Norfolk Island 2012

During October we spent both an interesting and very enjoyable 4 days visiting a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand, and 1,412 kilometres (877 mi) directly east of Australia's mainland.

Despite being quite small, Norfolk Island has a large and very rich history, worthy of a little discussion first, so here goes.

The island was first populated by east Polynesians but was also for a long time later unpopulated, until the British did as part of its settlement of Australia in 1788, when it then became a cruel penal colony from 6th March 1788 until May 1855.  There was a 11 year period during this time when it was again left abandoned.

On the 8th June 1856, the island was settled permanently when people were moved from Pitcairn Island to Norfolk Island.  These new settlers included those people who had been involved in the infamous 'Mutiny on the Bounty' saga.

The first European to sight Norfolk Island was that great mariner and explorer, Captain James Cook on 10th October 1774 when amongst a few things he observed were the very tall and straight Norfolk Pines, native to this island.

The solitary tall Norfolk Pine in the middle was also there when Captain Cook arrived

When we arrived onto the island, we had to go through Customs and show our passports... a little odd we thought considering this island was actually an Australian territory managed through the NSW Parliament.

After picking up our hire car and being warned not to hit any of the cattle that have right of way everywhere and allowed to wander wherever they want, we checked into our very modern accomodation in the main town/settlement of Burnt Pine.

Over the next few days we explored the island and went on a few tours, one of which was highly educational and came in the form of a progressive dinner to 3 different residents own homes.

These residents were all direct descendants of the original Pitcairn Island settlers, including some with the surname 'Christian' of Fletcher Christian fame.  They shared with us some their family history and what it is now like to live on the island... tax free but with all the benefits Australia provides like solar system rebates.

You also learn very quickly that you need to wave to anyone passing by when you're either driving or walking when they drive past also.  Friendly bunch they are!

This is a very scenic island with delightful restaurants and cafes spread throughout, so we spent our time learning more about its history.

Part of the Penal Colony in the distance

By 1825, Norfolk Island had become the most notorious penal stations in the world and whilst some stories over time were apparently exaggerated, it was a location where severe penalties were exacted for little cause and many people now occupy the cemetery... both convicts and original settlers.

Only one of the eternal residents on Norfolk

Original Governor's and other British officer's residences

But it really is the scenery on and along the coastline of the island which had us a little in awe because the air was incredibly clean and the scenery beautiful.

Stunning drive within the island

Phillip Island off Norfolk Island

This island has a very rugged coastline and a port which welcomes many tourists on cruise ships.  Additionally everything needs to be imported onto the island, key examples being fuel for electricity generation, food, building & roadwork materials, cars, trucks, buses and the list goes on and on.

The challenge the islanders have is that there is no wharf for any ship to tie up to to disgorge its cargo... including the tourists.

Very early one morning we were able to watch how they deal with this when a large cruise ship arrived and all the large traditionally shaped whale tender boats went out to ferry the tourists to a very small wharf.

These same tender boats are used when cargo arrives.  To offload cars, trucks and buses, they latch large strong planks between multiple tenders and then crane these large items onto the planks before then heading to shore for them to be craned off onto the island.

Only in very rough seas are they unable to bring things ashore.

A few of the earlier whaleboats boats used to tender goods to the island... they were rowed out & in

modern tender boats heading out to bring crucial tourist onto the island

If you want somewhere to visit that is isolated, friendly, very historic and beautiful, Norfolk Island might just be worth consideration.