Norfolk Island - first visit - tips?

[Amanad78]

Amanad78,
not sure how much research you have done, but the most important thing I get is that this is an island with no public transport, etc - so you have to book a rental car. When I booked my accomodation (Endeavour Lodge) they automatically offerred me rental cars, but I had already booked this. Hope you, us, enjoy the experience!

Thanks for the advice, haven't booked accommodation yet but most of the ones I'm looking at mention a hire car booked through them

 

[The black sheep]

Thanks for the advice, haven't booked accommodation yet but most of the ones I'm looking at mention a hire car booked through them

Amanad78, my limited experience is that cars booked through accomodation are good value. I went outside this as I did not want the tiny cars that they offer. We are a family of Norwegian giants

 

[ZigZagWanderer]

I don't think it's been mentioned, but taking a passport is advisable, because in case of problems the flight can get diverted to New Zealand. You shouldn't have to show the passport, however.

Another point is that you only need to show your ticket to get duty free from the main duty free store. Indeed, they normally don't even need this, because they know you're not local!

The deli shop opposite the airport is an excellent place to get extra food and nibbles.

The 100 acres wood (iirc) is a really nice place for a walk, or just a picnic. Great grassy areas with tables at the top, and a lovely walk down to the coast too.

The walk from one peak to the other is lovely, too. It gets hot and humid this time of year, though. Take water.

Take advantage of the many tours. The best is with locals. One has a meal spread over three courses in three different houses, each with stories to tell. It's a great introduction to the island and history. Others are more walking and informative. Almost all are great fun, although the 'ghost' tour was a bit lacklustre imo.

Take a trip on a boat to see the coral, too.

 

[SuePa]

I was there last July and the supermarket shelves were quite bare. We'd booked an Airbnb to cook for ourselves, but ended up going to the bowling club for dinner most nights. Nothing special, but a decent feed at a reasonable price, for NI.
The history there is interesting and you can buy a ticket at the tourist office that gets you entry to 4 of the main museums. With this ticket, you can also join the tag along tour that starts before the museums open. I'm not really sure how these work, because we came upon one by accident and only joined the last 15-20 minutes.
We also went to a fish fry one night. Pretty pricey, but the fish was delicious and you learn a bit about the Pitcairn history and the local language. Entertainment was provided by the Bounty Beauties, dancers celebrating their Tahitian heritage. We booked through Pintree Tours.
I found the island to be quite beautiful and the locals friendly. I really enjoyed my week there!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The Golf Club is also good for lunch.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Mr LL and I also jut booked a week in NI (Jan 29-Feb 5) using AA points for QF J - had to jiggle our dates around to get accommodation - most are very heavily booked. What no one has mentioned (and which bit us) - calling NI from Australia costs $8.40 per minute - ouch - must be a world record. We only found out after getting a text from Optus that we were $50 over our usual monthly spend after a few very short calls (to restaurants and the butcher).

Thanks for all the various tips.

 

[henrus]

What no one has mentioned (and which bit us) - calling NI from Australia costs $8.40 per minute - ouch - must be a world record. We only found out after getting a text from Optus that we were $50 over our usual monthly spend after a few very short calls (to restaurants and the butcher).

Norfolk Island's dialing code is a seperate country so I guess it depends on your plan in Australia. Vodafone charge $3.50 per minute but if you plan ahead and add a $10 pack (that includes $10 call credit) then the rate is only $1.60.

Part of the problem is the island has no fiber cables linking it to the world. The local telco Norfolk Telecom (run by the council) purchases some rather expensive satellite bandwidth from Spark in NZ (historically o3b) and you can only get a Norfolk number through the local telecom. On the Island 4G data costs $10 per GB (although slightly cheaper if you purchase a $50 8GB pack).

Home

From streaming the latest Netflix series to chatting away with friends and family overseas, communicating is easy with Norfolk Telecom.

www.ni.net.nf

The NBN satellite plans have introduced cheaper plans however as they're from Australian providers then the landline numbers that can be included are all +61 and unlike Lord Howe Island, Starlink is yet to go live on the island. It arguably makes it one of the more cut off populated islands of Australia because both Christmas Island and Cocos Islands now have fiber links to the outside world.

 

[antycbr]

I was there last July and the supermarket shelves were quite bare. We'd booked an Airbnb to cook for ourselves,

Recommend that for any offshore island especially LDH and NLK evaluate what you can take in checked luggage that can supplement your meals eg dried pasta, pasta sauce, UHT milk and juice, canned goods, cereals, chocolate, biscuits etc. that way you’re only topping up with meats etc. At least NLK gives you full baggage allowance unlike LDH.

My understanding is that most stuff is shipped from NZ which is certainly reflected in the brands on the shelves.

 

[The black sheep]

Thanks again everyone for the tips. My wife has done some research (as wives do :/ ) and she suggests we take basics like cereals and coffee, etc. I am more of a "winging-it" person, where scarcity of the usuals actually makes it more fun. But I will certainly take SWMBO her coffee - I could not deal with a lack there - "happy wife - happy life" etc...
ZigZagWanderer, am I understanging from your post that you can buy duty free on the return leg?

 

[SuePa]

Recommend that for any offshore island especially LDH and NLK evaluate what you can take in checked luggage that can supplement your meals eg dried pasta, pasta sauce, UHT milk and juice, canned goods, cereals, chocolate, biscuits etc. that way you’re only topping up with meats etc. At least NLK gives you full baggage allowance unlike LDH.

My understanding is that most stuff is shipped from NZ which is certainly reflected in the brands on the shelves.

We did think about that before leaving , but decided to take a chance. As it happened, the kitchen at the AirBnB was a bit old, so we were happy not to use it, other than for our morning croissants and tea. We were on holidays, after all.

 

[Solid]

Two memories from the bowling club at NI:

1. Battered oysters on the menu.
2. The rat coming out from the kitchen, having a look around and going back in.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Two memories from the bowling club at NI:

2. The rat coming out from the kitchen, having a look around and going back in.

didn’t like tonight’s menu?

 

[The black sheep]

But did the rat seem healthy? A rat that is nonchalant as to today's menu could actually be indicative of many fine meals