Norfolk Island is an island in the South Pacific Ocean, an Australian territory. It is 1600 km (1000 mi.) east of Sydney and Brisbane and 1000 km (620 mi.) northwest of Auckland.
Towns
- Kingston (de facto capital)
- Burnt Pine
Understand
Norfolk Island was a penal colony for the British colony of New South Wales during the periods 1788–1814 and 1825–1855. In 1856 it was settled by former inhabitants of the second largest of the Pitcairn Islands. The Pitcairn Islanders were descendants of Fletcher Christian and Bounty mutineers, together with Tahitian women. Pitcairn Island was unable to support 200 inhabitants, and Queen Victoria offered them land grants equivalent to less than a third of the the available land on Norfolk Island.
Permanent residents of Norfolk Island are approximately a third of descendants of these Pitcairn Islanders; with the remaining residents split between people from Australia and New Zealand. The permanent population of the island is about 1300 people.
Get in
Domestic flights Flights between Norfolk island and the Australian mainland will be reclassified from international to domestic from July 1st, 2016 |
Norfolk Island's immigration control is separate from Australian immigration control and the island imposes extra restrictions on visitors above those imposed by Australia.
Australian citizens must either have a passport or get a Document of Identity from the Australian passport authority in order to travel to Norfolk Island. Citizens of other countries must have a passport. All visitors must hold a return airline ticket and have accommodation information to provide to immigration staff.
Citizens of Australia and New Zealand will usually be deemed to have been granted an unrestricted entry permit on arrival, which is valid until departure. Other international visitors must obtain a visa for entry to Australia. It must be valid for 30 days after you intend to leave the island and it must be a multi-entry visa, since leaving for and returning from Norfolk Island will be considered as a separate entry to Australia. See the Australia article for information on Australian visas. Longer term residency visas are available for people who want to work on Norfolk Island.
As with Australia, Norfolk Island bans the importation of many items of food, including but not limited to meat and fresh fruit. These restrictions apply to visitors arriving from the Australian mainland, and the customs requirements are not exactly the same as Australian requirements. See the Norfolk Island Customs [1] page.
By plane
Norfolk Island has a single airport (NLK IATA) occupying much of the south-west of the island.
Air New Zealand operates direct flights from Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane.
Flying time is 1h45m from Auckland, 2h15m from Brisbane and 2h30m from Sydney.
1 The airport is north west of Burnt Pine the island's commercial centre
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, [2] lists details of cruise ships calling at Norfolk Island. All passengers are ferried ashore using either the Ships Tenders or Zodiac inflatables - weather permitting.
Get around
There is no public transport system on Norfolk Island. While it is possible to walk the length and breadth of it, most visitors hire a car. In recent years, a taxi service has begun operation on the island. However, the viability of such a service on a small island is questionable.
It costs about A$45 a day to hire a car, A$20 a day for a scooter and A$15 a day for a bicycle.
Eldoo Hire Cars, Taylors Road, ☏ +672-324355, eldoo@norfolk.net.nf.
Aloha Rent-a-Car, New Cascade Road, ☏ +672-322510.
It is usual, when booking accommodation or a package that a hire car is included in the tariff. Basic insurance is sometimes included, but excess reduction, petrol and additional drivers are extra.
Talk
The official language of Norfolk Island is English and all the islanders speak it. However, among themselves they often use Norfolk, a language derived from the English spoken by the Bounty Mutineers and the Tahitian spoken by their wives. Norfolk is not readily comprehensible by speakers of any variety of English, including Australian or British English.
See
The Australian convict sites are inscribed on the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. On Norfolk Island, they are located in Kingston.
- 1 Anson Bay. Short but steep walk down to the beach.
- 2 Captain Cook's Monument. Nice views of a few small uninhabited islets. This is where the Bridle track starts.
Do
- 1 Yoga with Candida Langham (Peters Highway, opposite the Emergency Services building), ☏ 50811 , candida@ni.net.nf. Mon 17:30, Wed 13:30, Thu 17:30, Sat 15:00. Power Vinyasa (flow) Yoga. 12.50 AUD.
- 2 National Park. Many walks of various difficulty are available. The Bridle Track is especially beautiful.
- 3 Bumbora Reserve walk. Easy boardwalk leading to a beautiful bay.
- 4 Hundred Acres walk.
- 5 Botanic garden.
