Embark on a journey through time with our 'Norfolk Island: History Lover's Tour' guide, a portal to the rich and captivating history of Norfolk Island. This unique destination in the South Pacific is not just a picturesque getaway but also a treasure trove of historical narratives waiting to be explored. Whether you are planning a Norfolk Island holiday or looking to immerse yourself in the island's past, this guide is your key to unlocking its historical secrets.

Our Norfolk Island holiday packages are thoughtfully designed to include tours that delve into the island's fascinating history. From its early Polynesian settlers to the European explorations and convict history, each aspect of your Norfolk Island travel experience will be enriched with tales and relics of the past.

The guide offers an in-depth look at the best historical sites, museums, and landmarks, making your Norfolk Island tours both enlightening and enjoyable. Learn about the island's intriguing blend of cultures and discover the stories behind historic buildings and ruins.

For history enthusiasts, a holiday in Norfolk Island is an opportunity to step back in time. The island's well-preserved heritage and captivating stories make it a unique destination for those who love to connect with the past.

Join us as we uncover the historical wonders of Norfolk Island, making your Norfolk Island holidays an unforgettable exploration of history and heritage.

Historical Tours in Norfolk Island:

For history buffs, a holiday on Norfolk Island is a trip to true paradise. It is paradise anyway, but for from a historical perspective, even more so as it covers ancient and modern civilisations. 

Polynesian Settlement

It is unknown exactly which century Norfolk Island was first inhabited, but clues suggest that it was around the 14th or 15th century, when Polynesian seafarers ventured ashore at Emily Bay. Evidence of their existence lies in what they left behind for future generations to discover. Stone tools and hatchets, the remains of a canoe, wood carvings and plantain trees. Philip Gidley King recorded his findings in an entry in his journal on 27 April 1788.

Excavations in the mid-1990s found remains of a small village beneath the sand dunes at Emily Bay. Included in the treasures were pieces of obsidian from Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, located over 1300km away. Obsidian is pieces of volcanic glass, which were used for cutting blades. In 1929 a local resident found a stone adze, or cutting tool. How or why the Polynesians departed Norfolk is shrouded in mystery. 

You can view Polynesian artefacts on display in the Norfolk Island Museums. Purchase a Museum Pass as an add on to your Norfolk Island holiday package, which includes unlimited access to four museums as well as the Tag Along tours.

The Tahitian Influence

When the Mutineers departed Tahiti with their Tahitian wives and settled on Pitcairn Island, they brought over 22 different styles of weaving baskets, brooms and hats with them. Over the centuries, the styles and methods of weaving have been handed down through the generations. The most common fibre used to weave hats is the palm frond, however corn husk, banana bark and flax are also used. Weaves include the 3 strand starting plait, 4 strand common plait and the Heritage plait.

Take home your own piece of Norfolk culture from your Norfolk Island holiday with a woven hat, available for purchase from the Visitor Information Centre. 

KAVHA

The Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) encompasses the town of Kingston, Watermill Valley, the Georgian buildings and the remains of the convict settlements. KAVHA was included in the National Heritage List on 1 August 2007, and the area and ruins are open to visitors to explore at their own pace.

Visit the World of Norfolk Exhibit

The World of Norfolk Exhibit is an informative and educational gallery. There are 14 interpretative displays featuring stunning photography and informative narratives in custom-built glass panels. From the Island’s descendants of the Bounty Mutineers and Pitcairn Island to unique history, landscapes and traditions, visitors will be enthralled by Rob’s wonderfully creative images whilst discovering fascinating stories. These include a historical timeline of the multiple settlements on Norfolk, along with the traditions of weaving and unloading of the cargo ships. Visitors will also be intrigued by the method of pit-sawing used to process timber, the history of Aunt Amy and the Clothing Club, and be immersed in the sounds of the rainforest. 

History in the Making Tour

A must do Norfolk Island tour is the History in the Making Tour with Aatu Orn tours. Aatu Orn translates in the Norfolk language as a ‘discerning in-depth look at history’, and that is precisely what you will experience. Meet your guide at the Bounty Lodge on Taylors Road, where you will board the comfortable, air-conditioned coach. Be prepared to be enthralled with a comprehensive account of the 4 settlements of Norfolk. 

First stop is the Polynesian Settlement. Your knowledgeable guide will explain how these brave, early settlers navigated the South Pacific. Next is the Colonisation settlement on Norfolk, which was one of utmost importance to the British Empire, as Norfolk was the main supplier of food to the new colony of New South Wales. The Penal Settlement was a harsh era in the history of Norfolk in which convicts were sentenced to hard labour for 7, 14 or 21 years. The fourth settlement on Norfolk dates back to the 8th of June 1856, which is celebrated today amongst the Pitcairn Island families as Bounty Day. This settlement brought, at the bequest of Queen Victoria, the descendants of both the Mutineer on the Bounty and the Whalers who had outgrown the tiny island of Pitcairn. Discover the cultures and traditions of this settlement at the Aatu Orn Museum. 

This tour is exclusive to Spacifica Travel customers and is included when you book your Norfolk Island package. 

Spacifica Travel are travel consultants specialising in Norfolk Island holidays. Browse our latest Norfolk Island travel deals or get in touch on 1800 800 722 to book.