Norfolk Island
Host: Mike Whitney
Mike’s off to Norfolk Island for a bit South Pacific fun in the sun and a little history thrown in on the side.
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Sydney Weekender Deal In a special Sydney Weekender deal, you can fly from $399 per person return from Sydney excluding taxes. But you’ve got to book before Thursday on www.norfolkair.com |
Located 1610km north-east of Sydney and an external territory of Australia, Norfolk is home to the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and has its own language, a colourful convict history, dramatic coastal scenery, pristine beaches, coral lagoons, 35 great restaurants and cafes, one of the world’s most scenic golf courses and exciting adventure activities such as kayaking, mountain biking and scuba diving.
Measuring just 8km by 5km, this tiny island is a nature lover’s paradise.
About a third of the island is national park or reserve land with beautiful walks and native bird and plant life. Cattle roam freely on the green island and are given right of way.
Norfolk Island is home to around 1800 residents and you should check out the phonebook because they all have the same surnames, they go by nicknames.
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More Information
Norfolk Island Telephone: 1800 214 603 Weekend packages start from $640 per couple including airfares and accommodation. |
Prices correct as at 9/02/08
Getting There
Norfolk Island is just over 2 hours flying time from Sydney and Newcastle and Norfolk Air will get you there. Why not escape for a short weekend break or stay longer and enjoy the beauty and relaxed pace of this unique South Pacific island.
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More Information
Norfolk Air Telephone: 1300 663 913 Flights from Sydney, Brisbane & now Newcastle |
Prices correct as at 09/02/08
Bounty Divers
Bounty Divers has been on Norfolk Island for 30 years. They are a family operation and took over Bounty Divers at the beginning of June 2006.
The instructors/dive leaders are James and Joe and keeping them in line is Chantelle.
For the qualified diver Norfolk offers a wide choice of dive sites. There are over 40 sites to choose from depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Each site has its own characteristics. To quote Peter Stone from Sports Diving in Australia and the South Pacific, "The diving off Norfolk is nothing short of fascinating. If you are into caves and chasms and chimneys and grottoes then this place is definitely for you. Huge groupers, schools of yellowtail kingfish and trevally and tiny 'big eyes'; incredible rock and reef formations, fields of hard corals and colourful algae and superb visibility."
The depth of dives varies between 15 and 30 metres although most sites are no deeper than 21 metres. Weather permitting they schedule daily boat dives. Norfolk has two launching sites on opposite sides of the island, so you can get out most days. Cascade on the northern side and Kingston on the southern side. Launching a boat on Norfolk is an experience in itself, in which you'll be asked to assist. Why not pay us a visit and discover the delights that Norfolk has to offer as thousands of divers have done before you. Nothing is far away and an average dive trip takes no more than two and a half hours. You always come back to shore between dives rather than 'outgas' in the boat between dives.
Phillip & Nepean Islands
Norfolk Island and it's off shore islands Nepean and Philip Islands are of volcanic origins rather then a coral reef. Because of this the underwater terrain is dominated by swim throughs, caves, arches and walls. These are covered in a wide variety of marine life in which hard corals predominate. The water temperature varies between 18 degrees in the winter to 26 degrees in the summer months. Norfolk's marine environment is one of the last remaining pristine and unspoiled in the world. Situated 1450 km off the Australian east coast there is no pollution, no rivers running into the ocean and no commercial exploitation of marine resources.
Only the locals go fishing here using hand lines. With a total population of less than 2000 people this has no impact on the local fish stock. A 20 mile 'box' around Norfolk and it's offshore islands has been reserved exclusively for use by the islanders, deep sea fishing trawlers and long liners are specifically banned from operating within this box.
Visibility in the water normally exceeds 20 metres and on many a day exceeds 30 metres. Because of Norfolk's isolated position in the Pacific, the mixture of marine life is unique. A blend of tropical and more temperate marine animals live side by side. At present there are over 250 species of fish, 275 species of algae and 35 species of hard corals know from Norfolk's waters. These numbers are likely to grow as further studies are undertaken. No formal studies of other marine phyla have been conducted to date and it is highly likely that other new species are awaiting discovery.
Launching boats on Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island has no natural or man made permanent harbours. When they go boating they need to launch the boat every time. Sounds simple, but there are no launching ramps either. Two launching sites are available located at Cascade and Kingston. The procedures are the same at both jetties. The boat is backed under a permanent derrick. The trailer unhooked from the truck. The boat hooked up to a block on the derrick. The truck is then hooked up to the cable. Drive forward until the boat is suspended in the air. Push the boat out over the water. Back up the truck until the boat can be unhooked, load up the passengers and away you go. On return after the trip reverse the procedure to get the boat back on the trailer.
As you are launching into the open ocean, you need to keep an eye out for any swell which can rise unexpectedly. It's all part of Norfolk's unique way of doing things, simple but effective if you know how to go about it. And yes, when you come diving you too will be recruited to help with launching and retrieval.
They also do an Introductory Dive Course, PADI dive course and PADI Advanced Open Water Course.
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More Information
Bounty Divers Taylor's Road, Norfolk Island Telephone: 0011 6723 24375 Prices start from $135 per person including gear for a single boat dive. |
Prices correct as at 09/02/08
Forrester Court
Commanding spectacular views over Cascade Bay and beyond to Bird and Elephant Rock. Favoured by discerning guests seeking a more civilised, stylish and sophisticated escape.
There are 3 cottages on site – 2 one-bedrooms & 1 two-bedroom cottages.
The Cliff Top Cottage is an architecturally designed and beautifully appointed two bedroom cottage. With an uninterrupted view to the ocean through large windows that flow onto an enormous verandah shaded by sun shelters. Deck chairs to relax and soak up the stunning views, our own B.B.Q with outdoor setting for that alfresco dinner.
At Forrester Court the cottages are classified as self catering and have a five star rating. The kitchens are fully equipped with fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher as well as a BBQ on the deck of your verandah.
Bedrooms have Hollywood king size beds each with an ensuite bathroom; the laundry has a washing machine, dryer, beach towels etc.
The cottage is equipped with high definition widescreen digital TV with DVD/CD, VCR as well as Platinum Foxtel satellite service. Picnic baskets and blankets, we’ve thought of everything.
In this private world, you won’t believe you’re only five minutes drive from the centre of town.
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More Information
Forrester Court Off Mill Road, Norfolk Island Telephone: 0011 6723 22838 Prices start from $330 per couple per night. |
Prices correct as at 09/02/08