- 6 Phillip Island Trek, ☏ 23514 . Call Dave Bigg to make a booking as soon as you arrive since it depends on weather. 160 AUD per person (4 people minimum).
Buy
Norfolk Island's currency is the Australian dollar, and the currency symbol is $. Norfolk Island is not subject to Australian taxation.
See Australia for more on the Australian dollar.
As a result of the lack of many taxes and duties, Norfolk Island has acquired a reputation as a "shopper's paradise". The main (and only) street of Burnt Pine is lined on both sides with shops selling everything from clothes to toys to books, and shop assistants will always be forthcoming about exactly how much you stand to save over "mainland prices" (both Australian and New Zealand prices).
A number of shops are described as "department stores", which can seem rather quaint to visitors from big cities, as these shops are often no larger than the others. The difference lies in the slightly wider range of merchandise available. One of the true delights of shopping on Norfolk Island is that in many shops you simply have no idea what will be for sale.
On Sunday mornings, an open-air market is held in the carpark of the post office. Prices are comparable to those found in the shops, but some retailers choose only to sell at the market.
Locally produced items are beginning to form a reasonable sector of Norfolk Island's retail market, with homemade preserves being a particular specialty. Additionally, the ubiquitous Norfolk Island Pine (not really a pine at all) is to be found in keyrings, magnets and other trinkets. Pine products are normally quite safe to import to Australia or New Zealand, but always make it known to the seller where you're intending to take the product you've just bought, since it never hurts to be sure.
The distinctive Norfolk language is also the source of some retail value, with books being written on the structure and vocabulary, as well as audio CDs of songs written in Norfolk. Many books are shamelessly pitched at the wide-eyed (or wide-eared) tourist, but the work containing the most scholarship on the language itself is Speak Norfolk Today, by Alice Inez Buffett.
There is also a wide range of fictional and non-fictional books on Norfolk and the South Pacific in general available at most shops. The island's bookshop is The Golden Orb, which contains a section devoted to Norfolk and South Pacific literature.
Be aware that most shops are closed on Wednesday afternoons and also that those operated by Seventh Day Adventists are closed all day Saturday and Sunday.
Eat
Norfolk Island, unsurprisingly, is famous for its seafood, which is generally caught fresh by most of the restaurants on the island. The local trumpeter is a particular delicacy.
There is a wide range of other food available on the island, including both Italian and Chinese cuisine with plans afoot for an Indian restaurant to open shortly.
Local specialities also exist and are generally based on traditional Polynesian dishes. While some of these are served in the restaurants, tourists are often recommended to try a local progressive dinner at the homes of various islanders in order to experience most of these dishes.
Restaurant bookings can be made by telephone or by writing your name in the book generally located at the front door of the establishment.
Be aware that most restaurants are closed at least one night per week.
Special Dietary Requirements: Vegetarians can generally find palatable food at most restaurants, but are not specifically catered for anywhere. Vegans are not catered for anywhere. Kosher and Halal meals will be impossible to find, as there is no Jewish or Muslim presence on the island. Travellers with food allergies may be catered for at some restaurants, but this is not guaranteed.
- Special Events. Norfolk Island is the venue for a number of annual special events. One of the most unique and successful Festival is 'OPERA in Paradise' which features a week of large-scale opera concerts, more intimate matinees,champagne afternoon concerts and a traditional Island banquet and launch. Singers and classical musicians are brought in from Australia and New Zealand by boutique opera company, OPERATIF. This festival attracts hundreds of patrons each February primarily from Australia and New Zealand, but also from the USA, UK and SE Asia.
Budget
- The Foodland shopping mall contains a supermarket and a bakery. While many products are flown in from Australia or New Zealand, local produce sold here represents the cheapest self-catering option on the island.
- Ocean Blue, located at the Middlegate intersection, is a very cheap takeaway shop, offering solid hamburgers, chips and other staples of that ilk
Mid-range
- Barney Duffy's Charcoal Grill bills itself as "Norfolk's Best Steakhouse". While the competition for this title is not particularly strong, the steaks are of a very high standard indeed. Fare here is of the steakhouse variety, with various fish dishes available as well. The restaurant is named for the famous convict Barney Duffy and plays up on this link
- Norfolk Pizza serves a variety of pizzas and some pasta dishes, with the pizzas at least being able to be taken away
- Woodfired Pizza Pizza [3] offers a selection of gourmet woodfired pizzas and breads from around the world.
