Norfolk Island

During the Southern Hemisphere Winter seas are often too rough for tender operations.

Printable map to take along.

Today Norfolk Island is a tourist haven and making sure visitors are well looked after is important there because it is the island's main source of income. Norfolk's currency is the Aussie dollar, which makes things a whole lot easier, and you can pick up some excellent duty-free shopping there.

The island sits between Australia and New Zealand - just under three hours flying time from Sydney and a little over two from Brisbane - and there are two airlines that provide a service, Norfolk Jet and Air New Zealand.

It is an external territory of Australia, but has its own laws, government and budget. Australians need either a passport or identity document to get into Norfolk and travelers should note that while associated with Canberra our Medicare system does not work there and so it pays to have travel and health insurance before going.

Tourists will find a host of interesting and relaxing things to do during their stay on Norfolk including bush walking, playing golf, riding, scuba diving or fishing. Almost one third of Norfolk is national park and contains an untouched and world-recognized area of rain forest. You can walk or cycle around tracks through the park, or relax by having a picnic at one of the spectacular beaches.

For the historically minded you can see Kingston's colonial buildings, the remains of the infamous prison and at the Maritime Museum see items from both the HMS Bounty and also HMS Sirius, the first fleet vessel that was sunk off Norfolk Island.

To get around you will need to hire a car or take an organized tour.

If you want to do a tour, there a 3 companies that provide a half day familiarization tour where you get to see the highlight places.

The main street of Burnt Pine is lined on both sides with shops selling local arts and crafts, shoes and clothes, toys and books. There are some bargains to be had, especially on shoes.

There are free shuttles run every half hour from whichever port is used up to Burnt Pine village.

Australian Dollar

Plenty of cafes which offer free WiFi for customers around

Shops and services are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many shops stay open late on Thursday or Friday evening - usually until 9pm - and all day on Saturday. Shopping malls are often open on Sundays as well.

In remote country areas, roadhouses provide all the essential services for the traveler and, on the major highways, are generally open 24 hours a day. In tourist areas, even ones well off the beaten track, tourist offices are often open every day or at least through the week plus weekend mornings; urban information centers are more likely to conform to normal shopping hours.

Tourist attractions such as museums, galleries and attended historic monuments, are often open daily, though those in rural communities may have erratic opening hours.