Lord Howe Island
Host: Mike Whitney
Lord Howe Island is one of just four island groups in the world possessing World Heritage status. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Lord Howe Island’s place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list. Billed as the most beautiful island in the Pacific, Lord Howe was awarded the World Heritage honour based on its exceptional natural beauty and its collection of rare and endangered plants, birds, and marine life.
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Whitfield’s Island Tours
Let Greg Whitfield’s lifetime of experience of Lord Howe Island enhance your holiday. The half-day tour which provides a fascinating insight into LHI’s unique flora, fauna and Island way of life. Learn about Lord Howe Island from early settlement days until now, with their World Heritage Listing and Marine Park.
The Island tour includes:
- A visit to their unique Island school,
- A visit to their Palm Nursery to learn about the propagation and marketing of the Kentia Palm,
- A visit to the innovative waste and re-cycling centre,
- A demonstration of the traditional tree-climbing technique used by Island seeders.
- Morning tea in the Whitfield family home.
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During the tour you will be warmly welcomed at Redlands, situated in one of the most exquisite settings on the Island. Enjoy a delicious morning tea prepared by Sharon Whitfield. Meet their woodhen family! Greg will explain the Island governance and land tenure system, which ensures Lord Howe will remain unspoilt and pristine.
The bus is spacious and air-conditioned with large viewing windows.
[Source: www.lordhoweisland.info]
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More Information Whitfield’s Island Tours Lord Howe Island Telephone: 6563 2115 Tours go for 3 hours and cost $30 for adults and $15 for the kids (14 years and under). |
Prices correct as at 04/10/08
Kentia Palm Nursery
The first tiny settlement on Lord Howe Island supported itself by supplying the ships of the whaling industry which flourished in the Pacific Ocean throughout the 19th century.
As whaling declined, however, a new source of income was desperately needed. At first, the islanders attempted to sell their produce, but it was the humble native palm (Howea forsteriana) they used to thatch their houses which eventually saved them.
Still called the thatch palm by many islanders, it was to become the most popular decorative palm in the world.
The Kentia palm is indisputably beautiful and elegant, and complements the interior of many a fine building. It is also remarkably hardy and resilient and is particularly suited to indoor conditions.
The mild, balmy and unique climate, of Lord Howe Island has evolved a palm which can tolerate low light, a dry atmosphere and which requires less maintenance than other indoor plants.
At first, and until the early 1980’s, it was only the seeds of the Kentia Palm which were exported. Now, however, only small trees and shot seedlings of the highest quality, which have been carefully nurtured in the nursery on Lord Howe Island can be sold.
Like everything else on Lord Howe Island, the way the Kentia Palm business is run is unique. It is managed by dedicated and experienced staff employed by the Lord Howe Island Board.
All the seeds which are planted and grown in the Lord Howe Island Board palm nursery are gathered from the natural forest, or from plantations established as part of a program to return cleared areas to their natural state.
This means that every Kentia Palm exported from Lord Howe Island is a first generation descendant of the mother stock which have been growing for centuries in their natural environment. The horticultural equivalent, if you like, of real pearls versus cultured pearls.
Only islanders experienced in the collection of seeds are permitted to harvest them from mature Kentia Palms. And, as this is a skill passed down from one generation to the next, most collectors are descendants of the original settlers who have performed this task for over a century.
Once the palms have been germinated and have passed the Board's final set of stringent quality control standards they are picked, washed (bare-rooted), sanitised and certified. Then they are packed in sealed, insulated containers ready for export.
[Source: www.lordhoweisland.info]
Earl’s Anchorage
Earl’s Anchorage is one of the newest accommodation options on the island and is a great place for families to stay. It was completed at the end of 2004.
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Earl’s Anchorage is named in honour of Jack Earl, one of Australia's greatest yachtsmen and acclaimed marine artists. Jack was a founding member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, and in 1945 he was a co-founder of the now internationally famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
The nautical theme is carried throughout the 6 self-contained bungalows and each one is named after a famous Aussie yacht. All are linked with a boardwalk and are located in a lush tropical garden, like an oasis, surrounded by the famous Lord Howe Island Kentia palms.
This is the only accommodation on the Island with reverse cycle air conditioning.
Earl’s Anchorage is based on sustainable design ideas employing lightweight construction and energy efficiency. It uses solar hot water and stores excess electricity in a battery bank, then calling upon it via an inverter when there is the demand. There is also treatment and recycling of grey water on site.
Earl’s Anchorage honours throughout ecologically sound design in keeping with the world heritage listing of Lord Howe Island.
[Source: www.earlsanchorage.com.au]
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More Information Earl’s Anchorage Lord Howe Island Telephone: 6563 2029 Prices start from $490 per couple per night for a one bedroom bungalow. |
Prices correct as at 04/10/08
Lore Howe Island is about two hours away when you fly with QantasLink. One way fares from Sydney start at $327 (including taxes) per person. To book, hop aboard www.qantas.com or call 13 13 13.
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