Destination focus: Lord Howe Island
It’s Australia’s hidden paradise, a volcanic jewel of an island 600 kilometres off the coast of New South Wales. Here are the things you can't miss on Lord Howe Island.
Do
Lord Howe is home to the southernmost coral reef in the world and the only fringing reef lagoon in the state, so you’re going to want to get under the water. The convergence of warm and cold water means there’s a huge range of fish to be seen and many are found close to shore. Add to this exceptional water quality and visibility and you have one of the best snorkelling and diving destinations in the world. Paddle around the island on a kayak, learn how to kite surf or hit the waves at Blinky’s Beach. Don’t miss out on feeding the fish at Ned’s Beach where mullet, wrasse, garfish and metre-long kingfish will come to eat right from your hand.
If you prefer to stay dry, there’s great hiking on the island. You can stroll up the easy paths to Transit Hill or tackle the tough ascent of Mount Gower, the tallest mountain on the island that includes some challenging rope-assisted sections. Tee off at the nine-hole Lord Howe Island Golf Course, easily one of the most picturesque in Australia.
See
Lord Howe’s remote location and relative isolation has resulted in an incredibly unique ecology with many species found nowhere else on earth. Birds are the biggest drawcard and more than 130 species are found here, including the rare Lord Howe Island woodhen that was saved from extinction by a local conservation effort. You can also see the providence petrel, one of the rarest seabirds in the world, red tailed tropicbirds, shearwaters, sooty terns and masked boobies.
Eat & Drink
The island might be a long way from civilisation, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice your palate. Coral Café and Thompson’s Store are the go to for basics like burgers and sandwiches, or you can try world-class dining (including great local seafood) at Arajilla Restaurant and Anchorage Restaurant. If you prefer to do it yourself, there are communal barbecues complete with firewood set up at beaches around the island. Grab a barbecue pack from Greenback Eatery and get cooking!
Stay
If you’re looking for luxury, you can’t go past Capella Lodge, tucked away above the secret Lover’s Beach on the west of the island. It’s one of the best properties in the country (sister to the incredible Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island) and has just nine stylish, contemporary suites. Pinetrees Lodge offers great accommodation with a more reasonable price tag and was named the best hotel in Australia in 2017 by TripAdvisor. It has a range of hotel rooms, cottages and multi-bedroom family villas all designed in a cool, breezy beach style.
Have you ever been to Lord Howe Island? Share your experience with us in the comments below.