Norfolk Island

Introduction

Norfolk Island is a pristine island, populated mostly by the descendants of the "Bounty" mutineers who left the Pitcairn Islands for more space, provides the opportunity for visitors to unwind.

Although getting to Norfolk Island is not cheap, expenses on the island are minimal and visitors to Norfolk Island will enjoy a tranquillity and peace that only this level of isolation can provide. Activities on the island include bush walking, mountain biking, golf, scuba diving and low-tax shopping.

Brief History

The first European known to have sighted the island was Captain James Cook, in 1774, on his second voyage to the South Pacific on HMS Resolution. He named it after the Duchess of Norfolk, wife of Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk (1685-1777). The Duchess was dead at the time of the island's sighting by Cook, but Cook had set out from England in 1772 and could not have known of her May 1773 death. In 1786 the British Government included Norfolk Island as an auxiliary settlement, as proposed by John Call, in its plan for colonization of New South Wales. During the 18th and 19th century, it was used as a penal settlement just like Australia before.
On 8 June 1856, the next settlement began on Norfolk Island. These were the descendants of Tahitians and the Bounty mutineers, resettled from the Pitcairn Islands, which had become too small for their growing population. The British government had permitted the transfer of the Pitcairners to Norfolk, which was thus established as a colony separate from New South Wales but under the administration of that colony's governor. They left Pitcairn Islands on 3 May 1856 and arrived with 194 persons on 8 June. Although some families decided to return to Pitcairn in 1858 and 1863, the island's population continued to slowly grow as the island accepted settlers, often arriving with whaling fleets. After the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, Norfolk Island was placed under the authority of the new Commonwealth government to be administered as an external territory. During World War II, the island became a key airbase and refuelling depot between Australia and New Zealand, and New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. In the late 1960's a mini-invasion by British ex-pats followed after the island was featured on a BBC television documentary presented by Alan Whicker. Fifty families decided to emigrate from the United Kingdom to Norfolk Island as a result of the programme. In 1979, Norfolk was granted limited self-government by Australia, under which the island elects a government that runs most of the island's affairs. As such, residents of Norfolk Island are not represented in the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, making them the only group of residents of an Australian state or territory not represented there. In 2006, a formal review process took place, in which the Australian Government considered revising this model of government. The review was completed on 20 December 2006, when it was decided that there would be no changes in the governance of Norfolk Island.

Geography

Norfolk Island is located 1610 kilometres northeast of Sydney, Australia and 1,063 kilometres north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. It is a 8 by 5 kilometre volcanic outcrop totalling roughly 3,855 hectares. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1 kilometre and 6 kilometres respectively.

Islands

• Norfolk Island is the main island and by far the largest
• Philip Island and Nepean Island are both outlying islands

Towns

• Burnt Pine is the major settlement on Norfolk Island.
• Kingston is the capital. Government House and other government buildings including the court are located there.

Sights and Activities

Diving and snorkelling

One of the best activities on Norfolk Island is diving. The waters around Norfolk and the smaller islands of Nepean and Philip offer over 30 world-class dive sites, offering caves, tunnels, chasms and chimneys with a wide variety of fish and marine algae. Visibility is at least 20 metres but usually more and the temperature of the water hoovers around 18 to 20 at least, more in summer. Snorkelling is popular at the reef near Emily and Slaughter Bays at low tide. There is abundance of fish, coral and sea life. In Emily Bay, you can also joing boat tours with glass-bottom boats.

History

Apart from the great nature and marine life there is actually som fascinating history which is very important to the local population. Prove of this you will find in its restored historic buildings, museums and cemeteries. Probably the most popular place and definately the highlight is the historic settlement of Kingston which was built by convicts from the second penal colony established on the island. Also the old cemetery at the eastern end of Quality Row is worth a visit.

Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Gardens

The lovely Norfolk Island National Park and the adjacent Botanic Gardens offer some great walking trails. On the way, you will enjoy the fantastic views from the top of Mount Bates (321 metres) and Mount Pitt (320 metres). You can also visit the Museum of Natural History in this park. Much of the island can be explored on foot by walking one of many bush and coastal tracks which are all well signposted.

Other sights and activities

• Fishing - great waters for fishing, but only when the tide and weather are both ok
• Birdwatching - try spotting the rare Norfolk Island Green Parrot
• Meet descendants of Pitcairn people - Much of the population are descendants of Fletcher Christian and the Bounty mutineers

Events and Festivals

Weather

Norfolk's climate is subtropical with an average rainfall of 1,328 mm per year. Summer days range from 24 °C - 28 °C, with nights around 19 °C - 21 °C. In winter temperatures drop to around 19 °C during the day and 12 °C at night.

