Norfolk Island
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Location
Norfolk Island is a green speck in the vast South Pacific Ocean, 1600km northeast of Sydney and 1000km northwest of Auckland. It's the largest of a cluster of three islands emerging from the Norfolk Ridge, which stretches from New Zealand to New Caledonia, the closest landfall, almost 700km north.
Norfolk Island is particularly popular with older Australians and New Zealanders on package holidays. Tourism accounts for more than 90% of the local economy, but it is not a cheap destination. Airfares are expensive and there is no budget accommodation available.
Norfolk Island is not subject to Australian tax laws, which has led on the one hand to the strip of duty-free outlets in Burnt Pine and on the other to the sprinkling of millionaires who live on the island.
People
Norfolk Island is a part of the Australian external territories and is located between Australia and New Zealand. The Norfolk Island pine tree is a native plant of the Island and also it's symbol.
Norfolk Island was a penal colony twice, at first just as a place to house convicts, then later as a location for harder criminals, thus becoming quite repressive. Today the Island is a tourists paradise. The cleanest water you will ever see, and time travels so slowly that the cows have right of way on the roads!
Norfolk Island has it's own government but under Australian control, and do not pay Australian income tax.
There is a Polynesian style to the food and people of Norfolk Island, the people being mainly British, Tahitian or a combination of both.
Population
3,200 (estimated)
Food
There are more than 35 restaurants and eateries on Norfolk Island offering a wide range of unique dining experiences for you to enjoy. Ranging from fine dining restaurants and cafes to sporting clubs.
There are good quality restaurants scattered over the Island which offer the very best in cuisine and a la carte dining. Some of these restaurants provide you with the opportunity to taste dishes unique to Norfolk Island such as Pilihai, (baked ripe banana) Mudda (boiled green banana) and sweet island dessert pies.
Remember to check opening hours as some restaurants do not open every night.
Another dining option is Progressive dinners in Island homes which are a great way to experience the hospitality and culture of local people. See our "Tours" page to pre-book this before you go. You will also find the Island Fish Fry, a popular outdoor dining experience, also best pre-booked to avoid missing out.
There are numerous cafes on the Island which offer extensive dine-in or take away menus. Great for inexpensive tasty lunches and morning or afternoon teas and Norfolk Island's clubs provide generous, wholesome meals at inexpensive prices.
Climate & When to Go
Norfolk Island's sub-tropical climate is tempered by the surrounding sea. The climate of Norfolk Island is principally affected but the belt of high pressure systems which oscillate north and south over the Island annually.
Average maximum temperatures range from 18C to 19C in winter to between 23C and 25C in summer. The highest temperature ever recorded was 28.4C on 11th Feb 1996. Average minimum temperatures range from 13C to 15C in the winter and between 18C and 20C in the summer. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 6.2C on 29th July 1953.
The median annual rainfall for Norfolk Island is 1302mm, and the annual mean rainfall is 1312mm. Rainfall is greatest during the four months from May to August, with monthly long-term means of about 130 to 147mm. Minimum monthly rainfall, averaging 75 to 87mm occurs from November to January. The wettest month is June having an average 147mm and the driest month is November having an average of 75mm. The highest monthly rainfall was 473.2mm in December 1989. Norfolk Island averages 181 rain days per year, ranging from an average of 10 rain days in November to 21 rain days in July.
Relative humidity is generally high. The relative humidity averages in the 74% to 79% range at 9am and in the 71% to 74% range at 3pm.
Winds are predominantly east to south-east during summer and autumn swinging to the south to south-westerly in winter and returning to the south in spring. The maximum wind gust recorded on Norfolk Island was 135km/h from the SSW on 19th March 1992.
Thunderstorms are most prevalent during the winter and spring, with an average of 12 thunderstorms per year. Hail occasionally accompanies thunderstorms in winter, with an average of one hailstorm per year.
Tropical cyclones are some, but occasionally have an influence in the early months of the year. Mid latitude depressions move in from the Australian continent or southwest Tasmanian Sea and effect the island mostly from February to August.
Currency
Australian Dollars ($AUD)
Banking
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac have branches on Norfolk Island and are fully computerised. These banks are open Monday to Thursday 9.30am-4pm, and open until 5pm Friday.
Electricity
The power supply is Australian standard 3 pin plug 240 volts AC-50 cycles.
Getting Around
There is no public transport system on Norfolk Island and taxis are available only on request.
However, there are several hire car companies on Norfolk Island and prices are inexpensive. A current driver's license is required. The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years. There is 170km of road around Norfolk. The speed limit is 40km/h in town, 25km/h in the National Park and along the waterfront at Kingston Everywhere else is 50km/h.
Warning: Wandering cattle have the right of way!
Tipping
Tipping is not a custom on Norfolk.