24 hours on: Lord Howe Island
04 Apr 2013
Escape the rat race and switch to Lord Howe time.
See
Cycling is the most popular and quickest way to get around the island, considering the driving speed limit is a lazy 25km/h. It’s not only a great way to work up an appetite; it also allows you to visit all the gorgeous beaches and viewpoints while taking in the fresh Tasman air.
The Lord Howe Island Museum shares its space with the Visitors Centre, so it’s the ideal place to start your island tour. There’s a display about the island’s World Heritage environment and informative coverage of the island’s history since 1788.
Hand-feed the fish at Ned’s Beach with a pocket full of bread or buy some fish food. Watch as colourful wrasse, garfish, kingfish, spangled emperor and the occasional baby reef shark feast and dart through your legs in some of the clearest water on the planet.
Grab snorkelling gear and slip into the lagoon to check out what lies beneath. The world’s southernmost coral reef is teeming with so much tropical and subtropical marine life that you will feel as though you are swimming in an aquarium.
Hit one of eight self-guided trails that are dotted around the island, or Mt Gower’s guided full-day hike. Head past Old Settlement Beach making your way up to Kim’s Lookout for a bird's-eye view of the island and the lagoon, and continue along the clifftop path for spectacular scenery across the Tasman.
Eat
Breakfast: Due to the Anchorage Cafe's central location, most people find themselves there at least once a day. Open from 8am for breakfast, it’s a good place to stock up on fresh muffins, cakes and bread.
Lunch: Pick up picnic supplies at Thompson’s Store, and enjoy one of the pretty picnic spots on the island. Top Shop (closed Saturday) on Skyline Drive sells BBQ meat/salad packs so you can take advantage of the island’s wood-stocked BBQs with million-dollar views.
Dinner: Arajilla Restaurant is a popular dining destination for both guests of the Arajilla Resort and island visitors. The innovative modern Australian cuisine features local kingfish and a menu that changes daily, so there’s always something new to try. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the well-stocked bar and check out the extensive wine list. Bookings are essential.
Tea/Coffee stop: The Coral Cafe at the Museum and Visitor Centre is the perfect place to grab a coffee or tea while getting your bearings. You can do souvenir shopping while you wait, as you’ll find a good selection of books about the island. The cafe is open 9am-3pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on weekends. Alternatively if you need a caffeine hit and you’re out by the airport, drop in to the Dash-in-Dash-out Cafe – the only catch is that it’s only open around flight departures.
Stay
Blue Lagoon Lodge is set in lush subtropical gardens just 200m from the spectacular lagoon and a short walk to Ned’s Beach and the main shopping hub. Established by Nathan Thompson, a founder of the Lord Howe Settlement, the friendly family-run lodge offers true island hospitality. The studio, one and two bedroom apartments are self-catering and there’s a general store located on the property. For the energetic, there’s an all-weather tennis court and onsite mountain bike hire.
W: www.bluelagoonlodge.com
The only complaint about staying at Capella Lodge on the island’s southern tip is having to leave. The nine island-style suites are designed to capture the full extent of the island’s beauty, and clever architectural features such as floor to ceiling picture windows make the most of the mesmerising views. The aquamarine waters of Lovers Bay are just a few minutes' walk and the twin towering peaks of Mt Lidgebird and Mt Gower act as a unique backdrop. Try the world-class spa's treatments tailored to various island experiences such as the ‘Gowers Foot Therapy’ designed as a post-climb soother.
W: www.capellalodge.com.au
Five things you need to know about Lord Howe Island
- The island is 600km east of Port Macquarie and, although self-governed, is part of NSW.
- The island was World Heritage Listed in 1982 for its rare collection of plants, birds and marine life, as well as its natural beauty.
- There are about 350 permanent residents, and visitors are restricted to 400 at any one time.
- A trek to the summit of Mt Gower is rated as one of the best one-day hikes in the world.
- The surrounding coral reef hosts more than 500 species of fish and 90 different coral, while the island itself boasts more than 130 species of birds including one of the world’s rarest, the Woodhen.
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