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LORD HOWE ISLAND

This island is an extinct volcano 11 kilometres long and less than 3 kilometres across at its widest point. At the southern end it possesses two towering, often cloud-capped mountains, Mt. Gower and Mt. Lidgbird which rise 875 metres out of the ocean and stand like guardians protecting the delicate beauty of the sub-tropical island below.

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Part of New South Wales (Australia), Lord Howe lies some 700 kilometres north-east of Sydney, two hours flying time and is set in a time warp for it limits tourist numbers and precludes resort-style developments. It has been proclaimed a World Heritage area.

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THE PEOPLE

As it is an unspoilt area, only 350 residents live here permanently. Tourists are restricted to 400 at any one time. This is also the maximum number of tourist beds on the island.

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HISTORY

Lord Howe Island was discovered in 1788 by H.M.S Supply, commanded by Lieutenant Lidgbird Ball. First settlement was in 1833 with the island supplying passing ships with food and water. Palm seeding started about 1878 and eventually became the island's major industry.

boat   palms.

NATURE

Nature lovers will enjoy the many walks and mountain hikes, and for the more experienced walkers, guided hikes are made to the summit of Mount Gower. You can hand feed the fish at Ned's Beach, take a lagoon cruise in a glass-bottom boat, enjoy a two-hour round-island trip or charter a boat to go fishing.

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WHERE TO STAY

There are 17 family-run accommodation properties ranging from full board to self-contained apartments complete with kitchens and linen. Camping is not permitted.

GETTING AROUND

There are 130 vehicles on the island and 90 motorbikes. These are outnumbered by bicycles which are the main mode of transport. As there are not many cars for hire, it is best to book one in advance if you want to drive instead of pedal. The speed limit is 25 kilometres.

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

The full board lodges have licensed dining room/bar facilities. There are also a number of restaurants open for a la carte and theme night dinners and a cafe opens all day for light snacks and lunches.

ACTIVITIES

Popular sports are swimming, snorkelling amongst shoals of unicorn fish, long flute mouths, silver trevally and blue angels, and scuba diving particularly off the Tenth of June Island, a small rocky outcrop in the Admiralty Islets group north west of Lord Howe where a deep plateau drops to 36 metres to reveal extensive gorgonia, soft corals and beautiful black coral trees growing on the vertical walls. You can enjoy bushwalks, picnic trips to North Bay and scenic and fishing cruises outside the reef.

SHOPPING GUIDE

There are two general stores which carry groceries and essentials and a fresh produce store for self-catering holidaymakers, and some sell souvenirs and clothes.

HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

January 26:    Australia Day

February 17:   Discovery Day

                       April 25:   Anzac Day                       

                            June 12:  Queen's Birthday                  

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For More Information:
 
Visitor Information Centre
LORD HOWE ISLAND NSW 2898
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 2 6563 2114
Facsimile: +61 2 8563 2127
E-mail: ihib@bigpond.com
LORD HOWE ISLAND TOURISM ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 141
LORD HOWE ISLAND NSW 2898
AUSTRALIA

Telephone/Facsimile: +61 2 6563 7143

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FACTS AT A GLANCE

CLIMATE:              Sub-tropical climate. Temperatures 18 degrees C to 28 degrees C.

CLOTHING:           Casuals. A jacket for cooler evenings, and a raincoat are advisable. Comfortable shoes essential, and sandshoes for reef walking.

ELECTRICITY:     Diesel generated 240 volts. Bring a torch as there are no outdoor lights to help you find your
                                  way home.      

TIME ZONE:         Summer - same as Sydney (Eastern Summer Time) Winter, 30 minutes ahead of AEST, GMT plus eleven hours.

CURRENCY:         Australian Dollars. AUD Travellers Cheques accepted by all business. NZ, US and UK Travellers Cheques can be cashed at the Bank Agencies or Post Office.

TIPPING:              Not customary.

VISAS AND HEALTH:  No entry requirements. Australian citizens do not need passports.

GETTING THERE:  Eastern Australian Airlines (Qantas) have regular direct flights. Sunstate Airlines fly from Brisbane.

DIVE

The southernmost coral reef in the world is found on the unique island of Lord Howe which has its own mild climate and is swept by tropical current bringing warm water and an enormous array of marine life.

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Pro Dive run the only scuba operation on Lord Howe, visiting about 30 different sites around the island and on the nearby Admiralty Island. Tropical species mixed with southern pelagics to give an uncommon experience to the visitors. Shallow dives in the main lagoon allow long bottom times and the opportunity to feed or photograph some of the 600 fish species found around the island.

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Experienced divers are also catered for with adventure guides. There are also lots of safe and spectacular dives with gold tip soft corals, flamboyant Spanish dancer nudibranchs, tiny reef dwellers and huge black cod approaching 200 kilograms in weight, all against a backdrop of endless curtains of fish such as trevally and kingfish.

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The lagoon and Ned's Beach also allow non-divers, or those wanting to recover from the more energetic dives, to snorkel with masses of fish that literally mob the snorkeller looking for a handout.
 
 
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(E-mail: jane@janeresture.com -- Rev. 11th June 2003)

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