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* Maps are intended as a guide only |
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Lord Howe Island is a subtropical island found 500 km off the coast of New South Wales. Lord Howe and the jagged pinnacle, Ball's Pyramid nearby, are remnants from a huge and ancient volcano. Crystal coral reefs, bordered with sandy beaches and crystal blue waters surrounded the island. Thriving rainforests, Kentia Palms, banyan trees, pandanus, and soaring forest-clad mountains cover about two-thirds of the island. In 1982 Lord Howe Island was World Heritage listed because of its rare flora and fauna and its extraordinary natural beauty.
The island was first sighted by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball on his way to Norfolk Island in 1788. First settlement on the island in the 19th Century supported itself as a supply point for ships in the whaling industry. As the whaling industry dropped off, the inhabitants searched for a new source of income. This resulted in cultivation of the native palm they used to thatch their houses, the Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana). Along with a successful tourism industry, Kentia Palm export has now made Lord Howe Island famous throughout the world.
The island is only 11km long and most facilities, accommodation, and restaurants are clustered around the small township. There are 17 accommodation choices ranging between 4.5 star to budget style apartments and cafes and restaurants for those dining out. You do need to pre-book accommodation before you go, as island visitor numbers are strictly monitored.
Along the self-guided, well-marked walks, the island has many points of interest along the way such as huge figs trees, the rare Lord Howe Island woodhen, a shipwreck, rock pools, a mutton-bird colony, shearwater nests, and fabulous scenic views. The most challenging of these walks is Mount Gower which must be done with a licensed guide through rainforests, cliff hugging tracks, and up rope-assisted steep inclines.
 View event guide for Lord Howe Island
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| Arajilla Retreat |
 Old Settlement Beach, Lord Howe Island
Arajilla is a retreat in the true sense of the word. A tranquil haven, nestled between lush mountain pastures and the crystal blue waters of Old Settlement Beach, at the sheltered northern end of the island.
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| Pinetrees Resort Hotel |
 Lord Howe Island
Only a couple of hours from the mainland with Qantaslink. A guest house for over 100 years Pinetrees is now the main resort hotel on Lord Howe. Still run by the same island family catering for just 85 visitors.
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| Milky Way Holiday Apartments |
 Old Settlement Beach, Lord Howe Island
Occupies the prime island location with Old Settlement Beach less than a minute from your front door and nestled in the tranquillity of a palm and banyan grove.
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Swim at the many beaches such as Old Settlement Beach or swim with turtles at Sylph hole. Walk or climb the short and long walks all over the island including the coastal Track to Rocky Run, and Boat Harbour.
Mount Eliza has spectacular views, Transit Hill and Malabar or Mount Gower (Grade 10) are good for the adventurous visitors. Experience wildlife watching and fish feeding at Ned's beach each morning or afternoon. Lagoon and reef kayaking, and reef walking will show you exotic marine life. There are Golf and Tennis courts available at Mount Lidgbird with views of the Pacific Ocean while you play.
Snorkelling and scuba dive on the coral reef and take a dive off Ball's Pyramid among the 400 different species of fish. Enjoy surfing at Blinky Beach and Middle Beach or cruise in a glass bottom boat over Erscott's hole and reef for snorkelling or viewing. Take a fishing charter for Wahoo, Kings, Trevally, Job fish, Tuna and Cod fish (best from November to May).
Bird Watch and see bird colonies at Mutton Bird Point, Mount Eliza, and Mount Gower or in the banyan forests. During season, watch the flocks of shearwaters return to their nests at Ned's Beach after a day's fishing. There are Emerald Rock Doves and Providence Petrels, Red-Tailed Tropicbirds, Masked Booby, Sooty Terns and many more. Wildflowers and Palm Nursery is best seen in Spring/Summer for the Pumpkin tree, lowland Bush orchid, Mountain Rose, Giant Heath (endemic) and Pandanus Tree. Visit the Kentia Palm Nursery to discover how the first palms were cultivated.
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This triangle of basalt rock protrudes 550 metres out of the sea and is situated 23 km south of Lord Howe Island. Ball’s Pyramid is the world’s tallest sea stack and one of a series of volcanic pinnacles formed from a massive eruption millions of years ago. Ball’s Pyramid was first climbed by mountaineers in 1965, now such activity is off limits and viewing is only by cruise boat. The surrounding waters are popular diving and fishing spots. Enjoy a scenic flight from a Cessna 172 over Lord Howe and Ball's Pyramid.
In 2001 biologists found several Lord Howe Island Stick Insects on the pyramid, a species that had not been sighted on the main island for 80 years. Biologists were amazed at how a flightless insect had managed to make its way 23 km across the ocean.
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