Norfolk Island is a subtropical island, 1,600 kilometre north-east of Sydney, 1,456 kilometres south-east of Brisbane, 1,100 kilometres north-west of Auckland and 772 kilometres south-east of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a volcanic outcrop 8 kilometres x 5 kilometres, and 3,455 hectares. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1 kilometre and 6 kilometres respectively.
Qantas operate direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane. Travelling from Australia is considered domestic travel, however flights operate from the International terminals. Keep this in mind if you are making a flight connection from another Australian city. Allow enough time between terminals.
Air Chathams operates direct flights from Auckland International. This service will recommence 22 September 2022.
Please refer to our Covid-19 Travel Information page.
A valid passport is the preferred means of documentation; however, photographic identification such as a driver licence is acceptable for visitors from Australia. Visitors travelling from New Zealand require a passport as identification. Those without an Australian or New Zealand passport may require an Australian Visitor Visa.
The climate is subtropical with temperatures in summer ranging from 19° to 28° and during winter 12° to 19°.
With a pleasant subtropical climate, lots to see and do and a great Calendar of Events, Norfolk Island is a year-round destination. The warmer months are from October through to April.
The two main beaches are Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay, both protected by a reef and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The water temp does not vary too much during the year, remaining around 19° to 22°.
Clothing is comfortable and casual year round. We recommend warmer clothes for winter and the evenings.
There are over 60 accommodation properties to choose from, including hotels, cottages, holiday houses and self-contained apartments.
With over 120 kilometres of road on the island, a hire car is highly recommended. Roaming livestock has the right of way, and all drivers acknowledge passing vehicles with ‘the Norfolk wave’. Visitors are encouraged to wave also!
It is highly recommended that all passengers travelling to Norfolk Island from both Australia and New Zealand obtain adequate travel insurance. Australian Medicare applies to Norfolk Island. Limited medical facilities are available on the island, with any serious illnesses or injuries requiring medivac evacuation.
Visitors can bring commercially cooked and packaged, unopened grocery items, but all food items must comply to the strict Biosecurity laws and must be declared on arrival. Vegetables, fruit, plants and seeds are prohibited imports to keep the island free of introduced disease. Pork and poultry from New Zealand is strictly prohibited. Please be assured our grocers, butchers, farmers, bakers, Chefs and Cooks are amazing, but occasionally grocery stocks maybe in short supply. For further information visit the Australian Biosecurity website or send them an email.
Yes you can purchase wine and beer at the Duty Free International airport shops, and carry onto the plane with you. Norfolk Island has a Liquor Bond store, however occasionally stocks may run low but this is usually only until the next cargo ship arrives. You can purchase from the Two Chimney Winery, Norfolk Brewery at the Castaway hotel and Norfolk Island Liqueurs.
Norfolk Island operates with a 3G/4G mobile network and has public WiFi access areas available around the island. There is currently no global roaming agreements in place with Australian providers, therefore visitors will not be able to roam using their provider. Visitors can purchase a $30 Tourist Mobile plan from Customer Care at Norfolk Telecom and P & R Groceries. Internet Hotspot vouchers are available for purchase for minimum 1 hour for $5, vouchers can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre, Customer Care at Norfolk Telecom, P & R Groceries and the Trading Post newsagency. Email for further details. The Bowling club, RSL club and Leagues club offer free WIFI when dining in.
Customs and etiquette can be tricky to understand when travelling to a new place. It can be easy to misread a cue by being unaware of traditions and sensitivities. The Norfolk Navigator is an online collection of resources, information and guides to support your understanding about the island and our people.
The main language is English, but you will often hear the islanders speaking the "Norf'k laengwij" a mix of Tahitian and Old English inherited from the Bounty Mutiny descendants. "Watawieh" hello, "Ai guud thaenks" I'm well thank you, "Wats yus niem" What is your name, "Thaenks f aklan" Thanks for us. Pick up a copy of Useful Phrases from the Visitor Information Centre.
If you live in Australia and would like a copy of the destination brochure please email and we can post to you. Or you can view the brochure online.
In the 2016 census, there were 1,748 people in Norfolk Island.
Mount Bates at 319 metres then Mount Pitt at 318 metres. You can drive to the top of Mount Pitt for a 360° view of the whole island and walk the summit track to Mount Bates.
Currency used is the Australian dollar. There is a Commonwealth Bank which has the only ATM. Major credit cards are accepted and cash can be withdrawn from Australia Post.
The farmers markets are held in the Bicentennial Complex, near the Visitor Information Centre from 7.00am to 9.30am every Saturday. The art and craft markets are held in the Bicentennial Complex, near the Visitor Information Centre from 8.30am – 11.00am every Sunday.
In the Bicentennial Complex, 39A Taylors Road, in the main shopping precinct of Burnt Pine. The VIC is open 7 days a week from 8.30am and the friendly staff are happy to assist with all your holiday enquiries and tour bookings. Drop in to gather information or shop for locally crafted souvenirs.
Please contact the friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre for details on Disabled accommodation facilities and suitable tours and activities.
There really is ‘more to Norfolk Island’. You can choose from soft adventure activities such as fishing and kayaking to nature options like bushwalking and bird watching. Learn the many layers of our history and culture at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kingston with its Georgian buildings, convict sites and ruins, cemetery and museums. Or just take some time out to relax and enjoy the stunning landscape of the island. Taste the delicious home-grown produce, freshly caught fish, local beef, cheese, honey, wine and much more! There’s even a list of 101 things to do!
Your Norfolk experience starts here
