Norfolk Island Tours and touring

We went to Norfolk Island for two reasons, one we have always want to go, and two the history. Last post was about the history and one can not visit Norfolk without being immersed in the history. Our first stop was the Information centre to get brochures on the many different tours and a couple of maps.

We used one map as our everyday car map and the other one, where we transfered the roads we drove on each day, we kept.  Located at the Bi-centenary Centre, after the info centre check the Bounty statue and the monument to the Pitcairn (Bounty descendants) who settled in Norfolk Island. We did do some web surfing at home before we left so we did have an idea of what was available and what we wanted to do. 

Start with 'There is more to Norfolk Island' for accommodation, tours etc. Remember a car is needed on the island as there is no public transport, and we made sure we travelled on every road on the island. Tours can be divided into: history; food; adventure; and nature. The tours can be organised bus tours or individual do it yourself. We didn't do a lot of organised tours and preferred to do our own thing, which was pretty easy. The tour guides were a wealth of knowledge and told us little extra bits and pieces about the island and its people. There appeared to be two main tour companies Pinetree Tours and Baunti Escapes. An orientation tour on the first day is a good idea, and is often included with the accommodation. 

There is just so much to see and do on Norfolk: The Pitcairn Settlers Village, Cyclorama, Queen Victoria Gardens and Hillies Cafe are all in the same area, not far from Burnt Pine Township. We went to the Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama first, a circular building with large murals depicting the history of the Bounty, the mutineers, and their arrival on Norfolk. We also looked around the gallery, and then the beautiful Queen Victoria Gardens.

In the centre of the gardens is a gazebo with the names of the first Pitcairn families who arrived on the Island with the blessing of Queen Victoria.

It also has the history of Queen Victoria.

Explore the historic Kingston and Pier area. We did tag along tours, cemetery tour and explored ourselves. There are plenty of information boards.

Historical dramas are reenacted in different venues, and some include meals: Trial of Fifteen; The Commandants Dinner; Night as a Convict. Night time tours including ghost tours are available. The cemetery Ghost tour is on my list for next time. There was also an Island Adventures 4wd tour that Peter wanted to do but we had other booking at the times it was running, so next time. Peter did do a fishing charter. Doing a fishing charter early in the stay will provide fish meals for many nights. Peter used Advance Fishing for a half day fishing trip and loved it. We ate fish for a week! They also run cruises to Phillip Island and glass bottom boats.

The beaches are beautiful. Some are easy to get to like Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay, and some are more difficult to get to like Anson Bay. We went to many different beaches and parks for picnic lunch each day. Emily Bay was our favourite. We took our snorkling gear but didn't use it, probably because it was October and the middle of Spring. We did go for a swim at Emily Bay, the water was beautiful - cold but beautiful.

Go to the Bond Store in Burnt Pine for the Farmers Markets on Saturday 7am-9.30am and the Art and Craft Markets on Sunday 8.30am-11am. Visit Strawberry Fields and the mazes. A small hedge maze and a much larger one further in the garden. There are funny little signs all through the garden.

 Even a stop in the car park to read the parking signs is worth it.

Drive to Mt Pitt, and do a bush walk. There are many walks on Norfolk Island, long and short, bush and coastal.

Walks in the Botanical Gardens, along forest boardwalks, and a visit the Discovery Centre;

Captain Cook Lookout - good walks and great for a picnic lunch.

Discover Cascade Bay, the jetty used when the seas are too rough at Kingston Pier.

... and the Cockpit Waterfall, if running. Best to go a day after rain, which gives the  road time to dry out to make it driveable and the waterfall may be running. Cascade Bay also has the remains of the whaling station.

Take time to explore St Barbabus Church. 

Look at the different shell patterns on both sides of the benches.

And check the giant fig at the back of the church along with the old headstones that have been removed from the valley. 

One of the most fascinating things we were fortunate enough to see was the unloading of the cargo ship at the historic Kingston Pier. If you are lucky to be visiting when you are there, take a picnic lunch down to the heritage pier and just watch. We didn't try Geocashing there, and should have. We found out late in the trip that the information centre has details.

In the centre of town (Burnt Pine) is a display of hands.

 We learnt the display is a push for Self Government for Norfolk Island. There is a tent embassy in Kingston with information and we had a good chat with a fellow there about it.

 We drove every road and came across a bottle house,

 a street of 'roof' house names....

So much more - the giant Moreton Bay Figs, cultural tours, Colleen McCullough's home, the art galleries, the unique cafes and shops .....

..... and don't forget to check the phone book for the nicknames section!