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FIND HOTELS ON NORFOLK ISLAND
GENERAL INFO
Norfolk Island is an autonomous external territory of Australia situated 1,412 kilometers east of the coast of New South Wales. The island, which also includes the two tiny uninhabited islands of Philip Island and Nepean Island, covers an area of 34.6 square kilometers and has a population of 2,302 people. The island's nearest neighbour is the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, nine hundred kilometers to it's north.
The island was given it’s name by Captain James Cook, who in 1774, named the island in honour of Mary Howard, Duchess of Norfolk.
The island has a facinating history which began in 1786 when the British government colonised the island in order to harvest the island's abundant crop of flax, which was used to make cordage and sailcloth, after their previous supply base in Russia had been severely restricted by Empress Catherine II of Russia.
In January 1788, just six weeks after the British had colonised Sydney in Australia, Lieutenant Philip Gadley King and a party of fifteen convicts and six free men set up a penal colony on the island at what is now known as Port Jackson.
The island was eventaully abandoned between 1814 and 1825, with all the convicts being taken to Tasmania, owing to logistical problems due to the island's isolation, but a second penal colony was re-established there in 1847 for the incarceration of prisoners whose heinous crimes had warranted the death penalty, but for what ever reason had had their execution reprieved.
In 1856 the island was settled by descendents of Fletcher Christian, John Adams, Ned Young and Mathew Quantrell, former mutineers on HMAV Bounty, who had previously settled on Pitcairn Island in 1790.
In 1845 a severe cyclone had damaged crops and caused massive landslides along the coast of Pitcairn, leaving a scarcity of crops and locals unable to fish, resulting in famine across the island.The island was also becoming increasingly over populated, leading to island elders writing to Queen Victoria imploring her to help them.
Surprisingly she did, by offering them Norfolk Island, along with free transportation aboard the sloop HMS Morayshire, in order to transport them and their possessions over there.
On the third of May 1856 the entire population of Pitcairn Island made the 5,954 km journey to Norfolk Island arriving there on the eighth of June, where they were put up in the penal buildings until their accommodation could be built.
However, by 1858 sixteen of the former Pitcairn Islanders had returned to their homeland, followed in 1863 by another twenty seven.
Today the buildings which formed part of the penal colony and the Pitcairn Islanders homes, still stand and are used as the territory’s governmental buildings.These buildings are of substanial cultural importance resulting in them being designated as the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Centre.
Norfolk Island, along with neighbouring Philip Island, is also the home of the Norfolk Island National Park, owing to it's fifty one endemic species of plants, one of which is the stately Norfolk Island Pine and another is the Norfolk Island Fern which is the tallest growing tree fern in the world.
The two uninhabited islands are renowned for their large sea bird populations.
The island's predominant religion is Christianity.
The official language of Norfolk Island is English although the locals speak a creole language called Norfolk which is a mix of seventeenth century English and Tahitian.
The currency used on Norfolk Island is the Australian Dollar.
Norfolk Island is located on time zone UTC + 11.30.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Norfolk Island is served by six paved roadways which between them access most of the island.
There are no ports or docks on the island although there are two loading jetties located at Kingston and Cascades.
The island is served by one airport the Norfolk Island International Airport, which receives international flights from Auckland in New Zealand and Brisbane and Sydney in Australia and several light aircraft which regularly use the airport as a refuelling stop.
There are no bus services on the island and only one taxi company although car hire is plentiful.
Traffic on Norfolk Island drives on the left hand side of the road and the speed limit is 50 km/h and 30 km/h near schools.
KINGSTON
The capital of Norfolk island is Kingston although the town is really just home to the island’s governmental buildings and the former penal colony on Quality Row which is now known as the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Centre.
There is a small jetty and a beach located on Sydney Bay located just in front of the historic centre and the Kingston Lagoon and Reef, the Kingston Swamp, the island’s only river the Watermill Creek and the Norfolk Island Golf Course are also located in and around Kingston.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Just outside Kingston are where the island’s finest beaches and harbours can be found such as Emily Bay, Slaughter Bay and Cemetery Bay.
The island’s largest community is Burnt Pine where the majority of the island’s shops, bars and restaurants can be found.
The island as a whole has a beautiful interior landscape of hills and vales which are home to several endemic plants, some stunning rocky coves and some beautiful beaches along it's coastline.
The island is also home to the 6.50 square kilometer Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden which includes the island’s highest point Mount Bates and a host of endemic plant life which includes several stately Norfolk Island Pines.
There are several activities found on the island including fishing, hiking, horse riding, wind surfing, scuba diving, golf and visiting the former penal colony.
There is a variety of visitor accommodation located on the island which includes holiday cottages, villas, apartments and seven resort hotels.
WEATHER / NATURAL PHENOMENA
Norfolk island has a mild climate with temperatures reaching no lower than 10c and no higher than 29c. The island’s lush vegetation is provided by the island’s wet season between April and August although it does tend to rain throughout the whole of the year.
CRIME
There is little in the way of crime nor any threats of terrorism.
The island is served by a small police force and their emergency telephone number is 977.
People found to be in the possession of drugs or child pornography are subject to lengthy prison terms.
HEALTH
Visitors to Norfolk Island need not undergo any vaccination programs.
The island is served by one well equipped hospital with extensive facilities which also includes a dental clinic.
Serious medical conditions however are airlifted to Australia therefore it is advisable to take out a good medical travel insurance before travelling.
Norfolk Island Hospital, Grassy Road. Tel – (672) 322 091.
FOREIGN CONSULATES
There are no consular services located on Norfolk Island. Visitors requiring consular advice should contact their relevant consulate or embassy located in Australia.
VISA INFO
A visitor’s visa is needed for all foreign nationals visiting Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island bans the importation of all fresh fruit and vegetables, plant life, meat or dairy products, soil samples, animal skins, drugs and child pornography.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1 – New Year’s Day.
January 26 – Australia Day.
March 6 - Foundation Day.
Good Friday
Easter Monday
June 8 – Bounty Day.
Last Thursday in November – Thanksgiving Day.
December 25 – Christmas Day.
December 26 – Boxing Day.
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
To access the Norfolk Island website visit - norfolk.nf
To access the Norfolk Island official tourism website visit - www.norfolkisland.com.au
To access the Norfolk Island government website visit - www.info.gov.nf
To visit the Pitcairn Islands website, which also has some info about Norfolk Island, visit
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Image – Arthurs Vale Historic Centre, Kingston – Courtesy of Steve Daggar, wikimedia commons.
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