History, Life & Wonder – Norfolk Island Travel Ideas

If you’re looking for Norfolk Island travel ideas, then you’ve come to the right place. Here at Spacifica Travel we love Norfolk Island and are always excited to chat about your next Norfolk Island holiday.

There’s so much to do on this 8x5 kilometre island, but where do you even start? There’s snorkelling in vibrant reefs, strolling along beautiful beaches, renowned hiking trails, history around every corner and great dining experiences to be had.

Your first stop when looking at Norfolk Island travel is a great accommodation and flight deal. Have a look at our Norfolk Island packages to see what suits your travel best. Next we’d recommend adding on some tours, so you can experience and learn about everything this island paradise has to offer. Joining a guided tour is one of the best ways to get an insight on island life during your Norfolk Island travels

There are tours that explore the convict history and World Heritage-listed Kingston area. Spooky ghost tours that tell of Norfolk’s troubled past. Bushwalking tours that will take you through lush rainforests to scenic clifftops. Farm and food experiences that will tickle everyone’s taste buds. You’re truly spoilt for choice when travelling to Norfolk Island.

Some of the many tour choices are:

Island Orientation Coach Tour

A good place to start your Norfolk Island holiday is with an orientation tour. Not only is it a great way to get your bearings of the island, but you will see some historic sites along the way and hear tales of the past, like the gruesome story of the aptly named Bloody Bridge.

Island Life Tour

With Norfolk Island located 1,412 kilometres off the east coast of Australia, being so far from the mainland makes you wonder how food, fuel, and other goods travel to Norfolk Island. The Island Life Tour answers these questions and more. During this six hour tour, you will spend a delightful day learning about modern island life, including:

• The island’s ethnic groups

• Nationalities present on the island

• Languages spoken, including the Norfolk Island indigenous language

• How and where islanders are born, educated, find work and careers, and attend various churches

• Health and medical services

Your experienced guide will explain the eight original family groups and how their cultural traits are fostered and valued in today’s daily life.

Wars of Change Tour

This little island community wasn’t exempt from the effects of the war, and you will discover artefacts and history throughout your Norfolk Island travels during your stay here. During an afternoon tour learn about the social impact on the community from World War II.

Your experienced guide will tell you what happened when a major part of the island’s male population left the community to join the fight. During this time defence troops were posted to the island also creating a huge impact. Another wartime disruption was the construction of the Norfolk Island airport. This created a lot of destruction to mature Norfolk Island Pines and homes, but it did pave the way for future tourism and travel to Norfolk Island.

You will also tour some historic sites. This includes war machinery including artillery emplacements and radar stations, as well as tented accommodation for troops and water supply facilities. You’ll truly get a feel for the locals and a greater understanding of what this community has gone through to be where they are now.

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.

History in the Making Tour

A must do Norfolk Island tour is the History in the Making Tour with Aata Orn tours. Aata 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 Aata Orn Museum.

There is so much to learn about Norfolk Island, if you are hungry for more, read on for more insight about this fascinating island and it’s history.

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.

Attractions, Museums & More

Are you looking to add more to your Norfolk Island package? Here are some fantastic extras that will connect you to the island's past.

• Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama: an amazing 360° panoramic painting bringing to life the infamous Mutiny on the Bounty with realistic 3D effects.

• The Bounty Folk Museum: a treasure trove of history where you can browse through handwritten research books, open a trunk dating back to 19th century Pitcairn Island, trace the family trees of Norfolk Islanders, and more! You could spend days exploring this incredible museum, and the best part is, you can too. Your ticket includes unlimited entry during your visit (plus free Wi-Fi!)

• Dine at Bailey's Restaurant: once the home of Herbert and Clara ‘Settie’ Bailey, children of arrivals from the Bounty, this old island home now caters for dinner guests at Governor's Lodge.

• Norfolk Island Cemetery: the place for a who's who of Norfolk Island history! Find First Fleet convicts, soldiers, sailors, descendants of Bounty mutineers and other island residents, including beloved novelist Colleen McCullough. For the adventurous try a lantern lit ghost tour!

• Dinner Theatres: for a light-hearted, fun and sometimes cheeky take on Norfolk’s history, try an interactive dinner tour. Some of our favourites are Commandants Dinner, Murder Mystery Dinner, and Night As A Convict.

Experience Norfolk Island with Spacifica Travel

There is so much to explore and experience on Norfolk Island. To discover a Norfolk Island holiday package you’ll never forget, talk to the experts at Spacifca Travel Contact us by calling us today on 1800 800 722!