Roadtrip around Norfolk Island QLD

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Roadtrip around Norfolk Island QLD – Explore Paradise

Route Overview:

  • Distance: Approx. 65–70 km (total driving distance if you plan to go around the island).
  • Drive Time: About 2–3 hours (without extended stops).
  • Suggested Duration: 1 full day or 2 days to explore all the key sites, beaches, and natural wonders.

To do your Roadtrip around Norfolk Island, you’ll most likely first fly in, as even anchorages cannot be relied on in all weather conditions. Going on a road trip to Norfolk Island can be a fantastic adventure, taking short day trips on this 8 x 5 kilometre island! Getting out for hikes,  awesome walks, picnics and water adventures is recommended to gather the rich identity of this Southern Pacific with its stunning landscapes, historical sites, and a unique culture.

The island’s permanent inhabitants number under 2,000. As descendants of British mutineers on Her Majesty’s naval ship The Bounty over 200 years ago, today maintain culture, traditions and sustainable tourism.

Here’s a suggested itinerary with brilliant accommodation for a road trip on Norfolk Island:

Arrive Norfolk Island

Day 1: Fly into Norfolk Island Airport.

Pick up your rental car, or collect your vehicle if you have prior arrangements. Then, begin your road trip around Norfolk Island! Check into your accommodation and visit the Norfolk Island Visitor Information Centre to grab maps and explore the “Things to do” information. Afterward, head to the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), where you can explore Kingston, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.

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Norfolk Island Heritage Buildings Queensland Australia

KAVHA is a living heritage site that continues to contribute to the Norfolk Island community. You’ll find well-preserved Georgian buildings and evocative ruins from the first (1788-1814) and second (1825-1855) Settlements. The area is known for its harsh conditions, which led to murders and mutinies. Entry to this historic site is free, and you can take a self-guided tour of military and government buildings, plus the ruins of old gaols. Alternatively, visit the Norfolk Island Kingston Museum for a deeper look into the island’s colourful past. The Norfolk Island Museums Pass lets you save money and access all four island museums, along with two guided tours. Tickets are available at the Royal Engineers Office, also known as the Kingston Information Centre.

From the REO, head up RootyHill Road to Queen Elizabeth Lookout for views across to Phillip and Nepean islands. It’s a short drive up to the Queen Elizabeth Lookout, but if you prefer walking, be prepared for a steep, long trek. We recommend driving from Burnt Pine to Quality Row, then heading up Rooty Hill Road to the lookout. From here, you’ll get a stunning view of the elegant Georgian buildings on Quality Row. These buildings once housed a few fortunate residents during Norfolk Island’s 19th-century penal colony. You’ll also spot a beautiful golf course from the lookout.

If golfing is your thing, or you simply want to visit the 19th hole, the course offers a unique Georgian clubhouse. The grass stretches down to the beach-fringed Pacific Ocean, with Nepean and Phillip Islands in the distance. A round of golf is reasonably priced, and clubs are available for hire.

If you have time or fancy a swim or snorkel, head to Emily Bay. This is one of Norfolk Island’s best swimming beaches, with an offshore pontoon, locally known as ‘the raft.’ From there, you can jump into the water or snorkel out to the reef, where you’ll encounter over 60 marine species and beautiful coral. Not keen on snorkelling? Take a glass-bottomed boat for a daily trip to the teeming reef. You could easily spend an entire day discovering the underwater wonders of Norfolk Island.

Weary, need to hunt for food? Head to a “progressive dinner”, unique on Norfolk. Pine Trees Progressive DinnersBaunti Tours offer home cooked 3 to 4 course meals at home with the locals!

Day 2: Explore the North Coast

Wake up to another glorious day of discovery at Anson Bay and its beautiful surroundings. Head north to Anson Bay for stunning coastal views. Anson Bay is a private, winding trail, much like Lombard Street, but without the urban twist. Instead, it snakes down to the sea and sand below, offering spectacular views. Pack a picnic or pick up fresh organic produce from the nearby roadside “honesty boxes.” Don’t forget your swimming gear and protection from the elements.

