8 Tips for Visting Lord Howe Island, Australia

This post details tips to enjoy the spectacular Lord Howe Island. This World Heritage island boasts everything from beautiful landscapes to amazing food and relaxing vibes.

Lord Howe Islands and a sunset

Visiting Lord Howe Island in Australia is a special treat because only a few people are allowed on the island at any given time. Tourists wait with anticipation to get their chance to visit the location.

Many find the excursion enticing given the fact that you can leave the chaotic pace of the modern age behind in favor of a remote, lush, nature-based environment. Read this for guidance on taking your island excursion.

There you will not see the cold cape of high-rise structures or overhead power lines. There is minimal internet access and no mobile services. It is reminiscent of being secluded on a desert island that is merely 6.8 miles (ca. 11 km) in length and only 1.7 miles (2.74 km) at its greatest width. 

People who escape to this paradise do so to embrace the slower pace with bikes as the fastest mode of transportation, the sounds of nature including birds singing, the fresh air, and the shoes-optional mentality.  When the time comes to board the plane home, it is challenging to leave such simplicity.

Lord Howe Island On Holiday

The population for Lord Howe is sparse at nearly 380, less than the number of tourists allowed on the island at 400. Because the island is approximately two hours away from the mainland, some concessions deliveries are made on the ‘fortnight.’ 

Take note of local gardens, wild seafood or kingfish, and various gourmet offerings. These delicacies are something everyone visiting should indulge in. Anyone interested in consuming a diet that is all-natural, healthy, and organic can’t do any better than this.

Man walking in the woods about to go on a hike in Lord Howe Islands

Hiking the trails and the beaches. 

When you visit Lord Howe you should be prepared for hiking. You’ll see a large part of the island on foot. One challenge is hiking Mount Gower, that is, if you’re especially fit and desire some adventure. The hike consists of an 8.7 mile (ca. 14 km) return hike that will last for over eight hours and requires a registered guide to tag along for which there are only two available. 

One of these two guides has summited over 1800 different times with his counterpart having been a ranger for the island for over 15 years, incorporating his knowledge into the tours.

Practical Tips for Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe is designated as a  “World-Heritage” listed island boasting among the most idyllic tourist destinations. Locals refer to it merely as ‘the island.’

It should genuinely make everyone’s bucket list for several reasons, whether you want to simply get away for a week to read a book and enjoy nature, swim in crystal clear waters, go snorkeling, bush walk, fish or golf, enjoy good food, explore, and so much more. Learn what makes Lord Howe so special at https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/6465476/whats-all-the-fuss-about-lord-howe-island/ .

Everything moves slowly, there is no racing, no chaos or stress, no schedules to meet. With so few people it’s so easy to find a place to isolate on a beach or take a solo hike. 

Golf cart on a golf course

There are accommodations for people who want to go on a Lord Howe Island holiday that suit nearly any budget and specific needs from guesthouses run by local families to high-end resorts with packages being offered. It is almost reminiscent of a resort town without the crowds, the cars, and the blatant commercialism.

Practical tips:

  • Nice times to visit are between March and May as far as the temperatures. The currents are warm, and the days are pleasant.
  • Vehicular transportation is virtually nonexistent on the island. You need to prepare your leg muscles in advance for either biking or walking, the primary forms of traveling around the area.  

For all of Lord Howe Island, there are eight rental vehicles, two of which are golf carts. Your requirements are gone over with your lodging supervisor before your arrival.

  • It is important to remember that island weather is not consistent. The winds are noteworthy. But when packing to go on holiday anywhere, it’s wise to take a couple of different seasons of clothing so you’re prepared for any type of weather. You can never be sure what you might be in store for.
Tall mountains and a beach at Lord Howe Island

Fun tips for Lord How Island:

  • Meet some locals at a pub or a local coffee shop to discuss the history or nostalgia they must share about their time on Lord Howe Island. These are things you cannot read about with research, true takeaways.
  • There is only one school on the island where shoes are an option. Near the local school is a cinema where they offer historical films each Wednesday at 5:00 in the evening. This is a recommendation.
  • Any time you visit a new location, you should always visit the local museum to see what they are offering.
  • If you want to enjoy a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view of Lord Howe, the suggestion is to take a walk up to the top of “Transit Hill” which offers a spectacular sight.
  • You do not want to leave your excursion without having experienced a glass-bottom boat along the tropical reef for the sheer jaw-dropping beauty of the corals and the multitude of various fish species.

When on holiday at Lord Howe, it is nearly like entering a whole different world with each person experiencing it uniquely. There is genuinely so much that can be missed by merely focusing on the “must-see” tourist highlights. 

This is a contributed post, all images are owned by pexels.com or pixabay.com and may contain affiliate links

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Gina

Gina is the founder of Jet Set and Forget. She is a licensed tour guide and fitness professional who has traveled to over 15 countries since 2010. Gina left her position as a COO in 2023 to travel full time. She is on a mission to help people travel stress free!
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