Getting There

By Plane

Norfolk Island Airport (IATA: NLK, ICAO: YSNF) is the only airport on Norfolk Island. Air New Zealand flies here several times a week from Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney.

A $30 departure fee is payable at the airport on day of departure.

Travel times are:

• Sydney - Norfolk Island : 2 hours 30 minutes
• Brisbane - Norfolk Island : 2 hours 10 minutes
• Auckland - Norfolk Island : 1 hours 45 minutes
• Newcastle - Norfolk Island : 2 hours 30 minutes

By Boat

There is no regular passenger service to Norfolk Island by sea. Cruise ships occasionally call at Norfolk Island. The local shipping agent, Transam Argosy, lists details of cruise ships calling at Norfolk Island. All passengers are ferried ashore using either the Ships Tenders or Zodiac inflatables – weather permitting.

Getting Around

By Car

Car hire is reasonably priced and as there is no public transport, it is also the most convenient. Options are Rent-a-Car (Ph: 22656) or Martin’s (Ph: 22021). Driving is on the left, with a speed limit outside Burnt Pine of 50 km/h and inside Burnt Pine of 40 km/h (30 km/h in the school zone). Seatbelts, while fitted to all cars, are rarely used and rarely necessary. When driving outside of the town, remember that cows and other animals have right of way. Also remember to watch out for the "Norfolk Wave", a wave (ranging from a raised index finger off the steering wheel through to an enthusiastic movement of the arm) used by all locals to greet passing traffic.

By Bicycle

A limited number of bikes can be hired through the tourist office, or by calling Bill’s Push Bike Hire (Ph: 22551)

Red Tape

All visitors arriving on the Island must have pre-booked accommodation or be staying with friends or relatives to be able to enter Norfolk Island through immigration. All visitors travelling to Norfolk Island must have a valid passport and a return airline ticket. Australian citizens who do not have a passport can obtain a Document of Identity through Australia Post. Australian and New Zealand passport holders can enter Norfolk Island without any further documentation. All other International Passport holders must be able to obtain an Australian Visa for entry to Australia prior to entry to Norfolk Island.^[1]

A $30 Departure Fee is payable at the airport on day of departure.

Money

See also Money Matters

Norfolk Island uses the Australian Dollar (AUD). Australian Dollar notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 and coins come in 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2.

There are two ATMs on Norfolk Island.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Apartments and Villas

• Broad Leaf Villas - Beautiful, modernly appointed AAA 4-star and eco-friendly star accredited accommodation villas. Peaceful valley setting, close to restaurants, town centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site. A superior choice in boutique self contained accommodation on Norfolk Island.
• Endeavour Lodge (158A Collins Head Road, Ph: 22100)

Guest Houses

• Governors Lodge (Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Ph: 24400). Offers 55 individual one-bedroom 4½-star fully serviced cottages.
• Highlands Lodge & Cottages (Selwyn Pine Road, Ph: 22625)

Hotels

• All Seasons Colonial (Ph: 22177)
• Castaway Hotel & Apartments (Ph: 22625)
• South Pacific Resort Hotel (Taylors Road, Ph: 23154)
• The Hillcrest (Ph: 22255)

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Norfolk Island. There is one exception though. You need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Norfolk Island) where that disease is widely prevalent.

It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Norfolk Island. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and when travelling longer than 2 weeks also typhoid. Vaccination against hepatitis B is also sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Dengue sometimes occurs as well. There is no vaccinations, so buy mosquito repellent (preferably with 50% DEET), and sleep under a net. Also wear long sleeves if possible.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Crime on Norfolk Island is very low and many islanders leave their houses and cars unlocked. Still, crime is not unheard off but usually is nothing more than petty theft.

Emily Bay, located near Kingston, is the only safe location to swim on Norfolk as it is protected by a natural coral reef. All other bays are unpatrolled and have unpredictable conditions. A Norfolk tradition is that of the "Seventh Wave", the unpredictable rising in wave height which can sweep unwary swimmers out to sea.

Keep Connected

Internet

There are 2 internet cafés in Taylors Road and wireless broadband is now available across large portions of the island.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• The Guides to Norfolk Island
• Norfolk Island Travel Website