Capella Lodge, Lord Howe IslandCREDIT: tom-archer.com
Woman relaxing by the pool at Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island.
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Recharge in luxury
on Lord Howe Island
Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: tom-archer.com
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Switch off from the everyday with a rejuvenating escape to World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. Here, you can snorkel coral reefs, hike volcanic peaks, swim with turtles, and unwind in luxury at one of five landmark stays – including Pinetrees Lodge, Capella Lodge, Arajilla Retreat, Admiralty Apartments and Island House, a Hemsworth family favourite!
Pinetrees Lodge
With its 19th-century heritage, Pinetrees is an integral part of Lord Howe Island’s identity, but this carbon-neutral lodge is not one for stuffy formalities. There’s no need to don resort wear, and the doors don’t even have locks. The pick of its relaxed ‘coastal-style’ rooms, suites and cottages is the spacious Chef’s Cottage. French doors and louvre windows summon in Pacific Ocean breezes, while blackbutt timber floors, subtropical garden-facing private decks and a 400-book library add refinement. Foodies will find happiness somewhere between flourless chocolate cake and confit duck with duck fat-roasted potatoes. A signature massage at the day spa is the perfect recovery after the five-day Seven Peaks Walk, which sets out from here. At sunset, head down to Pinetrees’s wooden boathouse on Lagoon Beach to unwind with wine and canapés.
Capella Lodge
In the island’s south, Capella Lodge claims Lord Howe’s most spectacular vistas. Let majestic mountains Lidgbird and Gower duel for your attention as you float in the mesmerising infinity pool. The intimate resort has nine timber-floored suites designed to be in visual harmony with their surroundings. The modern interiors, featuring designer furnishings such as Danish ‘Prime Time’ chairs and island-themed commissioned artworks, achieve a serene beach-house ambience. Executive chef Cooper Dickson’s cuisine makes a lasting impression, from gourmet treats in your in-suite bar to fine-dining creations sourced partly from Capella’s ever-evolving vegetable garden. And the day spa is truly decadent.
Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Pinetrees Lodge
Pinetrees Boatshed at Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island
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Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Pinetrees Lodge
Pinetrees Boatshed at Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island
Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Capella Lodge
Lidgbird Pavilion with scenic ocean views of Mount Gower. Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island.
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Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Capella Lodge
Lidgbird Pavilion with scenic ocean views of Mount Gower. Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island.
Arajilla Retreat
A subtle entrance off Old Settlement Beach sets the scene sublimely for small-footprint, laid-back Arajilla Retreat. The light-dappled boardwalk which links its 12 rooms with the spa and restaurant feels like a natural path through the kentia palm forest. All-inclusive Arajilla caters for most holiday demands, from island-fresh breakfasts to complimentary use of fishing gear and snorkelling equipment. Tropical-print rugs and cushions in natural materials such as linen help weave Arajilla’s boutique island vibe. Nooks of note include the Banyan Suites’ north-facing mezzanine Treetops Lounge. Book Blue Peter Beach House if you’re looking for a refined, self-contained space for two, just across from Lagoon Beach.
Island House
The sophisticated new kid on Lord Howe’s luxury block is also its most ‘Hemsworthy’. Chris Hemsworth and his extended family were the first guests at Island House, which is actually two two-bedroom, two-bathroom, architect-designed spaces, the South House and the North House. Both are elegantly curated with mid-century Danish furniture, high-end Japanese homewares and Aboriginal art. Soak in outdoor copper baths then relax by a cast-iron Cheminées Philippe fireplace, sampling a Japanese spirit or ‘new- and old-world’ wine from the well-curated bar. Your kitchen is stocked with high-end utensils and produce from nearby sister business, The Nursery, but private chefs can be arranged to do the culinary grind for you.
Admiralty Apartments
On Lord Howe’s serene northeast sit two spacious self-contained apartments by relative newcomer Admiralty Apartments. Hand-feed fish and snorkel over the reef at Ned's Beach Sanctuary Zone, which is literally almost on your doorstep. Admiralty typifies Lord Howe’s barefoot-luxury ethos. Enjoy breezy, generous interiors full of thoughtful touches such as Haiku timber ceiling fans, then grab your complimentary bottle of wine and Rose-Marie Hillier beach umbrella when you’re ready to spend some ‘you’ time on the beach.
Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Dine at the luxurious Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island.
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Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Dine at the luxurious Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island.
Island House, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Island House
The South House at Island House, Lord Howe Island.
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Island House, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Island House
The South House at Island House, Lord Howe Island.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe IslandCREDIT: tom-archer.com
Mt Lidgbird and Mt Gower – one of the many dramatic views on Lord Howe Island.
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Lord Howe Island
Walking Trails
Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: tom-archer.com
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Lord Howe Island, which is less than a two-hour flight from Sydney, is an untouched, World Heritage-listed natural paradise. It’s perfect for exploring on foot, with spectacular walks ranging from short strolls to challenging five-day hikes.
Tackle the Seven Peaks Walk
The Seven Peaks Walk is one of the Great Walks of Australia, a collection of premium guided walking tours in some of the nation’s most spectacular locations. You’ll spend five days exploring the pristine Lord Howe Island, and six nights relaxing at Pinetrees lodge, on the Lord Howe Island lagoon, with beachfront drinks followed by a four-course dinner each night. From day one at North Bay (where you’ll enjoy a glass-bottom boat cruise) to day five, with an optional climb of Mount Gower, the island’s tallest peak, you’ll take in untouched beaches, coral platforms, ancient forests and breathtaking views along the way. The walk is rated moderate to hard, with a strong level of fitness recommended.
Enter the Valley of the Shadows
On the east coast of the island, take a trek through the Valley of the Shadows. On one of the most memorable walks on Lord Howe (an easy, fairly level 1.2km) you’ll hike in the shadow of enormous banyan trees and kentia palms, and see why David Attenborough once described the island as “so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable”.
Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Climbing Mt Gower on Lord Howe Island.
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Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Climbing Mt Gower on Lord Howe Island.
Climb Malabar Hill
Lord Howe Island is renowned for birdwatching, with 130 recorded permanent and migratory species, including 14 seabird species. If you want to take in some fascinating bird watching while you hike, climb up Malabar Hill, in the north of the island. It’s a two-hour return walk through one of the world’s largest nesting sites for the red-tailed tropicbird, known for its spectacular airborne courting displays between September and May. You’ll also get some remarkable panoramic views of the island, and can finish off with a swim on Neds Beach.
Hike Transit Hill
Don’t blink and miss the start of the walk to Transit Hill, in the central part of Lord Howe Island. Starting at either the island’s Administration Office or Blinky Beach, you’ll find it’s a fairly easy hike to the peak, where you can take in incredible 360-degree views of the island and spot plenty of birdlife before you head back down to cool off in the surf.
Explore Stevens Reserve
Want to get to know Lord Howe’s flora and fauna without breaking into a sweat? Stevens Reserve is a flat, easy, shady, 1.2km walk through a reserve in the heart of the island. Here you’ll find ancient banyan trees (watch for roots across the narrow path, and plenty of birds, with lots of interpretive signs that provide a crash course in the island’s ecosystem.
Malabar Hill, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk up Malabar Hill, Lord Howe Island.
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Malabar Hill, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk up Malabar Hill, Lord Howe Island.
Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: tom-archer.com
Scenic coastal views of Blinky Beach looking towards Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island.
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Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island CREDIT: tom-archer.com
Scenic coastal views of Blinky Beach looking towards Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island.