Travel Guide > Oceania > Norfolk Island
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 is not cheap, expenses on the island are minimal and visitors to Norfolk 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.
Norfolk Island is located 1610 kms north-east of Sydney, Australia and 1063 kms north-west of Auckland, New Zealand. It is a 8 by 5 km volcanic outcrop totalling roughly 3855 ha. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1 km and 6 km respectively.
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.
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.
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 (321m) and Mount Pitt (320m). 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.
Norfolk's climate is subtropical with an average rainfall of 1328 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.
Norfolk Island Airport (IATA: NLK, ICAO: YSNF) is the only airport on Norfolk Island. Two airlines service Norfolk Island with regular flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle and Auckland. Norfolk Air flies from Sydney and Brisbane every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, from Melbourne every Friday and from Newcastle every Monday. Air New Zealand flies from Auckland every Thursday and Sunday.
A $30 departure fee is payable at the airport on day of departure.
Travel times are:
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.
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). The maximum speed limit on the island is 50k/h (40 in town).
A limited number of bikes can be hired through the tourist office, or by calling Bill’s Push Bike Hire (Ph: 22551)
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.
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.
There are 2 internet cafés in Taylors Road and wireless broadband is now available across large portions of the island.
See also International Telephone Calls
This is version 16. Last edited at 9:29 on Sep 21, 09 by Utrecht (+156). 6 articles link to this page.

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