Kingston Pier | History & Culture

Built in 1839, Kingston Pier has long been the lifeblood of Norfolk Island. A vital entry point for settlers and supplies, the pier has played a pivotal role in our history.

Take a stroll along the pier today and you’ll see fishing boats as well as occasional supply ships and tenders. If you love seafood, check out the catches of the day, with fishers filleting and preparing their haul on the pier. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

Find out more about Norfolk Island’s colourful past in the surrounding Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the headstones at the nearby Norfolk Island Cemetery recount the tragic deaths of local whalers and fishermen who lost their lives at sea.

Ground view from the land of Kingston Pier in the background and a brick building and abandoned lighter boat in the foreground.

Elevated view of breaking ocean waves as they approach the shore. Kingston historic site and pine covered hills are visible. Kingston Pier juts out into the ocean.

Several utes and boats parked on Kingston Pier. Oceans waves roll in.

Ground view of several utes on Kingston pier at sunset.

Fisherman in high-vis shirt stands on Kingston Pier and has caught something on his line. Pine covered coastline in the background.

View from the land of park benches facing Kingston Pier and ocean.

View of Kingston Pier with a few fisherman stood along its length.

Several people watch and assist as a crane lifts a small boat onto a trailer pulled by a ute on Kingston pier.

Visitor Information

Operating Hours: 24/7

Cost: Free

Getting Here: The pier is located in Kingston, a 5-10 minute drive from Burnt Pine.

Top tips for Kingston Pier

When seas are rough, this is a good spot for wave-watching, with big swells crashing into the pier end. An excellent (and safe!) vantage point is up at Flagstaff Hill, which overlooks the pier.
Photo op: Sunset is a picturesque time to stroll along the pier, with Insta-worthy skies and endless ocean views.

More attractions at Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site

All Saints Church

All Saints Church also serves as a museum. Discover incredible artefacts from Norfolk’s history and join a Sunday service to meet locals.

Bloody Bridge

Don’t let the gory legend of Bloody Bridge deter you; visit this historic landmark to admire the stonework and hard labour of the convicts who built it.

Bounty Folk Musuem

Discover Bounty memorabilia, early photographs of Pitcairn settlers, old weapons and some frankly quite terrifying antique medical instruments.

The Commissariat

Visit the Commissariat to learn about Norfolk’s convict past. This historic building once held food supplies for the convicts and jailers on Norfolk Island.

Fletchers Mutiny Cyclorama

Norfolk Island’s history unfolds at Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama, a 360° painting that depicts the mutiny on the Bounty.

Norfolk Island Golf Club

Play golf on Norfolk Island for a truly memorable experience. Tee off in a World Heritage Site overlooking the ocean.

Government House

Government House is a stately mansion and home to the Administrator of Norfolk Island. Learn more on a museum tour of our historic centre, Kingston.

Historical Photo Display - Lions Club House

Formerly the Surgeons Quarters, today this resilient little building houses a fascinating collection of photographs which bring the history of our island to life.

Lone Pine

Bring your camera along to capture this solitary tree that survived the mass felling of Norfolk pines and stood sentry over the island’s turbulent history.

New Military Barracks

The New Military Barracks may be Norfolk’s administrative centre today, but it also has an interesting history.

No. 10 Quality Row

Turn back to Norfolk Island’s convict chapter at No. 10 Quality Row, now a museum. Learn about the home’s inhabitants as you wander through the restored interior.

Norfolk Island Cemetery

Our fascinating history takes on a new dimension at the Norfolk Island Cemetery. Read the grave stones marking two centuries of life on this South Pacific island.

Old Military Barracks

The Old Military Barracks have served many purposes over the years. Visit the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site to find out what important roles it has played.

Pier Store

Learn about the mutiny on the Bounty and our Pitcairn history at Pier Store, located within the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Research Centre No. 9 Quality Row

Set in a restored Georgian house, the Research Centre serves as a looking glass into the Norfolk Island of yesteryear.

Royal Engineer's Office

The Royal Engineer's Office is a great place to start your investigation into Norfolk’s storied past

Salt House

Sitting on a headland overlooking Emily Bay, the Salt House is one of several evocative ruins and heritage buildings.

Sirius Museum - Protestant Chapel

Learn about the seafaring saga of the Sirius, which wrecked just off the coast of Norfolk Island at the Sirium Museum within the Protestant Chapel.

The Arches

The Arches, a series of stone archways, are one of Norfolk Island’s biggest mysteries. Ponder their original purpose when you visit them in Kingston.

The Crankmill

Wander the stone ruins of Crankmill, another one of Norfolk’s sites with a dark past. Book your holiday now to discover our island’s intriguing history!

The Old Watermill

Set in a grassy valley next to an old dam, the crumbling ruins of the Old Watermill are a reminder of a dark chapter in Norfolk Island’s history