heart of downtown Burnt Pine, Cafe Tempo is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, seven days a week and offers a menu brimming with tasty breakfast and lunch options.

The Golden Orb Bookshop & Cafe

The Golden Orb Bookshop & Cafe on Norfolk Island.

If you have any interest in Scuba Diving , you need to meet Jack, the owner of the Golden Orb Bookshop & Cafe which is located in the heart of Burnt Pine and is open from 7:00 am, 5 days a week (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Jack could be described as the Jacques Cousteau of Norfolk Island. Now retired from diving, Jack told me he has done more than 5,000 dives around the island. In the corner of the cafe is an antique diving tank with an old BCD-type apparatus attached. A true diving relic, Jack used this equipment on dives during the 1960’s.

Aside from fascinating diving tales, Jack is a master Barista, serving very good coffee while his wife cooks up a storm in the kitchen. As per the name, the cafe is also a bookshop which stocks every book every written on or about Norfolk Island. This is a favourite cafe with locals who like to gather around the big, communal outdoor table.

Prinke Eco Store

Sharyn (left) and Claire Quintal, the co-founders of Prinke Eco Store, at the Thanksgiving Food Festival in Kingston.

Under the command of the wonderful Sharyn Quintal, the Prinke Eco Store’s goal is to reduce waste on Norfolk Island. If you want a takeaway coffee, it’ll be served in a pottery cup which you are required to return to the store.

While no food is served, the organic coffee is full of flavour and Sharyn offers a small selection of organic, vegan sweet treats. I especially recommend the Brazilian Chocolate bar!

The shop serves as the island’s supplier of bulk organic foods with locals arriving with containers which they fill with homemade granola, nuts, herbs, spices and more. Apart from food, you’ll find some locally made products such as handmade soaps.

Beer tasting at the Norfolk Island Brewery.

The bar scene on Norfolk Island consists of three clubs – the RSL club , Bowling club and the Leagues club which line the main street of Burnt Pine, all of which wind down around 8:30 pm.

Two restaurants offer bars – the Bounty Grill & Bar and the Castaway restaurant which is the home of Norfolk Island Brewing the only brewery on the island .

At the time of my visit, there were seven craft beers available for tasting. In the interest of research, I tasted all 7! My favourite was the Coffee Dunkle , a dark, German-style beer with a strong coffee taste – the espresso-martini of the craft beer world.

Friday is the best evening for a beer tasting when the Castaway restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas , which pair perfectly with the craft beers. Reservations are recommended as pizza bases are limited!

Visa Requirements

A Norfolk Island souvenir passport stamp, issued by the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre in Burnt Pine.

Travel to Norfolk Island from Australia is considered domestic travel. There are no entry formalities on the island however a photo ID is required for travel. While many people travel with their driver’s licence, it’s best to take your passport in case your flight there or back is diverted to another country.

By carrying your passport, you can also get a souvenir passport stamp from the Norfolk Island Visitors’ centre in Burnt Pine.

Rather annoyingly, although the flight is considered ‘domestic’, you need to complete an Australian arrival card to enter Norfolk Island and then, on the return trip, you need to complete a 2nd Australian arrival card to re-enter Australia! You also need to pass through immigration and customs upon arrival in Australia! Crazy!

You can check the current visa policy of Australia on Wikipedia.

Getting There

Onboard Air NZ flight NZ912 from Sydney to Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island Airport ( IATA: NLK ) is the only airport on Norfolk Island. The original aerodrome was constructed in 1942 following a request to the Australian government from the United States Department of Defence which wanted an aerodrome for use by its heavy bombers during WWII.

The aerodrome was constructed by volunteers from New South Wales government departments and a team of 300 islanders. A second, cross-runway, was added in February, 1943.

The terminal at Norfolk Island Airport.

Controversially, the construction of the runways necessitated the destruction of Pine Avenue , a local landmark which consisted of about 500 towering Norfolk Island pines. The airport occupies about 80% of the best farmland on the island!

An Air NZ flight arriving at Norfolk Island airport.

Flights to the island are operated by Air New Zealand with several flights each week connecting the island to Sydney and Brisbane .

Normally bustling with travellers, a deserted International terminal at Sydney International airport during the Covid-19 pandemic. The flight to Norfolk Island was one of just 12 flights departing that day.

Travelling from Australia to Norfolk Island is considered domestic travel, however, all flights operate from the International terminals in Sydney and Brisbane.

Departing Norfolk Island on Air New Zealand.

The following airlines operate scheduled services to/from Norfolk Island :

• Air New Zealand – flies to/ from Brisbane and Sydney

Airport Transport

Shuttle services from/to the airport are provided by accommodation operators who often use the services of local tour companies such as Baunti Tours or Pinetree Tours .

Occasional cruise ships call at Norfolk Island with ships mooring offshore from Cascade pier , and local tenders providing shuttle services to shore. You can check the current cruise ship schedule here .

Getting Around

Cows grazing around my rental car on Norfolk Island.

Public Transport

There is no public transport on Norfolk Island.

There is one taxi available on the island, Uber Steve, who can be contacted at +672 3 53840 . Despite his name, you will not find Steve on Uber!

The best way to maximise your time on Norfolk Island is with a rental car . Driving is very relaxed with roads mostly free of traffic and cars able to park almost anywhere.

Norfolk Island is very laid-back! A place where locals don’t lock their cars and often leave their keys in the ignition with their windows wound down. It’s all very relaxed, everyone knows everyone and if someone did steal a car, where would they go?

A Norfolk Island license plate.

While driving on the island there are a few special road rules to note:

• Cows have right of way!
• The speed limit around the island is 50km/hr, while in Burnt Pine it’s 40km/hr. Cow grids on all approach roads mark the town limits and it’s here where the speed zone changes.
• Driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
• Seatbelts are compulsory.
• The  school zone speed limit is 30km/h which applies between the hours of 8.00am and 3.30pm during school days.

