Lord Howe Island is a bucket list destination and is fast becoming the destination of choice following the many celebrities who have been spotted holidaying there and the raving reviews from many a travel publication. To help you ensure you make the most of your time on the island and don’t miss a thing we have created a 7 night itinerary that you can use as a guide for your upcoming Lord Howe Island getaway!

Day 1: Saturday

Qantas operates a daily service from Sydney so to maximise your time off work and not eat into too many precious annual leave days our itinerary starts on a Saturday. The flight to Lord Howe Island is direct and short at 2 hours. The aircraft is a Dash 8 so be warned, your luggage allowance is reduced to 14kgs but as you are heading to an island paradise just remember to keep it light and wear those layers. Being a small airport on a small island you disembark the aircraft and walk to the tarmac to gain access to the terminal. Right from the start you gain that sense of holiday, feeling the sun and island breeze on your face as soon as you leave the aircraft. Once you have your luggage, head out the front doors of the terminal to your chosen accommodation’s complimentary airport transfer. The airport is only 2kms from town so the ride to your lodgings is short but gives you the opportunity to orientate yourself so that after checking in you can head back into town to pick up some supplies. We highly recommend some wine and nibbles in addition to the essentials so you can spend the evening back at your room taking in the views and atmosphere of the island. It’s the perfect way to start your holiday and ease into island time.             

Day 2: Sunday

It’s your first full day on the island so don’t rush, treat yourself to a lie in. Take a wander back into town and continue on down to Lagoon Beach for a leisurely stroll. If you are up for more of an adventure head off on one of the many walking trails that branch out from town and start to explore the natural wonder of this World Heritage Island. Later in the evening take advantage of the complimentary restaurant transfers many of the accommodations offer and dine out on local cuisine – be sure to try the island delicacy Kingfish at least once during your stay.                                         

Day 3: Monday

Fall into the swing of island life and be like the locals, grab yourself a hire bicycle, pack a picnic lunch and go exploring. Cycling between walking trackheads and the beachside destinations is an integral part of the Lord Howe experience and the relaxed open road network around the centre of the island makes it easy. You can head over to Old Settlement Beach, Middle Beach or Blinky Beach for a beach day, make sure you have your snorkel gear with you to witness the vibrant underwater wonders. Alternatively you can cycle to the start of one of the many walking trails on the island and venture inland. The choice of trails range from easy strolls at sea level through lush kentia palm and banyan forests, to moderate cliff-top hikes where you’ll see seabirds wheeling on the thermals; good shoes, a camera and water bottle are a must.
After your day of exploring head into town in the evening for an Ian Hutton lecture. Ian has lived on Lord Howe Island since 1980. During that time he has been involved in various research projects from seabirds, endangered plant surveys and climate change. In 2005 Ian was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to conservation and tourism on Lord Howe Island. Monday nights is the ‘Complete look at Lord Howe Island’ lecture, well worth the hour of your time.

Day 4: Tuesday

Start your day with a visit to the Lord Howe Island Museum and the local galleries which showcase the unique arts and crafts of local residents past and present. Have a quick bite to eat in town for lunch before spending the afternoon discovering beautiful North Bay and the marine sanctuary located there. Cruise to the Bay in a glass bottom boat viewing turtles, corals and tropical fish on the way. If you are up for a snorkel take the a 25 minute tour to the Wreck of the ‘Favourite’, a ship which ran aground on the reef in 1965 which is now home to hundreds of fish and coral species. When you get to North Bay, you can choose to: Join a guided seabird beachcombing and geology walk on the Beach at Norfolk Bay; Climb Mt Eliza for stunning views overlooking the lagoon; or Explore the Old Gulch, a rocky ocean inlet. After such a full day, a night in using the facilities of your self-contained accommodation is called for.

Day 5: Wednesday

You are halfway through your holiday but it’s not time to slow down just yet. Pack a backpack with lunch, snacks, water and camera and don your hat, trekking clothes and comfortable shoes because today you are spending the day trekking Mount Gower. The Mount Gower Trek justly deserves its ranking as one of Australia’s top day walks. Taking approximately five hours to reach the summit at 875 metres and another four hours to return, this trek should not be taken lightly. During the trek you will enjoy the views of Balls Pyramid, Mt Lidgbird, the lagoon and the Island’s northern settlement area. You will also discover the mist forest on the summit of Mt Gower containing trees, ferns, mosses and orchids seen nowhere else on the planet. Your guide Dean was the Lord Howe Island Ranger for 16 years and his extensive knowledge will ensure a memorable day in which you will learn about the World Heritage-listed island’s values and its amazing natural history. As an A class bird bander and manager of the Island’s Woodhen monitoring program for many years, Dean will reveal to you the secret lives of some of the Island’s rarer bird species.
If you are not too tired after the days adventure head into town and join the locals for a historical movie viewing at the Community Hall.

Day 6: Thursday

It’s time to head back to the water, this time on a Guided Ocean Kayak Adventure. This tour can be tailor made for all levels of ability and fitness, from challenging adventures through to relaxing eco-experiences. The trips are designed for paddlers of all ages and ability levels – all you have to bring is energy. The afternoon is yours to relax, put your feet up with a good book or take an afternoon siesta, rest and recharge those batteries for your Night Snorkelling and Coral Fluorescence Tour. Conducted from a glass bottom boat, this tour operates within the calm protected environment of the lagoon. Snorkelers are provided with specially designed underwater torches that enable them to view coral fluorescence and the snorkelling locations are clearly marked with illuminated boundary markers enabling participants to safely navigate their way around the site.

Day 7: Friday

For your last full day on the island head over to Ned’s Beach, famous for being the location where you can hand feed the fish. As soon as you wade into the clear waters you will instantly be surrounded by a feeding frenzy of Mullet, Wrasse, Garfish, Silver-drummer, Spangled Emperor and Kingfish. Take advantage of one of the communal beach BBQs, with its scenic view and pack yourself a picnic lunch to take with you or have fresh fish delivered to your accommodation in the morning for you to cook and eat at lunch. It is the perfect way to spend your last day on the island. Spend the evening eating out as you don’t want to be concerning yourself with dishes on your final evening, tonight is all about enjoying these last precious holiday moments.

Day 8: Saturday

Today is the day to say farewell to Lord Howe Island for the moment, as we have no doubt you will be back again one day. Be sure to say goodbye to the new friends you have made and swap email addresses. Have a lazy breakfast in town before heading back to the airport and back to waiting family and friends armed with fantastic photos and wonderful memories.

The above is a guide on how to make the most of your week on Lord Howe Island. If you would like more information on any of these activities or recommendations or are ready to book in your itinerary then please call our specialists on 1800 800 722.