Norfolk Island – History, Culture, a Myriad of Sights, Activities & Culinary Delights
"Wataweih!" This is 'Hello' in the local language that is Norfolk Island – a tiny 8km x 5km island located between Australia and New Zealand in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, a place where history, culture, friendship and community abound.
Less than 3 hours flying from Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland, the island boasts a pristine environment with beautiful beaches, a rugged coastline, World Heritage convict site and National Parks and Reserves dotted with the iconic Norfolk Island pines.
Offering endless layers of history and culture, a myriad of sights and activities, culinary delights with food bursting with flavour, friendly local people and a sub-tropical climate, Norfolk Island is the perfect holiday choice for visitors of all ages.
There is so much to see and do on this friendly island and nearly every month the island holds various events that will entice you to return time and time again.
"Yorlyi come look orn" – 'Come and have a look!'
Here is just a few of the activities. More can be found by clicking here
Date: 6 – 13 August 2016; Time: Daily; At: Kingston; What: History
This is a special week that will appeal to those who hanker to delve deep, inquire and discover the stories of a place. With an incredibly rich and complex history the tantalising stories of the people who either happily or with a sense of dread came to call past, or call Norfolk Island home, are rarely discovered. Hosts for this week Don and Sue Brian will be sharing their personal research to uniquely bring these stories to life through story, song and poetry.
Date: 21 – 26 August 2016; Time: Daily Tournament; At: Kingston Golf Course; What: Golf
Amateur and professional golfers not only play for an attractive prize pool every, they experience golf Norfolk Island style. The tournament is challenging yet highly friendly and social, local players join visiting pros and amateurs to compete in the four-day comp.
Date: 4 – 8 October 2016; Time: Evening plays + workshops during the day; At: The Theatre in Ferny Lane; What:Acting
Presented by the Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society, Inc. (NATS) this competition is open to all amateur theatrical companies, or groups of amateur players, who are required to perform a one-act play or an excerpt from a full-length play
Date: 4 – 11 November 2016; At: Various locations;
Marvel at the beauty and heritage of Norfolk Island’s Convict Settlement.
- Historic Cemetery visit to 1st settlement headstones
- Sunset Twilight Dinner
- Twilight tour of world heritage and the convict days of ole.
- Norfolk Island First Settlement history and genealogy research resources
- Norfolk Lunch featuring traditional Island salads
- “Paddock to Plate” dinner featuring special heritage speakers on 1st Settlement history and the marriages of November 1791.
- Norfolk island Heritage and Family History research workshop – discover where your ancestors lived on Norfolk Island
Date: 28 Nov – 2 Dec 2016; Time: Day & evenings; At: Various locations; What: Food Festival
Showcasing the wide variety of produce & promoting the Island as a taste sensation with a rich history in food and tradition. You will experience & learn about traditional dishes as well as the real paddock to plate experience offered by our amazing local chefs.
Date: 5 – 8 December 2016; Time: Day & evening concerts; At: Various locations; What: Jazz Festival
Combine a holiday with the wonderful sounds of traditional & modern jazz! An exciting lineup of superb Jazz artists attend each years Norfolk Island Jazz festival. This year includes: Di Bird Quartet, The Andrew London Trio, Dr Dons Double Dose, Pearl Noire,The Jazz Factory, and Mike Garner's "Bay City Ramblers"
Getting There:
Air New Zealand operates 5 flights to Norfolk Island every week: ex Sydney every Friday and Monday, ex Brisbane every Saturday and Tuesday and every Sunday from Auckland.