Pacific Island Paradises

– 109 – www.paradises.com signposts. Hiring a bicycle is the easiest way to get around the island but there are a limited number of hire cars available too. All accommodation properties provide free airport transfers for guests. Food and entertainment The Anchorage Restaurant offers meals seven days a week as well as an on-site bakery. There is also a general store for self-catering visitors. The local Golf Club and Bowls Club serve dinner most nights. There are also a number of fine restaurants on the island with Pinetrees being the most popular. Bookings are advisable. Activities For the adventurous, there are charter boats for deep-sea fishing for kingfish and yellowfin tuna, or make the trip out to Blackburn Island by kayak. The highlight of any trip to the island though is the eight-hour, rope-assisted guided walk up Mt. Gower, the highest vertical climb in Australia. Alternatively, there are guided nature walks, fish feeding at Ned's Beach, reef walks, scuba diving, snorkelling, barefoot lawn bowls or just swimming in the crystal clear waters. North Bay is a great spot for picnics, bush walking and bird watching and Lord Howe Environmental Tours offers the chance to view the vast array of underwater life in comfort in their glass-bottom boat cruise on the lagoon. Shopping guide There is a general store and local produce and bulk groceries are available at the Co- Op. Souvenirs are available at Thompson's General Store and the Visitor Centre. Alcohol is available from the Liquor Store, located on Bowker Avenue. Check the Visitors Centre for opening hours. Clothing Casual. A jacket for cooler evenings as it can be windy in winter. Comfortable shoes are essential and good quality walking shoes are advisable for reef walking or bush walking (especially for the Mt Gower climb). Climate Lord Howe Island is a year-round destination. Temperatures rarely fall below 16ºC in winter, or rise above 27ºC in summer. Electricity Diesel generated, 240 volts. Bring a torch to assist in finding your way home at night, as the island has no street lights. Currency Australian dollars. Travellers' cheques can be cashed at the bank agencies or post office. Credit cards are widely accepted and there is an ATM at the bowls club. Tipping is not customary. Visas and health There are no entry requirements and Australian citizens don't need passports. Yachts need to make arrangements for pilotage and moorings. Getting there Qantaslink has direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Port Macquarie, using De Havilland Dash 8 planes with a travel time of two hours. Details available on the Qantas website.

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