Many people may not know that there is a paradise on earth hidden just over an hour away from Sydney, Australia, and that is Lord Howe Island, also known as “the Last Paradise”. The island only allows a maximum of 400 tourists at any time!
Lord Howe Island is located in the state of New South Wales in Australia, with direct flights available from Sydney and Brisbane, taking about 2 hours. This is one of the most beautiful, heavenly, and secluded islands in Australia.
Although the island is small, only about 15 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide, there is no need for transportation, as you can rent a bicycle to go anywhere on the road.
Things to do on Lord Howe Island
Hiking
Mt Gower is the most famous hiking trail here, rumoured to be one of the most challenging trails in New South Wales, requiring a guide. The full trail is about 15 kilometres long and ascends about 1000 meters. Although it may not sound difficult, a large portion of the climb is on a cliff with a path that is only about two feet wide, and your safety depends entirely on holding onto a rope.
If you enjoy adventure, we highly recommend Mt Gower. However, if you just want to take pictures, we would recommend Kim’s Lookout on the other side of the island, which is almost as beautiful and only about one-fifth as challenging.
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Due to the natural coral reefs surrounding the island, the clear lagoon water allows for clear visibility of various fish swimming around. In the summer, the water temperature ranges from 22-26℃ and the visibility can reach up to 25-30 meters underwater.
If you want surfing or other water activities, the best place would be Blinky Beach!
You can also sign up for the Ultimate Snorkelling Tour at Environmental Tour travel agency. It costs around $90. The captain will take a small group of people to four spots near Mt. Gower to see coral and fish, which is a different level from what you can see on the shore at Lagoon and Neds Beach. You can also follow another captain on a turtle tour to see giant sea turtles and snorkel.
For those who are brave enough, you can try night diving. You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards locally, with options ranging from easy to challenging.
Relaxing:
Every beach is beautiful, but only Neds Beach allows you to feed the fish. During the days we went, the fish food was sold out, but if you go to the beach, the fish will actually come to you.
There are colourful tropical fish and a baby shark.
Accommodations on Lord Howe Island
If you don’t mind spending money, you can choose Capella Lodge, an all-inclusive resort with prices similar to the Maldives. Capella Lodge has nine luxurious suites and occupies a prime location on the secluded and peaceful island, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, serene emerald green lagoon, towering steep volcanoes, lush subtropical forests, and magnificent and colorful coral reefs. Living on the island, you will never have to worry about having nothing to do!
For a more economical option, you can check out Lorhiti.
Additional Tips
The weather on the island is unpredictable. Due to the small size of the airport and light aircraft, there may be no flights for several days in case of strong winds or fog. So make sure to reserve enough vacation time to deal with unexpected situations outside of summer.
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