Blinky Beach, Lord Howe IslandCredit: tom-archer.com
Scenic coastal views of Blinky Beach looking towards Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island.
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Feel like you’ve entered another realm on UNESCO World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, a natural paradise where rainforest-covered peaks meet one of the world’s most southerly coral reef systems. Feel calmed by the lack of crowds — only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time — as you strike out to explore the small, the crescent-shaped island, less than two hours’ flight from Sydney. Here are 12 memorable ways to spend your time here.
Explore captivating coral reefs
Be mesmerised by the underwater wonderland of Lord Howe Island, where the meeting of tropical and cooler waters helps to nurture a thriving reef system home to more than 90 coral species and more than 500 species of fish. Discover excellent snorkelling around the island, among them Ned’s Beach, where snorkels are conveniently available for rent via an honesty box system. Or strap on a tank and get a thrill spotting endemic marine species such as the double-header wrasse on a scuba dive, with more than 100 dive sites to choose from.
Take an invigorating hike
Feel on top of the world in every sense when you reach the summit of Mount Gower (875m), the island’s highest peak and one of Australia’s top day hikes, with a variety of lush ecosystems to admire en route to the top. Or harness the calming benefits of a gentler walk among huge banyan trees on the Valley of the Shadows trail (1.2km return), just one of many walks of varying difficulty lacing the island.
Snorkelling, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
snorkelling off Lord Howe Island.
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Snorkelling, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
snorkelling off Lord Howe Island.
Be awed by Ball’s Pyramid
Marvel at the spectacular 551m spearhead of grey basalt that seemingly explodes from the ocean, 23km southeast of Lord Howe Island. Sign up for a day cruise to Balls Pyramid and admire the abundance of birdlife attracted to the world’s largest sea stack before slipping into the sea to explore waters teeming with marine life. Or enjoy a deeper immersion on a drift dive with Pro Dive Lord Howe Island.
Indulge a love of birdwatching
Unleash your inner twitcher on Lord Howe Island, where almost 170 species of sea and land birds either live or visit throughout the year. Delight in spotting endemic species such as the curious ground-dwelling woodhen; the island’s population has flourished in recent years. And witness the unforgettable sight of thousands of providence petrels breeding on the summit of Mount Gower during the wintertime.
Sleep in island-style luxury
Wake up to the ultimate view of Mount Gower on a decadent stay in Capella Lodge’s Lidgbird Pavilion, an all-inclusive double-storey apartment featuring panoramic views of the ocean, mountains and subtropical rainforest, and a private outdoor plunge pool. Relish the privacy of the private, self-contained beach house just for two at Arajilla Retreat, and revel in the architectural finesse and art-filled spaces of Island House, which comprises a pair of two-bedroom houses that can be combined to accommodate eight guests. Or stay just steps from the sand at the island’s idyllic lagoon at the luxurious, family-owned Pinetrees lodge — Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral hotel.
Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Sun rising over Lord Howe Island.
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Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Sun rising over Lord Howe Island.
Savour homegrown island flavours
Lean into the novelty of sipping the only craft beer brewed on the island at the Lord Howe Island Brewery, nestled at the centre of the island, and sample island-inspired cocktails at The Crooked Post in ‘town’ while lapping up lagoon views. Enjoy a casual fresh-seafood meal at the Coral Cafe or the Anchorage Restaurant, or dine alongside locals at Lord Howe Island Golf Club’s Sunset Bar & Grill as the sun sinks behind the island’s idyllic lagoon.
Get the money shot
Soak up the magical vista from the top of Malabar Hill at the northern end of the island, where the 360-degree views are supercharged during the ‘golden hours’ either side of sunrise and sunset. You’re welcome. Or cherish the accomplishment of traversing the island’s diverse landscapes over five spectacular days on the Seven Peaks Walk. One of the Great Walks of Australia, this memorable guided adventure includes an ascent of Mount Gower on the final day.
Cook up an island-style barbecue
Unfurl a picnic blanket at one of 10 wood-fired barbecue spots around the island and luxuriate in the incredible coastal views as you cook yourself an island-style feed. Order a barbecue hamper stocked with island-fresh produce from your accommodation, pick up some supplies from Thompson’s Store, or bask in the satisfaction of grilling a fish you hooked on a fishing charter, with yellowfin tuna, wahoo and marlin among the fishy trophies you might bag.
Outdoor dining, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic barbeque on Lord Howe Island with scenic views.
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Outdoor dining, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic barbeque on Lord Howe Island with scenic views.
Kayak into the sunset
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the island’s calm, protected lagoon on a relaxing paddle. Rent a kayak in the late afternoon to enjoy the ultimate sunset viewpoint.
Discover the island’s history
Step back into the island’s fascinating history at the Lord Howe Island Museum, a treasure chest of natural history, with fascinating collections spanning historical artefacts to a herbarium of dried and pressed specimens. Treat yourself to a memorable souvenir or pick up thoughtful gifts at the museum shop.
