Lord Howe Island [1] is an island territory of the Australian state of New South Wales situated in the Tasman Sea some 550 km east of the mainland. Lord Howe Island was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1982 on account of its beauty and biodiversity.

Understand

Geography

Lord Howe Island is crescent-shaped, approximately 10 km long and 1.5 km wide at its greatest width. The island forms the top of an extinct underwater volcano and seamount, projecting above the surface of the ocean. It has the southern-most coral reef in the world.

History

People

The population of Lord Howe Island is approximately 350 people. Only 400 tourists are permitted to visit the island at any one time.

Get in

By plane

Lord Howe Island is approximately 2 hours direct flying time from Sydney, Brisbane and Coffs Harbour. Connecting services are available from most Australian state capital cities. Regular services are offered by Qantaslink.

This flight is one of the most expensive domestic flights in Australia, but one of the best value on Qantas Frequent Flyer points (only 8000 from Sydney) - so give it a go and try getting a seat.

See

Do

Lord Howe Island is very much geared up for outdoor recreation: bushwalking, trekking, guided and self-guided walks, fish feeding, swimming, surfing, Scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, birdwatching and reef walks are all popular. Sports are also an option: golf, tennis and bowls especially. Deep sea, rock and shore fishing charters are available. For the more laid back, options include picnics, BBQ's, bicycling and dining out. Available for hire are golf clubs, tennis racquets, bicycles and helmets, Scuba and snorkelling gear, paddle skis and spyboards.

NB: Spear fishing is not permitted.

Buy

A variety of small stores on the island carry groceries, liquor, fruit, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, clothing, souvenirs and snacks. There is also a small hairdressing salon, limited beauty and masseur facilities and arts and crafts. You should note that island prices are generally somewhat higher than mainland prices owing to freight costs.

Australian currency only is used on Lord Howe Island - foreign currency and travellers cheques are not generally accepted or processed on the island. Credit cards are accepted widely but not everywhere (have cash or a cheque book as a back-up). There are no ATMs on the island.

Note: Foreign currency and/or travellers cheques are not processed on Lord Howe Island.

Contact

Mobile phone reception does not extend to Lord Howe Island. Landline telephone, fax and internet services are readily available at a number of public outlets.

Australia Post has a postal agency on Lord Howe Island open from 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. From September to May, airmail is dispatched and received every day except Friday. In the winter months, mail is dispatched whenever flights operate. Surface mail arrives fortnightly by ship from Iluka in northern New South Wales.