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Drive to Captain Cook’s Monument, a humble stone obelisk marking the spot where Cook landed in 1774. From here, enjoy views of Norfolk pines on indented cliffs and the South Pacific Ocean crashing onto the shore. Norfolk Island is home to many land, water, and seabirds. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting gulls, terns, skimmers, black noddies, and red-tailed tropic birds.

Look out for natural formations like Bird Rock, Elephant Rock, and Green Pool Stone. Hikers can take the Bridle Track (1.7-kilometre one-way), which leads downhill from the monument. Be sure to bring water, a hat, and walking shoes! The track connects to others in Norfolk Island National Park.

In Norfolk Island Botanic Gardens and Cascade Reserve, explore 5.5 hectares of lush vegetation along Mission Road. It’s just a 5-minute drive from Burnt Pine. If you’re tired of picnics, try foraging in honesty boxes for treats or local organic produce.

On the west coast, near Anson Bay, Puppy’s Point is perfect for sunsets. People gather here for sundowners at dusk. Watch as nature puts on a show of colours during twilight. Explore Point Hunter and Puppy’s Point for dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. The South Coast is nearby, but save it for another day. Instead, enjoy paddock-to-plate dining at Bounty Bar & Grill, located at 14 Ferny Lane, Burnt Pine.

Day 3: Discover the South Coast

Located at the corner of Anson Bay Road and Headstone Road, St. Barnabas Chapel is a 5-minute drive from Burnt Pine. This beautifully crafted historic church was built by missionaries, complete with mother-of-pearl inlays and stained-glass windows. The ship-like vaulted timber ceiling adds to its charm.

Interested in learning more about its history? Check for guided tours at the Visitor Information Centre. Wander through the small cemetery next to the chapel, the Melanesian Mission Memorial Garden, to connect with the past.

Colleen McCullough’s former home on Norfolk Island is located on the south coast of the island. The house is situated on a hill with stunning views over the Kingston area and the surrounding coastline. The location provides a beautiful, tranquil setting that inspired much of McCullough’s writing, including The Thorn Birds. 

  • Tours to Colleen McCullough’s Home: Some guided tours include stops at her home, and visitors may be able to go inside with the permission of the tour operators. It’s best to check with Norfolk Island tour companies for specific tour availability that includes a visit to her house.
  • Where to Buy Tickets: You can purchase tickets and book tours through the Norfolk Island Travel Centre or Bounty Tours, which often feature visits to significant cultural and historical landmarks, including McCullough’s house.

Contact Information:

The property is not far from the Kingston Heritage Area, which is a key historical site on the island, so it’s easy to combine a visit to McCullough’s home with other nearby landmarks, like the Kingston Cemetery, where she is buried.

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Norfolk Island Boat Queensland Australia

 

 

 

 

Slaughter Bay is one of historical significance. It was on this reef that the HMS Sirius – the flagship of the First Fleet – was wrecked in 1790.

You can find out more about the fate of the HMS Sirius and some of the retrieved items salvaged from the wreck at the nearby Sirius Museum. Meantime, if you’re a snorkeler, you are in for a pearler of a day. Low tide is the best time to go and under the sea where the coral reef and its colourful finned residents provide wonder and awe to last a lifetime. Generally speaking, the reef protects the waters from dangerous swells and currents.

Day 4: Adventure Day

Today, we suggest a couple of adventures for varying levels of thrill-seekers.

Phillip Island is six kilometres south of Norfolk Island and part of Norfolk Island National Park. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. The island’s awe-inspiring landscape features hues of orange, red, yellow, and purple, shaped by erosion over centuries. Accessing the island is not for the faint-hearted. It requires an exhilarating climb up rope ladders, followed by a trek over steep inclines.