- 1 The Rock. Seafood and steak.
Splurge
- Dino's, located at Bumboras (roughly the other side of the island from most accommodation) is a high-quality Italian restaurant. Book early, as it is not open every night of the week and the tables go very quickly.
Drink
The local Distillery, Norfolk Island Liquors P/L, is found on Cascade Road and produces various liqueurs and spirits. Free sampling is available Monday,Tuesday,Thursday and Friday from 2.00pm - 5.00pm Also on the same premises is Cascade Soft Drinks, who manufacture produce a range of traditional soft drinks with old fashioned flavours, ranging from orange and lime flavours to pineapple and plum cola varieties.
Although there is a Winery on the island, it is currently importing wines from New South Wales under the Two Chimney's wine label whilst it is developing its vines for manufacture. As of 2015, they have been producing on-island a single variety of red for 3 years and have two other varieties of whites coming up soon. You can sample their wine at their cellar door on Two Chimneys Road or at Hilli's and Norfolk Blue.
Sleep
As the island's economy is based around tourism, there are myriad options for accommodation, ranging from basic one- or two-person rooms through to resort-style establishments with restaurants attached hosting seafood buffets. The commercial hub of the island, Burnt Pine, has a number of well-situated guesthouses central to most shops, while accommodation elsewhere is designed to capitalize on views and proximity to nature.
- Norfolk Island Holiday Homes, Taylors Road, Norfolk Island, 2899, ☏ +672350560, nihh@ninet.nf. A collection of 10 individual self-catered properties spread out in various private locations across the island.
Mid-range
- 1 Fletcher Christian Apartments. 3 1/2 star AAA rated. Rooms serviced daily. Centrally located in spacious, park-like grounds of subtropical landscaping. Shops, cafes, restaurants, clubs and visitor facilities all within short walking distance.
- 2 Hibiscus Crown Apartments, 75 New Cascade Road (New Cascade Road, just past the Police station and Library), bookings@hibiscuscrown.com. Check-out: 10:00. Self-catered facility
- Cascade Garden Apartments (New Cascade Road), ☏ 672 324020 , hyatt@cascadegarden.nf. Set in almost one acre of grounds, the extensive and colourful gardens featuring hibiscus, kentia palms and Norfolk pines. $130.
Splurge
- Forrester Court Clifftop Cottages. Is the only AAA 5 star-rated property on the island.
- Cumberland Resort and Spa. 4-star hotel, central location in tranquil garden setting, within 2 minutes of cafes, restaurants and shops, and 5 minutes from the beach golf, national park and historical area. Heated swim spa pool and sauna, free rental car, airport transfers, cable tv, tennis, etc. Package deals including airline and accommodation specials.
- Endeavour Lodge. Self-catering serviced apartments with ocean views from all apartments. Environmentally Friendly property. AAA Tourism 4 Star & Green Star AAA rated
- Poinciana Cottages. Located on the edge of town and is rated four stars by AAA rating
- Shiralee Executive Cottages. 4 1/2 star self contained cottages with the hire of convertibles included in the tariff.
Work
It is relatively easy to live on Norfolk Island, although you do have to adhere to some strict entry guidelines [4]. The island's economy is currently experiencing a downturn, so work may be hard to find.
Stay safe
Crime on Norfolk Island is very low, though not unknown. Most islanders think nothing of leaving their houses and cars unlocked. Always remember to exercise commonsense when doing this, though, as most criminals are opportunists and it is not unknown for criminals to take "working vacations" too.
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.
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.
Stay healthy
There are no specific health warnings for the traveller to Norfolk Island, aside from a general one not to overindulge at meals (which can very easily be done). Tap water is safe to drink without boiling.
Surfers and swimmers anywhere but Emily Bay should be very careful about the currents and wave heights. Neither activity is actually advisable, although some foolhardy visitors will do so anyway.
All visitors including Australian citizens should purchase international travel insurance.
Respect
As a general rule, always remember that some islanders are descended from the Bounty mutineers. Therefore, one must realize that some information can contain a certain 'spin' to promote localized fiction.
There are convict ruins dotted around the island, but resist the temptation to explore if the ruin is off-limits in any way, as there are periodic restoration attempts.
Connect
Unless you have an Australian SIM card with a roaming agreement with Norfolk Telecom, you'll need to get a local SIM. New Zealand SIM cards don't work on Norfolk Island.