Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island NSW 2898 (Pop 350 & tourists restricted to 400 at one time)

This small (56 sq km – 10 km long x 2 km wide) Pacific island is about 500 km east of the northern NSW coast. It was discovered in 1788 by HMS Supply’s Lt Henry Lidgbird Ball transporting convicts to the Norfolk Island penal settlement and Mount Lidgbird (777 m) and Ball’s Pyramid are both named after him. The island was named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, Richard Howe. A permanent settlement was established in 1834 and an airstrip built in 1974. It is administered and governed by the Lord Howe Island Board.  The only native mammal here is the Large Forest Bat and the two terrestrial reptlies are the skink and gecko. There are over 400 fish species and more than 80 coral species. There are thousands of seabirds with the world’s only breeding colony of providence petrels. About 10% of the forests have been cleared for agriculture. Discovery Day (Feb), Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race (Oct/Nov), Lord Howe Island Golf Open (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Ned’s Beach (n-e) a beautiful surfing, snorkeling and swimming beach where fish can be handfed. Malabar Hill (north) for stunning island views. The Lagoon (west) a 6 km long lagoon enclosed by a coral reef and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Mt Gower (south) is the island’s highest point at 875 m and a 9 hour guided walk leads to the summit through forests, orchids and basalt outcrops.

Nearby:
Balls Pyramid (16 km south) is a rocky volcanic outcrop 551 m high with excellent deep-sea fishing in the area.
 
Lord Howe Island Visitor Information Centre: (freecall Australia) 1800 240 937 or (612) 6563 2114.

Airport:
Lord Howe Island (LDH)

Hospital:
Lord Howe Hospital, Lagoon Rd. Tel (02) 6563 2000