Making the most of Norfolk Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
In the Southern Hemisphere winter, seas are often too rough for tender operations.
Bring a printable map.
Norfolk Island is now a tourist haven, where looking after visitors matters because tourism is the island's main income source. The Aussie dollar is used, making things easier, and duty-free shopping can offer excellent finds.
The island lies between Australia and New Zealand, just under three flying hours from Sydney and a little over two from Brisbane. Norfolk Jet and Air New Zealand provide the two airline services.
Although an external territory of Australia, Norfolk has its own laws, government and budget. Australians need a passport or identity document to enter. Visitors should also know that, despite its association with Canberra, Medicare does not operate there, so travel and health insurance is advisable before travelling.
Norfolk offers both restful and interesting activities, including bush walking, golf, riding, scuba diving and fishing. Almost one third of the island is national park containing an untouched, world-recognised rainforest area. Walk or cycle the tracks, or picnic on one of the spectacular beaches.
Those interested in history can see Kingston's colonial buildings and the infamous prison remains. The Maritime Museum displays items from HMS Bounty and HMS Sirius, the first fleet vessel sunk off Norfolk Island.
Getting around
To travel around, hire a car or join an organised tour.
For tours, 3 companies run half-day familiarisation trips, providing an introduction to the principal places of interest.
Food and shopping
Both sides of Burnt Pine's main street are lined with shops selling local arts and crafts, shoes and clothing, toys and books. Shoes in particular can be a bargain.
Free shuttles run every half hour from whichever port is used to Burnt Pine village.
Money
The Australian Dollar is the local currency.
Staying connected
There are plenty of cafés around offering customers free WiFi.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services generally operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many remain open late on Thursday or Friday—usually until 9pm—and all day Saturday. Shopping malls often open on Sundays too.
In remote country areas, roadhouses offer essential traveller services and on major highways usually operate 24 hours a day. In tourist districts, including places well away from the usual routes, tourist offices are often open daily or at least through the week and on weekend mornings; urban information centres are more likely to keep normal shopping hours.
Museums, galleries and staffed historic monuments are often open every day, though rural-community attractions may keep irregular hours.