Norfolk Island - South Pacific Paradise & One of Australia's Hidden Gems

Norfolk Island is one of Australia’s hidden gems, located in between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, and is an external territory of Australia’s commonwealth. This captivating destination is often overlooked as it is rather small and only a 2 hour direct flight from the mainland of Australia.

The South Pacific Paradise that is Norfolk Island, has so much to offer its visitors - from a rich cultural history to an abundance of native wildlife and stunning landscapes and so much more.

History of Norfolk Island

First sighted by Captain Cook, Norfolk island was originally hoped to be a rich source of materials and fertile soil to feed supplies and food back into the barren environment of mainland Australia.

Eventually, Norfolk Island morphed into a penal colony and was home to the infamous tale of "Mutiny on the Bounty."

After leaving the island abandoned for 11 years, it was again inhabited by a second convict settlement. As a result of this, Norfolk Island now houses a selection of charming, fully restored Georgian buildings that have had their architecture preserved as museums and history centres. This history provides an abundance of sites, museums and tours that can be explored when visiting Norfolk Island.

Things to See and Do

Alongside having a rich history, Norfolk Island is renowned for its stunning, virtually untouched natural landscape and native wildlife. A majority of the coastline is accessible to the public and takes the form of rocky cliffs and bluffs with a plethora of native flora.

The beaches provide an eclectic backdrop for the day, with their wild coastlines, white sand and clear turquoise water. There are beaches that are perfect for surfers or ones that have calmer waters for leisurely swimming, as well as reefs to explore. Norfolk Island is a fairly compact one, meaning you can watch both the sunset and the sunrise over the ocean in just a five-minute drive.

Norfolk Island is also the home to many native sea-birds and sea-creatures. Many unique coastal bird species that are threatened with extinction reside in the island paradise - such as the Norfolk Parakeet, Providence Petrel and houses over 1% of the entire world’s population of Wedge-Tailed Shearwaters and Red-Tailed Tropic Birds. At certain times of the year, Humpback, Southern Right, Minke and Sei Whales, along with Whale Sharks and Dolphins can be spotted very close in to the shore.

Entertainment and Food

As well as fascinating cultural activities and beautiful natural sights, Norfolk Island has no shortage of entertainment. Norfolk Island holidays have a lot to offer and an abundance of tours explore all of the aspects of this hidden gem! From fishing charters, glass-bottom boat adventures, kayak tours and snorkelling trips to golf, minigolf, squash, tennis and lawn bowls, to historic and cultural island tours there truly is something for everyone.

Food on Norfolk Island is a delicacy in itself! Engage in a cheese tour or locally-produced liqueur tasting, or find your chosen cuisine from a range of local cafes and restaurants. Book in for a traditional Island fish feast, embark on a breakfast bush walk or take the Taste of Norfolk tour and meet the locals themselves in the food industry. If you’re up for it, even book in for a local murder mystery dinner party and combine dinner with entertainment!

Norfolk Island has a unique charm, combined with an irresistible coastline and an abundance of activities, which makes it the perfect South Pacific destination to visit. It includes something for everyone - a rich history, many activities, tours and Norfolk Island Packages and Holiday Deals make for a very affordable getaway! This hidden gem needs to be seen to be believed!

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