Flight details

Getting to Norfolk Island couldn't be easier. Frequent arrivals and departures are from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle flying with Norfolk Air. And Air New Zealand fly from Auckland. It generally only takes around two or three hours to get here. All flights depart from the International terminal.

CLIMATE

In a word: comfortable. One of Norfolk Island's many blessings is a subtropical climate. Average maximums from 18C – 19C in Winter; 23C – 25C in Summer. Cooler at night, by about 6C. Our average rainfall is 1328mm per year; with average humidity in the 74% – 79% range. Wettest months are May to August; driest November to January.

CURRENCY

We use Australian dollars and they work perfectly well. Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted. You can bank at Commonwealth and Westpac branches at Burnt Pine. There's a Commonwealth Bank ATM, and a Cashcard ATM at Island Realty, and some limited EFTPOS on the island.

POPULATION

Our small but perfectly formed world is home to around only 1800 people. In peak tourist season, though, the total can reach up to 2800. Sometimes, tourists combined with temporary residents can exceed the local permanent population. But there's plenty of wide open space for everybody.

DRIVING

Renting a car is an ideal way to see the sights. Please observe a general speed limit of 50km/hr; slowing down to no more than 40km/hr in the shopping centre and 30km in the heritage area at Kingston. Cows, chickens, ducks and other livestock roaming the roads have right of way. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Locals give a friendly ‘Norfolk Wave' to all passing vehicles. We encourage you to do the same.

LANGUAGE

We all speak English, of course. But you'll also often hear us speaking Norf'k, a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790. It has a lilting quality, and we reckon it's very pleasant on the ear. The United Nations has added Norf'k to its list of endangered languages.

PASSPORT

All visitors require a passport or Australian Document of Identity valid for longer than their period of intended stay, plus onward/return airline ticket and proof of accommodation. Australians can obtain a Document of Identity from Australia Post, free of charge. Passports not issued by Australia/New Zealand must be valid for at least 1 month beyond intended stay. An Australian visa is required unless holding an Australian/New Zealand passport or NI resident label. Australian visa must be valid for 30 days beyond period of intended stay. If arriving via Australia, a multiple entry visa is required.

MAP

Here is a guide to the many delightful walking tracks you can explore on Norfolk Island.

GEOGRAPHY

Our beautiful island is a volcanic outcrop 8km long and 5km wide, with a total area of 3855ha. We're 1610km East North East of Sydney; 1456km East South East of Brisbane; 1063km North North West of Auckland; and 772km South East of Noumea. Two small uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to our south.

TIME

We're 1½ hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. During Summertime, ½ an hour ahead of Sydney and 1½ hours behind New Zealand. We wouldn't dream of introducing daylight saving. (Time passes much more slowly here, so we don't need to save it...)

TRANSPORT

There is no public transport, so a rental car is the most practical way to get around the island. Car hire from around $30 per day, plus a daily insurance cost payable direct to the car company. Sometimes your accommodation will include a hire car. For the fit, there are mountain bikes for hire and plans ahead for scooters to hire. A taxi is available, but you have to phone for it.

MEDICAL

Norfolk Island Hospital provides a dental clinic, pharmacy and 24-hour emergency service. Private travel insurance is highly recommended, as Australian Medicare does not extend to Norfolk Island.

CUSTOMS

Imports of fruit, vegetables, flowers and seeds are prohibited. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are also prohibited. The duty-free allowance for passengers over 18 years of age is 2.25 litres of alcohol and 250 grams of tobacco products.

WEDDINGS

On Norfolk Island, romance is always in the air... Choose one of several historic churches to exchange your vows, or a scenic location. Florist, hair, makeup, cars and other wedding services are available on the island. Attractive wedding packages are offered by some of our hotels and guesthouses. Email info@norfolkisland.nf for further information.

ELECTRICITY

240 volts AC, 50 cycles, using a 3-pin Australian-style plug. Our electricity is generally excellent, but is produced by diesel generators. So we suggest you use a surge protection device for delicate electronic equipment – particularly computers.