Ozi2  

I have been to Norfolk Island, though years ago, went with my mother and grandmother.  Beautiful place, and full of history.  We stayed in self catering apartments then.   The reason we went was mainly for the historical side,

Howe Island is much smaller, sounds expensive though.  You should now with internet be able to get a good deal.   There are lots of tours on Norfolk, well worth going on.   Hire of car is essential, so you can buzz around.  All cows have right of way on island.  The true locals speak a type of pidgin polynesian, they are descentants of Fletcher Christian.   

And other mutineers from the bligh muntiny.   And they are also related to the Pitcairn islanders, (you have to have a permit to go there). 

Alot of their revenue from these islands come from stamps.

All goods are duty free.   I have a diamond and sapphire ring mum bought there for about $120   its now worth over $1000.   Italian shoes, and pringle knitwear can be purchased quite reasonably.

The famous fish fry dinner is still run.  Worth going to.

Colleen McCullough lives there with her nz husband Rick, though she is not well at the moment I hear.

The island is only 5 miles by 3 miles, so

you can get around quite well, swimming in Emily Bay is nice, and visiting the famous bond store.

Walking along the beach you will surely bump into locals gathering seaweed, and other shell fish,  .

The island was named after the Duke of Norfolk ( who funnily enough my husband Howard is related to).  Arundel Castle.  (through Catherine of Howard who was one of King Henrys wives).  Arundel Castle is where Brideshead revisited was made.  

I could tell you a lot more.  It would be a quiet strolly holiday, but very interesting an relaxing.

 

 

HI  ..

 

Had a week at Norfolk.  That was about the right amount of time for us ... though a fortnight might give a bit more time to relax.

Apart from the hasels in getting there due to weather conditions, it was fantastic.

 

We stayed at a self contained cottage made from Norfolk Is Pine in a 'resort' called Ponderosa.  Terrible name but a great choice of accomodation.

 

A free car came with the accomodation & all we had to pay was insurance at a few $s a day & fuel.  Didn't use much of that because of the small size of the Is.  But a car is essential.  I was a bit of a bomb but it did he job.

 

Didn't find the place too expensive & the scenery is fantastic as are the locals and the duty free shopping.  I now have a 'full set' of Zwilling JA Henkel kitchen knives at about 30% of the Aussie price.  Cheaper even than on Ebay et al.

Did all the touristy things like the Progressive dinner night, convict tour & the fish fry up.  Had enough time to swim & lay on the beach as well.

 

We loved it & might return someday.

Hi Cupie and thanks for such a detailed post, I think you have covered everything I need to know. (well, perhaps; did you pick a particular time of year season wise?)

Many thanks,

cheers,

ozi2

I have been to both, Lord Howe 3 times and Norfolk once. It completely depends upon personal perference. For mine Lord Howe wins hands down, but then again, I love natural beauty, unspoiled beaches and tropical rain forests. The feeling of being in a village situation where time has passed it by, it really reminds me of a nth coastal village in NSW during the 1950's, unspoilt and beautifully serene.

The uniquness of 'LH' is the fact that motor vehicles are virtually non existant except for the 300 locals and the mini-busses that transport the guests from guest house to guest house...you either walk or hire a push bike but as 90% of everything is within 3 or 4 kilometres and the village is self confined to about 1km at best, getting around is not only easy, it's pleasurable. The Coral rimmed protected lagoon that rings the western side of the island is gloriously safe and serene for swimming, sailing and snorkeling. On the more rugged eastern side, there are some great surf beaches and the world renowned Ned's beach where you can swim and snorkel along a coral rimmed corridr that is teeming with coral fish as well as massive  whiting (over 1kg) and mullet. Everyday at a set time the fish are fed at Ned's beach and this is a must, all the left over food scraps are taken their and fed to the fish, I kid you not, 40 to 60 kg Kingfish, mackeral, eitc., just appear from nowhere and they brush you as they swim past to get the food, it is a fish feeding frenzy where all species of natural enemy hold a truce and just feed together.

I could go on and on about this world heritage island as it is one of my favourite places on earth, but I will leave it there and just recommend a private guest house at Old Settlement Beach, where you have all your own facilities (fridge, stove, TV, etc) and is just so peaceful and close to the action (if that is what you could call it). It's called 'MILKY WAY' and it is my pick.

NORFOLK ISLAND, to me is good if you wish to tour the old convict history of the place, good for a once off and the reason that I didn't revisit, nevertheless the island offers relative peace and quiet, although motor vehicles are quite prevelant and the life is a different style to that on 'LH'. I am a lover of sun, sand and water and that's where Norfolk let me down as it is a high, hilly, rocky island and the few beaches that do exist are a long walk down, the only exception is the main town swimming beach which is small and sort of harbour enclosed for safety, When I was there shopping was the bonus as it was cheap, things may have changed somewhat over the past 10 years, particularly with the internet now available.

In summary, Norfolk is  more spread out and a larger Island wher transport (car) is advisable via hire, whereas Lord Howe is really layback and close quartered and, well more homely and old fashioned to my mind...in the end, it all comes back to personal choice, mine is very obvious, yours may be totally different.

ps...regarding prices on Lord Howe, yes it is expesive in comparison, but it is accessable only via dash 8 or similar sized aircraft, therefore transport costs to and from the island for everything is expensive, but if you stay at a fully equipped guest house you can diffuse the costs with the occasional BBQ or home cooked meal, if you so desire...and you can take some foodstuffs with you, last time my mate and I took a whole scotch fillet (frozen), he even packed cereal, so that's an option within reason ofcourse. When eating out each guest house without a diner like 'MW' will willingly drop you to another and pick you up for return.

Any more questions just ask.

 

 

 

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 17th of November 2011 10:33:09 AM

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 17th of November 2011 10:37:41 AM

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 17th of November 2011 10:38:47 AM

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 17th of November 2011 10:39:55 AM

OZ12, here is the accomodation and plan map if you haven't already seen it...

http://www.lordhoweisland.info/map.htm

http://www.lordhoweisland.info/accommodation/milky.htm

http://www.milkyway.net.au/villas.htm

ozi2 wrote:

---

 (well, perhaps; did you pick a particular time of year season wise?)

Many thanks,

cheers,

ozi2

---

 We went end Aug on the advice of a work friend from Norfolk Is ...  Weather was great.

Haven't been to Lord Howe so I can't do a comparison.

As its 500 odd klms off Coffs harbour, its a sub tropical sort of place. I was there in the late 80s, after a season in the gulf of Capentaria. If I remember rightly , it was april, and a bit windy, but nice, and quiet.

Lord Howe Island update: I have been a bit disappointed with some of the charges for Lord Howe, however today I was able to find what I consider to be a "reasonable' package and just waiting for confirmation.

Its 7nights accommodation, tours,car hire etc, return airfares ex Brisbane for $1155.00 twin share..........sure beats the other quotes by a big margin!

Keeping them crossed.

cheers,

ozi2

Hi Gerty, just waiting for the travel agent to confirm dates, but first or second Sat in Dec. With departure from Brisbane we are restricted to Sat departures and return. Sydney has a lot more flight availability than Bris.

Whatever, I just want to do it and soon.....and then start planning the next trip!

Have you settled back into normal life after the big trip?

all the best to you both,

cheers,

ozi2

I've been to Norfolk three times now and loved every one of them.

Ok so the Island isn't all that big but it is relaxing and historically very interesting.

They make a good beer out at the brewery near the airport and some of the other little places do their own liqueur (?)  and the food that they come up with using bananas is very inventive.

seven to ten days is adequate time to be able to drive every road on the island.