Access is weather-dependent, and an experienced guide is required at all times. Phillip Island is home to rare and endangered plants, thriving under the protection of Parks Australia. The island is free from feral predators, but abundant in native plants, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. A visit here is for adventurous types only, with strict guidelines to follow. Check the Phillip Island guidefor more details.

For a slower adventure, play a round of golf at Norfolk Island Golf Club, a heritage-listed course with stunning ocean views.

Alternatively, join a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. Explore incredible coral gardens, over 100 species of fish, and abundant marine life. Enjoy the friendly Norfolk humour from the Bounty descendant guides. Call Donald at 54016 or George at 52794. You can also email at marineworld@ni.net.nf or book through Pinetree Tours Office.

Norfolk Island is a haven for nature lovers in a spectacular setting of jagged cliffs, pine trees, beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes. It’s also a historically rich destination
Norfolk Island Beaches Norfolk Island Queensland

There are many beaches and reserves to explore, including Bumbora Beach, Ball Bay Reserve, and Two Chimneys Reserve. Other notable spots include Norfolk Island Memorial Park, Cascade Reserve, Lions Park, Bounty Square, and Pop’s Corner. Don’t miss Norfolk Island Botanic Gardens and Point Ross Reserve.

Take a walk to Cockpit Reserve and enjoy the stunning waterfall from the Boardwalk. Discover beautiful rock pools at Bumbora Beach. Two Chimneys Reserve is also home to “Two Chimneys Wines,” Norfolk Island’s first and only winery. Established in 2006 by Rod and Noelene McAlpine, the winery features a homestead, tasting room with a wood fire, and wide covered verandas. The vineyard grows eight varieties of grapes and benefits from a soft maritime climate and volcanic basalt soils.

Day 5: Relaxation and Shopping

Art Galleries: Explore local art galleries showcasing Norfolk Island’s unique artistic talent, including:

  • Cottage Pottery: A family-owned business offering beautiful pottery, art, jewellery, and fabric products.
  • Aatuti Art: Gallery featuring locally made giftware.
  • Gallery Guava: A local space for unique artworks.
  • Norfolk Art: Showcasing Norfolk’s vibrant art scene.
  • Tutankhamun’s Tomb: A gallery with intriguing art and historical pieces.
Norfolk Island Shopping, Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island Shopping Norfolk Island Queensland

Burnt Pine retail therapy: Spend the day in Burnt Pine, the main shopping area, and relax. See Travellarks’ Things to do around Norfolk Island for suggestions on retail escapes, Good Eats and Foodies.

For Walkers: nothing is very far but you can join up trails and tracks by looking AT Norfolk Island Walks.

Tips for Stays on Norfolk Island:

  • No fruit, vegetables, or food of any kind can be brought ashore by passengers.
  • Norfolk Island is small, making it easy to explore at a leisurely pace.
  • Visit the former Royal Engineers Office (REO) beside Kingston Pier for souvenirs and books on the island’s history.
  • Check for local events or festivals happening during your visit.
  • Respect the island’s natural and historical sites.
  • Plan for outdoor activities and bring appropriate clothing, gear, sun protection, and natural insect repellent.
  • Avoid taking additional packaging or leaving rubbish behind on the island.
  • Be sure to check for any travel restrictions or updates before your trip, as circumstances may change.
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Norfolk Island birdlife Norfolk Island Queensland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norfolk Island offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and exciting outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring its pristine beaches, visiting local galleries, or hiking through its reserves, there’s something for everyone. For the ultimate experience, book your stay with Travellarks, where we offer extraordinary regional accommodations that ensure you’ll have a memorable trip.

Ready to start your adventure? Plan your road trip to Norfolk Island today and enjoy Travellarks stays with a WOW!

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  • Things to do around Norfolk Island – Travellarks
    7 December 2024 6:44 am

    […] Check out our Roadtrip around Norfolk Island.  […]

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