Pacific Island Paradises

– 132 – www.paradises.com military barracks, boat sheds, crank mill, salthouse and official residences which still stand today and have been beautifully restored. This second settlement was finally closed in 1855 and the island remained uninhabited until 1856 when the Bounty descendants arrived from Pitcairn Island. In 1914, the island was placed under the authority of Australia and in 1979 it was empowered to elect its own parliament. With such a colourful and bloody history, it is not surprising that Richard Davis, author of Ghost Guide to Australia, claims that Norfolk is the most haunted place in Australia with more documented ghosts per square kilometre than any other state or territory! Nature Home of the Norfolk pine, the largest of these magnificent trees is 57 metres high and has a girth of 11 metres. The island's clear night skies are a stargazer's delight and scientists say that Norfolk has the cleanest air in the world after Antarctica. There is prolific bird life and Norfolk harbours what is thought to be the world's rarest bird, the Norfolk Island Boobook Owl. In the lagoon and ocean reefs there are more than 100 varieties of hard and soft corals. There are no snakes or poisonous spiders on the island. Cattle and ducks roam the island and have right of way on the roads. One-third of the island's land mass is parkland, national parks and reserves and there's a specially designed waste disposal area so no harm is done to the ecosystem. Nearby at Philip and Nepean Islands are large bird sanctuaries that have been left untouched. The sights You can visit the world heritage listed site historical penal compound at Kingston and see what is thought of as the best preserved collection of Georgian buildings in the southern hemisphere along with the fascinating tombstones in Kingston Cemetery. There is Mt Bates, Mt Pitt, Emily Bay and the historic chapel of St Barnabas. Explore the ruins on your own or witness one of the vivid re-enactments of Norfolk's time as a penal colony. "The Trial of the 15" is a humorous play about the island's history, while Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama is a spectacular indoor 360-degree 3D painting that visitors step into. There are plenty of tours and events to choose from. They include fishing, bush-walking along rugged cliff tops and trails, or explore the island on a 4WD tour. "Walk in the Wild" is a private rainforest tour, there are also guided bird watching tours, the History in the Making Tour where you can learn about past working settlements of Norfolk. The Hilli Goat Farm tour lets you meet Cheeky Goats and wander though the Edible Gardens whilst the Milking and Cheese making process is explained. Finished off with a delicious platter of freshly made Goats Cheese and edible delights that have been freshly picked. Where to stay There are over 60 properties which range from self-contained apartments and hotel resorts to luxury cottages and houses. Most properties include a hire car and some properties are also green star accredited for being environmentally friendly. Getting around There is no public transport. Car hire is among the cheapest in the world and push bikes are also available for hire. There is a taxi service but bookings are recommended. Food and entertainment Food is seasonal, fresh and island grown. There are no nightclubs, however some of the hotels have live music. There are several fine dining restaurants such as Dino's, Hilli Restaurant and Jolly Roger. Their menu includes steak and seafood and the bar offers a range of cocktails. Activities Norfolk is a sporting paradise, in fact the island's cricket pitch is the oldest in the southern hemisphere with the first match played on it in 1838. Sporting activities include golf, bowls, tennis, fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, bush walking and hiking. Shopping Norfolk is a retail paradise. Its duty free status means shoppers can pick up many bargains on cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, cameras, imported shoes, designer clothes, as well as classic collectables. For local arts and crafts, checking out the unique island markets is a must, they are held every Sunday morning in the Bicentennial Complex. Climate Subtropical. Winter averages 19 o C. Summer averages 24 o C. Clothing Casual clothing, good walking shoes. Warmer clothes are needed for winter evenings. Currency Currency used is Australian dollars, credit cards are accepted. Tipping is at your discretion. — N o r f o l k I s l a n d —

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