Norfolk Island

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Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Kingston

Population

1,800

Government

Territory under the authority of Australia

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Languages

English, Pitcairn-Norfolk

Calling Code

+6723

Local name

Norfolk Island

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Introduction

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.

Brief History

Geography

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.

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 (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.

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 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.

Getting There

By Plane

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:

• 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). The maximum speed limit on the island is 50k/h (40 in town).

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

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)

Apartments

• Endeavour Lodge (158A Collins Head Road, Ph: 22100)

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

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