Explore Lord Howe on two wheels
Enjoy a peaceful bike ride on Lord Howe’s refreshingly quiet roads. With a limited number of cars on the island, and a maximum speed limit of 25km/hr, Lord Howe is perfect for cycling. Rent or borrow a bike from your accommodation and explore the island at your leisure.
Play a memorable round of golf
Have a ball teeing off on one of Australia’s most picturesque golf courses. Hugging the southern end of the island’s iconic lagoon, Lord Howe Island Golf Club will keep you on your toes as the challenging nine-hole course meanders through a lush palm forest and out onto gently undulating open fairways.
Lord Howe Island Golf Course Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a round of gold at Lord Howe Island Golf Course.
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Lord Howe Island Golf Course Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a round of gold at Lord Howe Island Golf Course.
More Inspirational Stories
Bendooley Estate, BerrimaCredit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Indulge in incredible dining at refined restaurants and taste cool-climate wines at charming cellar doors in the idyllic Southern Highlands village of Berrima, a 90-minute drive from Sydney. Slow down and sleep in at your luxe stay, steep in the village’s colourful history and draw energy from the natural beauty of this magical region.
Wine and dine among the vines
Berrima’s elevation and cool climate is perfect for great pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Sample them for yourself, as well as cabernet and merlot blends, at the Southern Highlands’ oldest winery, Joadja Estate, which was first planted in 1983.
See how Tractorless Vineyard’s highly regarded sparkling wines are made on an absorbing two-hour walking tour of this pioneering biodynamic vineyard before sampling its sustainably produced wines at the inviting cellar door.
Stay close to the action when you sample PepperGreen Estate’s premium wines at its impressive cellar door in the centre of town, before taking a seat at PepperGreen’s adjoining Tasting Room restaurant for a long lunch with optional wine pairings. (The Tasting Room also offers a one-course wine-and-dine lunch on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday.)
Drive out to the grand, picturesque Bendooley Estate on the edge of town to lose yourself in its Book Barn, which houses thousands of old and new books in a renovated hayshed. Browse through the incredible collection and linger over lunch at the Book Barn Restaurant before tasting the estate’s superb wines at the cellar door or dining at the adjoining Leo’s by Night restaurant. Extend your visit by staying onsite in one of Bendooley Estate’s luxurious cottages boasting glorious vistas of the serene lake, valleys and gardens.
Eschalot, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Elegant dish made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients at Eschalot restaurant, Berrima.
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Eschalot, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Elegant dish made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients at Eschalot restaurant, Berrima.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a walk around Bendooley Estate, Berrima in the Southern Highlands.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a walk around Bendooley Estate, Berrima in the Southern Highlands.
Dive into the village’s history
Step back in time on the self-guided Berrima Historic Walk, starting at the Berrima District Museum, before continuing to one of Australia’s oldest licensed pubs, the Surveyor General Inn, built by convicts in 1834, and the Berrima Courthouse, a Regency-style sandstone-hewn building dating back to the 1830s. Visiting on a weekend? Explore the beautifully restored, National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion – it’s open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Soak up the impressive knowledge of your Berrima Walking Tours guide on a fascinating Berrima Heritage Tour, or get into the spirit of one of Australia’s most haunted buildings on one of Australian Paranormal Phenomenon Investigators (APPI)’s occasional Berrima Courthouse Interactive Ghost Tours.
Stretch your legs on the Berrima River Walk, another gorgeous stroll through riverside heritage. Be transported to a turbulent past as you take in the interpretive signs telling the stories of the German merchant seamen, officers, executives and prisoners of war who spent World War I at Berrima’s German Internment Camp.
PepperGreen Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior of PepperGreen Estate Cellar Door and Tasting Room in Berrima.
PepperGreen Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior of PepperGreen Estate Cellar Door and Tasting Room in Berrima.
Shop, eat and repeat
Once you’ve filled your head with history, browse Australian and international contemporary art at Whitewall Art Projects, pick up quirky homewares at Archie + Dot, and stock up on relishes and jams at Mrs Oldbucks Pantry before learning how to blend your own tea during one of the store’s The Table experiences.
Savour some of the finest dining in the region – and feast on fresh, seasonal produce sourced from the restaurant’s own gardens – at the award-winning Eschalot, housed in a heritage sandstone cottage in the heart of town.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, retreat to the Zen Oasis weddings venue on the fringe of town and restore harmony to your diet with vegetarian and vegan Asian cuisine at its garden restaurant.
Refuel for an afternoon of exploring the Southern Highlands with a hearty lunch at Berrima General Store and Cafe or with a quiche and an exquisite pastry at Gumnut Patisserie. Or settle in for high tea and unwrap a freshly baked cupcake in the pastel wonderland of The Cupcake Co.
Tractorless Vineyard, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Tractorless Vineyard combines old world knowledge with new world techniques to create exceptional cool climate wines in the Southern Highlands, NSW.
Tractorless Vineyard, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Tractorless Vineyard combines old world knowledge with new world techniques to create exceptional cool climate wines in the Southern Highlands, NSW.
Wingecarribee River, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Morning sun shining over the Wingecarribee River in Berrima.
Wingecarribee River, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Morning sun shining over the Wingecarribee River in Berrima.