The 9 Best Things to Do on Norfolk Island
Opens in a new tab or windowNorfolk Island is full of surprises.
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Emily Bay
Norfolk Island
Swim at beaches trimmed with golden sand or explore charming stone cottages and walks through lush green meadows and towering pines. There’s no other destination quite like Norfolk Island, and all a short flight from mainland Australia. Find out more in our travel guide.
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Places to stay
Natural beauty is what brings travellers to these shores, and no matter where on the island you find yourself, you’re in for a scenic treat. The township of Burnt Pine is perched in the middle of the island, and from here you can travel just about anywhere within a 15-minute drive along country lanes.
Choose your base and explore the island from the independence of a self-contained holiday apartment or the charm of a historic cottage. Experience local hospitality with a homestay through Airbnb.
Things to do
Surrounded by miles of sandy coast, on Norfolk Island you’ll never be too far from an ocean lookout or a stroll to the sea.
You can’t beat a swim or snorkel through the sparkling waters of Emily Bay, one of Australia’s clearest beaches protected by coral reef and home to an abundance of underwater life. Rent a surfboard and catch a wave at favourite surf breaks Anson Bay or Ball Bay, or venture further into the blue with a deep-sea fishing charter or glass bottom boat tour.
Take your pick of uncrowded hiking trails that criss-cross the island among the soaring Norfolk pines and Moreton Bay figs of the Norfolk Island National Park. Walk over rolling green hills, and rugged cliffs offering expansive views across the island and waters beyond — and be sure to keep an eye out for the unique birdlife, dolphins and migrating whales that pass by.
Dive into a rich history of Polynesian seafarers, convict past and Pitcairn Islander history at one of the four museums on the island, and visit the meticulously maintained convict settlement at Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, also home to the world’s only golf course on a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Where to go
From gardens and green meadows to striking Pacific sunsets and the incredible rockfaces of neighbouring Phillip Island, Norfolk Island is a destination soaked in history and brimming with beauty and local produce just waiting to be sampled. Fill your days with discovery or throw out your plans and go nowhere at all. Pack a book, lap up the serenity and spend your stay on the closest beach – we wouldn’t blame you in the slightest.
Food and drink
This is the land of volcanic soil, deep-sea fishing and paddock-to-plate cuisine, so why not embrace the location and make your meals part of the experience. Drop in for a local drop at Two Chimneys WineOpens in a new tab or windows cellar door or Norfolk Island Brewery. Sample the freshest cheese while perched cliffside with the resident goats at Hili Goat micro-farm, before browsing pottery and local art on site.
On Saturdays gather picnic ingredients direct from the growers at the farmers’ marketOpens in a new tab or window or roadside produce stalls and picnic at Puppy's PointOpens in a new tab or window
Phillip Island
Venture across the sea and discover why this uniquely rugged island with its rusty orange rockface is known as ‘the Uluru of the Pacific’.
Local tour operators can take you there for the day and teach you more about the geography of the land and unique local seabird population. On days that the seas are too rough to make the journey, there are dozens of walking tracks on Norfolk Island itself — crossing through the national park, paddocks and cliffs with views across to the majestic Phillip Island instead.
Getting around
From the airport: Rental car operators are available from the airport terminal and many accommodation providers offer airport transfers. A small taxi company also operates on the island during certain periods.
Around the island: There is no public transport on Norfolk Island, so unless you’re planning tours, the best way to get around is with a hire car. Be sure to drive cautiously, as sharing the road with wandering livestock is all part of the experience. If you’d prefer to dial up the adventure to get around town, why not hire a bike?
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