Lord Howe Island

I think the pictures speak for themselves... honeymoon heaven... 12 years ago, 1 year anniversary & then 10 year anniversary (2 years late)...The list of things to do begins and ends with the amazing walks around the island, and any one of the knowledgeable locals will direct you to the well marked tracks. Some are a little bit less accessible than others with the 8 hr trek up Mt Gower (900m+ above sea level) requiring a guide,running only when the weather is a little kinder than some of these photos show.Then there's the prerequisite cycle. The only way tourists gad about the very short distances to ride (but sometimes are a little too far to walk). Hired usually the day you arrive except Saturday's which is when the outside of resort options are closed (no exceptions). You can hit the beaches, go swimming, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, scuba diving, etc... there's boat tours out to Balls pyramid, around the island, and in the lagoon to watch the turtles, down to Ned's beach to feed the fish (fish food, not bread!), And then there's the local haunts for breakfast, morning tea, afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails and dinner, with each resort providing transport too, and the venue usually providing transport from, or you can walk (umbrellas come with the units) & most also provide torches, an absolute necessity for night travel without a car! There are no real street lights, and dusk falls quickly and completely sans full moon.The island has the usual provision issues, so if you're after all of the products provided on the mainland then you may fall a little short, & not find all you are after. The supermarkets or stores, provide the basic necessities and be prepared for transport costs being factored in to the cost (as is quite reasonable). Fresh milk is not as accessible as UHT milk, and is quite tricksy to transport, also to be expected. The restaurants provide excellent meals, and the daily baked muffins at the Anchorage are to die for (& can last for more than one snack!)To say we're fans is an understatement, we will be going again, and can't wait to see the island again (I know, we just left, but could happily work there for a season or two), wonder if they'll ever open a high school?If the opportunity arises, then splurge out, fly out from Sydney, Newcastle or Goldcoast, and enjoy the short 1hr 45 min flight (unless of course the weather is recalcitrant and the plane can't land or is cancelled before it flies...travel insurance solves that issue).

Lord Howe Island was a life highlight. A place of stunning beauty, abundance of nature, tranquil clear waters, rainbow fish and turtles. Stunning. I can't do justice to how amazing this place is.

Lord Howe Island is a place of extraordinary beauty and natural wonders. Nestled in the Pacific Ocean, this remote paradise captivates with its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and lush greenery. The island's iconic twin peaks, Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, stand majestically, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The world's southernmost coral reef surrounds the island, inviting divers and snorkelers into a vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful marine life. The diverse ecosystems, including lush rainforests, crystal-clear lagoons, and secluded coves, provide endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. With its untouched landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and a serene atmosphere, Lord Howe Island truly embodies a slice of paradise on Earth.

Amazing views and crystal clear water totally recomend it to anyone

Excellent small getaway island off East Coast of Australia. Great for diving, surfing and challenging bush walks.

A unique pristine environment with tropical forests, coral reefs and stunning bushwalking with mountain views

What a perfect place to visit. The water is so clear, the views spectacular and the locals work really hard to keep the place looking spic and span. Lagoon beach is truely one of Australia’s most magical places

Probably not much I can add to the glowing reviews on the web.Wonderful place to walk & swim and chill out. A totally unique island with stunning scenery.It will not be 49 years again until my next visit. Wonderful to see so many children with their parents, and grandparents.

It's a very special place but on this trip we noticed more smelly trucks and cars than on previous trips.Prices are of course crazy high....grapes 26 a kilo mainland 3.50Extremely disappointed by the sudden closure of all trails, that ruined 5 years of planning our family hike up mt. GowerDidn't see their logic.

LORD HOWE ISLAND- a holiday with a difference.I have just returned from a week on Lord Howe Island and it is a paradise for conservationists and a remarkable place to see. Only one and a half hours flight time from Brisbane or Sydney, it is worth a visit.On flying into the island, I was immediately taken by its natural beauty and compared it immediately to the same island paradise of Norfolk Island that is a tourist’s delight. It only took one trip to the local museum (also acts as the information point) to realise the difference between the two.You don’t go to Lord Howe for a holiday although it is very relaxing and has golf, tennis, snorkelling, fishing just as the likes of Norfolk Island does but the difference is Ian Hutton. Ian visited the island in 1980 and stayed on as a naturalist and then conservationist. In his words…..“For me, living on Lord Howe Island is like living inside a David Attenborough documentary. Outside my front door is the Island rainforest – alive with the calls of rare endemic birds. A 30-minute walk through the palm forest and into the hills takes me to 200 metre high cliffs, and from there I can see many of the Island’s 14 seabird species, which breed in tens of thousands every year. The Island’s mountain summits are slightly less accessible, but where else on such a short trek, could one enter a mysterious “coal age” mist forest, clad with mosses, ferns and ancient flowering plants, most of which are totally restricted to that environment. Alternatively, if the mood takes me, I can motor out in my dinghy to the Island’s coral reef (in less than five minutes) and snorkel over a dazzling realm of colourful corals and fish, whose myriad variety stuns the senses.” -Ian HuttonThe island museum tells the conservation story visually or you can walk the island for days to see the results but he runs programs daily about the bird life, marine life, local flora and the changes that have been made to Lord Howe over the decades. The eradication of feral cats, goats and next year the rats that came 200 years ago. All man made problems for the local fauna and some species are now extinct because of it.But now, through his remarkable vision and work, the bird life is the healthiest in the world with 130 permanent and migratory species of land birds and seabirds. There are only 300 inhabitants on the island and only 400 guests are allowed at one time.His vast knowledge of conservation and its issues is worth listening to and students come from all over to learn from him. Indeed, over 20 were there from Wellington University in NZ whilst we visited and we sat with them during his enthralling lecture on birdlife. His informative documentaries he has made are also shown every day except Saturday and he is available to talk to you during or after the talks.I had the pleasure of shaking his hand before I left and thanked him for his passion, knowledge, devotion and achievements and I know when he asks the question of why he is here on this planet, then his work is the answer and proves he is in the one percent of humanity that truly excels in leaving a legacy for future generations.