Apart from a handful of rental agents, many accommodation providers also offer rental cars. While on the island, I rented a car through my hotel – Cumberland Resort and Spa .

Car rental agents include:

• Aloha Rent-a-Car
• Eldoo Hire Car
• Borry’s Rental Cars
• Simons Water Rental Cars

That’s the end of my travel guide for Norfolk Island. I look forward to your feedback should you use this in planning a trip to the island. 

Safe Travels!

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Further Reading

Following is a list of my travel reports from the Pacific region:

• American Samoa
• Central Pacific Island Hopping
• French Polynesia
• Galapagos Islands
• Marshall Islands
• New Caledonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands

Norfolk Island Travel Guide Norfolk Island Travel Guide Norfolk Island Travel Guide Norfolk Island Travel Guide Norfolk Island Travel Guide

Author: Darren McLean

Darren McLean is an Australian, full-time, digital nomad who has spent 37 years on a slow meander around the globe, visiting all seven continents, 189/ 193 UN countries and 239/ 251 UN+ countries and territories.

He founded taste2travel to pique one’s curiosity and inspire wanderlust.

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Imagine a lush, beautiful island with sandy beaches, jagged cliffs and tall pine trees supported by a local community with a simple, laid back way of life. Norfolk Island is such a place. This green island paradise is found in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean and is just 35 square kilometers in size with 32km of coast line.

Holidays on Norfolk Island feel like you have been isolated from the rest of the world. The buildings have colonial architecture, a heritage from its English ancestors.

On Norfolk Island you will not find any railways, port or harbours, or even any busy roads for that matter. There are eighty kilometers of lane ways across the island and cows still have the right of way. When supplies come by ship, jetties on either side of the Island are used to send small boats out to the bigger ships to ferry in 5 tonnes of supplies at a time.

Norfolk Island Holidays

Despite its compact size and 'sleepy' status, Norfolk Island has a wide range of accommodation options located both in the town centre, up in the hills and along the coastline. Relax in clean fresh air with a hint of pine. Go for walks along the beach or wander through historical ruins. Sample a simpler way of life in lush, green surroundings. Norfolk Island accommodation offers all the usual hotel and motel style options as well as excellent apartment style and B&B accommodation options. No matter you choose to stay, you’ll always be within easy reach of shopping and dining, pine forests, beaches, activities and attractions and famous historical ruins.

The first arrivals were probably from outlying New Zealand Islands judging by the crude stone tools and banana trees left behind. The New Zealand flax plant was also thought to have been introduced by these early travelers.

Years later the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay, (New South Wales, Australia) in 1788, Lieutenant Philip Gidley King began selecting men and women whose fate it would be to colonize Norfolk Island. Convict settlements were established and abandoned till a group of rebellious men and beautiful Tahitians were given Norfolk Island as their home. read more

Norfolk Island Information

Located between Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, the symbol for Norfolk Island is the pine tree and this features on the territory's flag. Visitors to Norfolk Island can find ruins left over from convict settlements, over 170 native plants and ferns, and several types of sea birds that come to the island to breed.

Traditional Norfolk clothing has a colonial theme and most family names are English. Not all ancestors of the current Norfolk people are English, some ancestors were Polynesian. Visitors will notice a strong Polynesian influence on Norfolk Island, as seen in the local cuisine and the hula dance. visitor information

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Visitor Information Centre

The visitor information centre is your one stop shop for all holiday information and tour bookings. .

Pick up a map of the island, Eating Out guide, beach guide and a list of 101 Things to do!

Open 7 days a week, the Visitor Information Centre sells a great range of Norfolk Island books, locally crafted souvenirs, hand-made traditional hats, Norfolk Island flags, internet hot spot cards, postcards and postage stamps

Phone: (Local) 22147 (From Australia) 1800 214 603 (From New Zealand) 0800 667365

Email: [email protected]  

Hours of operation

Mon,Tues,Thurs,Fri 8.30am - 5pm, Wed 8.30am - 4pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am - 12.30pm.

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Owned & Operated by Friendly Norfolk Island Locals

In The Paper

Have you seen a Norfolk Island holiday package in your local paper? Below are some of our recently featured exclusive holiday deals, or event packages. Click on the package below to find out more.

Enquire About A Package

Hot deals - valid for selected travel dates up until 31 march 2025.

Trade Winds Country Cottages

Country-style cottages sit on extensive gardens that grow fresh produce available for guest use, Trade Winds Country Cottages offer the perfect island and country escape combined.

Crest Apartments

SAVE $700* – includes flights, car 2 tours & high tea! Apartment-style accommodation with stunning ocean views right from your front door.

Glencar Luxury Villas

Includes flights, luxury car, welcome platter, unlimited Wi-Fi & exclusive tour! Awe-inspiring views of Mount Pitt and the ocean, plus your own private plunge pool.

Christian’s of Bucks Point

SAVE $1840* – includes flights, car, welcome wine, breakfast items & 2 tours! This 3-bedroom heritage home will be exclusively yours during your stay.

Governor’s Lodge

SAVE $565* – includes flights, breakfast, car, free Wi-Fi, 2 tours & BONUS High Tea! Resort-style property with standalone cabins, swimming pool & 3 on-site dining venues.

Ocean Breeze Cottages

SAVE $580* – includes flights, car & 4 tours! Uninterrupted views of the ocean and World Heritage Listed Kingston.

The White House

Located in the prestigious Buck’s Point area, this Presidential, 5-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom hillside ocean view spa villa is for your Exclusive Indulgence – no other guests or neighbours.

Whitewood Sea

Relaxing escape with two standalone cottages with fresh and modern interiors.