Norfolk Island - Sunrise to Sunset

As the plane started to descend into what looked like the ocean, we realised just how small Norfolk Island really is..
A mere 8km x 5km, there was not a lot of runway or margin for error, but thankfully we were blessed with very skilled pilots!

Our wonderful friends moved to this little slice of paradise 7 years ago and it is no wonder they haven't looked back since, it is breathtaking, a complete world away and only 2.5 hours from Sydney.
Cows have right of way on the roads, locals leave their cars running when they jump out at the shops and locks are unheard of; it was a novelty coming from Sydney, where I check I have locked the house 3 times before going out and leaving the car open is just plain inviting someone to steal it!

Cows have right of way!

Norfolk Island is an external territory under the authority of Australia but with its own legislative assembly, police, customs and quarantine. It was established in 1788 as a convict settlement, the ruins at Kingston once housed one of the most notorious colonies in the world. It was chosen to provide the prisoners with the harshest possible discipline short of death, many people lost their lives there and as a result it is considered one of the most haunted places in Australia. Most locals have first hand stories of encounters with ghosts who haunt the area, a very scary place to be at  night, even a little disconcerting during the day to be honest!

Our accommodation on the island was a step up from the ruins! We had a great 2 bedroom apartment at the Panorama Seaside Apartments- the views were incredible and we started each day with a coffee on the verandah, looking out over Kingston. We were generally up at the crack of dawn most mornings thanks to the chorus of roosters and cows that seem to celebrate the sunrise!


Not a bad way to wake up!

  

A lovely view while enjoying coffee in the morning

 
With no public transport on the island, we hired a car and spent our days exploring; we visited Anson Bay, Norfolk Island Cemetery and Kingston, we swam and snorkelled at Emily Bay and we had an amazing long lunch at the Hili Lounge, including a visit to Cyclorama- a  must see 360 degree mural depicting the story of the mutiny on the Bounty.



Look at our cute little car!

  

Ruins at Kingston



Ruins at Kingston

 

Norfolk Island Cemetery

  In all honesty, I think the best thing to do in a place like this is grab a map, jump in the car and explore at your own pace; being so small, it is near impossible to get lost and you are guaranteed to find a small cove, a beach or a breathtaking lookout that you can call your own for the day.

One night we enjoyed a BBQ at Puppies Point to watch the sunset. Most of the tour companies offer the 'Sunset Fish Fry' at Puppies Point, with a buffet dinner and a local band; but local knowledge has it's advantages! The public BBQs on Norfolk Island are all fully stocked with wood and paper and there are plenty of them all around the Island. Just grab yourself some meat, salad and a nice bottle of red, then relax and enjoy one of the best sunsets in the world! (If you sit quietly enough you can even listen to the band from the tourist fish fry for free!).
Following sunset, we ventured down to the wharf at Kingston to do some fishing, although that was completely unsuccessful, we were lucky enough to witness a display of stars like nothing I have ever seen, they seemed to carpet the sky so thoroughly that the whole world sparkelled around us! For a city dweller like me, this was an absolute highlight.



Wonderful friends enjoying the Sunset at Puppies Point



Sunset at Puppies Point

 

Sunset at Puppies Point

 
Days flew by and before we knew it, our little getaway was over. We had 4 days to explore the Island, but could have spent much longer unwinding and adapting to the relaxed Norfolk way. Make sure you allocate a week at a minimum, I guarantee it will be worth it!

Interesting Facts about Norfolk Island

-  Listings in the Phone Book include nicknames as well as full names and phone numbers.
-  Everyone driving on the island will wave to you as you drive past- a big novelty for us!
-  Cows have right of way on the roads.
-  Flights are considered international so you can purchase lots of Duty Free! Spirits are your best value purchase.
-  Some grocery items are VERY expensive- take your own coffee etc if you can. A 2lt Concentrate of Orange Juice
   can set you back upwards of $10.00. Eating out is very reasonable and there are some lovely options.
-  The island is full of cows, but they drink UHT milk- The expense of pasteurizing makes fresh milk too expensive   
    to produce
-  English is the official language, but you'll also hear locals speaking Norf'k, a unique language derived from the
   speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790.