About Norfolk Island

Dave & Kylie Bantoft have over twenty years of experience in tourism, and particularly love everything about Norfolk Island.  We’ve visited in excess of 100 times, so no-one knows about the island accommodation better than our team.

We know the best spots, the best accommodation, the best deals, and how to have the very best visit you can.  We’re very keen to show you the delights of this amazing island.

Here’s a little of the basics to get you started.

Geographical Location

Norfolk Island is 1610kms ENE of Sydney, 1456kms ESE of Brisbane, 1063kms NNW of Auckland and 772kms SE of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a volcanic outcrop 8km long and 5km wide.

Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1km and 6km respectively. Norfolk Island is 3,855ha.

Did you know that cows have the right of way on Norfolk Island?  So do sheep, chickens, ducks and pretty much anything wild you come across.

You’ll likely see one or more cows standing in the middle of the road, so please drive safely.

Mooooooove over!

Language

The language spoken on Norfolk Island is English, but you’ll hear the Islanders speaking Norfolk, a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790.

That’s very unique.

Here’s a taste of the local language:

“Watawieh Yourle?” – “How are you”
“Si Yourle Morla” – “See you tomorrow”
“Kushu” – “Good”
“Hili” – “Lazy”

Climate

The weather is usually gorgeous on Norfolk Island.

Subtropical. Average rainfall 1328mm per year. Lovely summer days from 24 degrees but not exceeding 28.4 degrees, nights 19-21 degrees. Idylic days mid-winter, with temperatures ranging from 12 at night to 19-21 degrees during the day.

Clothing

Comfortable and casual day and night. It’s wise to pack a sweater and light nylon jacket, strong shoes for walking and a torch for night outings. Remember a hat and sunscreen.

Customs

Imports of fruit, vegetables, flowers and seeds are prohibited. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are also prohibited. The duty-free allowance is one litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes.

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50 cycles, three pin plug. As electricity is made locally by diesel generators, a power surge protection device is advised for electronic equipment, particularly computers.

Liquor

Generally cheaper than mainland prices. The Government operated Liquor Bond Store supplies all liquor. A special concession for visitors entitles airline ticket holders to a once-only 20% discount off marked prices for a maximum of three litres of spirits.

Getting to Norfolk Island

Frequent jet aircraft services are available between Norfolk Island and Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.

Entry

A current Australian Passport with a minimum of 3 months validity from the return date of travel back into Australia is preferred.  If you do not have a passport, a current Australian Drivers Licence will be suitable for travel to Norfolk Island (from 1 July 2016.)

Money Matters

The unit of exchange is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have branches at Burnt Pine. The Commonwealth Bank has an ATM. Traveller’s cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted.

Population

Norfolk has approximately 1800 citizens with roughly equal numbers of Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders.

Shopping

Usual shopping hours are 9-5. Some shops are closed all day Sundays, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Supermarkets open 7 days, Philatelic Bureau open Monday to Friday, NI has its own postage stamps.

Telecommunications

International Direct Dialing telephones, telegrams and facsimile services available. Public IDD coin operated booths open 24 hours. Local calls free. Only Norfolk Island phone cards are accepted. Mobile telephones are not operable on Norfolk Island.

Time Difference

One and a half hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time. Norfolk Island will observe Daylight Saving from 2019.