Lord Howe Island is a small Australian Island located in the east of Port Macquarie witnessing the country’s most beautiful natural beauty, unique biodiversity and outdoor activities. Since it holds the country’s beautiful lush rainforest, crystal clear waters, pristine environments and endangered wildlife, the island is recognised as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you want to be part of this beautiful Lord Howe Island there are things you need to know before packing your travel backpack.
It is my pleasure to say Lord Howe Island offers world class snorkelling, hiking trails and incredible marine life’s (90 sorts of coral species and 500 types of coral reefs) add more value and depth to your travel. However its caves, volcanic views and scuba diving options make it one of you must favourite eco tourists and nature centric destinations in Australia. It is a crucial point I would like to say before I start to explain more briefly about the island, Lord Howe Island allows only 400 visitors at a time, so read clearly below article and add your upcoming travel destination idea.
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Things to Do in Lord Howe Island
1. Enjoy your Time with Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
It is really a great idea to start to explore Lord Howe Island in order to take up popular snorkelling and Scuba Diving. Lord Howe Island Marine Park is the starting point to snorkelling or scuba diving, where more tropical coral reefs and abundant diverse marine life are located. If you enter beneath water of the sea more than 90 coral species come closer your eyes and also you’ll get an opportunity to touch different species of fishes.
The most recommended activity for both snorkelling and scuba diving, it has around 60 premier scuba diving sites and each one exhibits more underwater world species which you’re not going to find anywhere else. Although activity captures our mind even through its awe inspiring trenches, caves and volcanic drop offs, so don’t miss it. Visit NSW for scuba diving tours and snorkelling with glass bottom boat trips.
2. Hike to Mount Gower
Along with its brilliant underwater activities, Lord Howe Island is also recognised for its breathtaking hiking trails. It boasts Valley of the Shadows, Malabar Hill hiking trails to backpackers, but Mount Gower is more famous among that. Mount Gower, considered as the most challenging yet interesting hiking trail, offers us to indulge in the beauty such as terrains and panoramic view of the Beach.
Backpackers need to climb 875 meters to reach its summit (largest in the Lord Howe) since nested above 2,871 from sea level. It is up to you how much time you need to dedicate to climbing, but approximately 8 hours is maximum to reach the summit. Use rope assisted climb for better experience, and it will ease your hiking journey. Since the trail is challenging, it is better to choose a valid guide not just to help to reach the top of it but also learn wildlife, local flora and faunas.
3. Spend Your Time with Birds
It wasn’t just activity, it is a kind of physical well-being and a great way to reduce mental stress. In the same way, watching the amount of bird species in Lord Howe Island is a windless activity to nature lovers. Despite being a premier birdwatching destination in Australia, the region offers the most endangered and rare bird species to visitors. Home to more than 130 permanent and migratory bird species, out of that 14 species of sea birds breeding here.
Red tailed tropicbirds are main attractions here, visitors going to find these sorts of bird species during the month of November to June. During these seasons these red tailed tropic birds are performing their balletic and airborne counting rituals. In the same way, Shewaters (muttonbirds) are another ideal bird species flying above our heads during sunset time, usually returning to the island. Besides these bird sections, you are going to spot other popular species like Sooty Terns, Petrel and black winged petrel.
4. Visit Ned’s Beach
Ned’s Beach is often known for its calm atmosphere, sandy shore and feed fishes in its calm waters. Home of hand feeding fish where visitors can feed to popular fish species like garfish, wrasse and mullet. Ned’s Beach is located in the north east corner of the Lord Howe Island, while enjoying your fish feeding you’ll feel golden sands and crystal clear waters.
Perfect place if you came with your family since the beach contains a number of water activities especially for kids. Kids can paddle at the edge or snorkel above the colorful kaleidoscope of fish and corals. Although perfect gateway to your relaxing destination under Lord Howe Island through additional activities like snorkelling for experiencing coral reef and fishing.
5. Go for Fishing
Fishing again is a great way to spend your free time here in Lord Howe Island and kill your stress in order to enjoy breathtaking water views. Fishing doesn’t require more experience and expertise and all you need to know is what fish species are available, in fact Kinfish, Yellowfish, Tuna, Wahoo and other smaller species are dominating the region. Fishing Booker helps us to do fishing activities in regions like the South West Bank, Balls Pyramid, and other parts of the island.
Another ideal activity for family visitors, where even children too spend their time. Family members go fishing to catch up garfish, bluefish, kingfish and double headers in different areas of the island. If you are not a big fan of boat riding, use islands, beaches, rock fishing platforms and jetty where you and your family members can involve in fishing. Bear in mind that fishing is strictly not allowed within the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
6. Spend Time with Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Both Kayaking and Paddleboarding are great ways to explore the sheltered waters of the island. Both Kayaking and Paddleboardings are moved around Rabbit Islands and help us to experience the close up feeling of the North Bay beaches and Old Settlement Beach. It is really fantastic to look around the sea creatures like fish species, sea turtles and Spanish dancers under its clear aquamarine water. Plenty of boards and kayaks are offered to us to choose from and each one has a price tag.
Kayaking has a more depth and value here in Lord Howe Island since most of the visitors would like to choose it. During your kayaking you’re much fortunate to see colorful coral gardens, sea birds, calm waves and volcanic peaks of the island. However, kayaking will also take you to the remote regions of NSW Marine Park buoys and Eye of Roach, known as a large cave located just 2km away from Ned’s beach, known for haunting experience and more deep, home for sharks, big fish species and turtles.
7. Indulge in Wellness Retreats
Despite its beaches, activities and wildlife, Lord Howe Island is a great spot for travelers to relax and rejuvenate. There are plenty of things exclusively for recovery with a relaxing and remedial massage including island’s popular Physiotherapy. We insist you to attend any yoga classes or visit resorts like Arajilla Retreats where laid back ambiances and friendly services exist.
Lord Howa Yoga is a renowned programme that offers weekly classes to private sessions and 1day retreats to balance our breath, pause and reconnect. Capella Lodge offers ancient style therapies and treatments to visitors such as Buruwang Dreaming kelp exfoliation and sacred stone therapies.
Best Time to Visit Lord Howe Island
Travel is all about Time, when you are visiting and what you are doing during that time. Not all destinations are so friendly at all times, so in the same way visiting Lord Howe Island will also sit in the same row.
The island is an ideal travel spot if you step in between September to May, when weather includes mild temperatures perfect for multiple activities like hiking, fishing, wildlife watching and water activities like snorkelling/scuba diving and kayaking. However travelers find less travel crowds making it help to experience more fun and joy here in Lord Howe Island.
How to Reach Lord Howe Island?
Located 700 km from the capital city of Sydney, visitors can easily reach Lord Howe Island Airport through flights from different Australian cities or places (2 hour journey). But if you are an International Visitor it is better to take flights to Sydney Airport (daily flights departing from Sydney Airport). Qantas Link is the greatest regional airline service offered to Lord Howe Island from Sydney. Apart from Qantas Link, Eastern Air Services also offers weekly flight services and charters from Port Macquarie, the Gold Coast and Newcastle to here.
How to Get Around the Island?
Getting around Lord Howe Island is very easy, visitors need to rent a bike which is available in Wilson’s Hire. But you just need to pay $ 12 per day, bike ride easy to reach major accommodation options, and dinner drop offs, you can take wherever you want. Make sure that bikes are available for us from Sunday to Friday, between 9 am to 5 pm. If you are looking for a budget conscious trip, the island is even more accessible through walking and cycling.
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