Rushing from one venue to the another spoils a holiday. There are few people who want to spend their hard-earned break juggling bookings, deadlines and jostling with crowds.

The quiet solitude of Norfolk Island draws visitors year-round and has become a refuge for those who prefer a holiday a little more unique and hassle-free.

The Island is situated in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand  and 1673km east of Sydney. Flying time from the international airports of Brisbane or Sydney is around 2 hours or 1.5 hours from Auckland, New Zealand, and all routes are currently serviced by Air New Zealand. The short flight and an award-winning airline makes it an easy escape even for a short break such as a long weekend, or a mid-week recharge. Those who choose to stay a little longer however really appreciate the breathing space.

Upon arrival to the Island the first thing one notices when flying in is the picturesque beauty of the place with its high cliffs that surround most of the Island, its iconic Norfolk Island Pine trees that cover the undulating land mass of a meagre 35 square kilometers, and the sparkling blue lagoon- style bay that wraps the coastline around what is the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area.

Immerse yourself in the Culture

Norfolk Island is now readily known for its rich culture and incredibly fascinating and harrowing history, namely that of the period during which it was run as a penal colony – one of the worst to date. Take a tour of the Convict Settlements with any of the Tour Companies on the Island. It will leave you wide-eyed and speechless, perhaps even a little teary-eyed when you begin to consider what humans are capable of doing to each other – things that now seems so foreign to us in our Western societies today.

It can sometimes be difficult to get your head around the various settlements that have been on Norfolk Island. The best remedy for this is a wander through the Cyclorma at Gallery Guava. This is an outstanding 360º painting of the history of Norfolk Island and puts it all into perspective. The painting is done with so much skill that at times people have mentioned that it feels like you are actually on the water when viewing the ocean scenery. You can read more about it here: http://norfolkcyclorama.com

The strongest vibe one gets from the culture here is a sense of warmth and community. Despite all kinds of unsettledness with government issues and the transient type population that seems to be the norm, the people that you meet here are just as unique as the Island itself. Age is no boundary in conversations, and generosity abounds when someone is in real need. In an age when loneliness is the disease of the 21^st Century, one must wonder if that would ever be something you would experience in a place like this. The ‘Norfolk Wave’ is always an entertaining reminder of how life used to be and gives a much friendlier meaning to ‘raising a finger’ at a passing driver. This ‘finger salute’ when driving around is a traditional Norfolk Island greeting. Funnily enough it’s something that is very easy to pick up and you’ll find yourself in the habit once returning home – which always makes me smile.

Out and About

People often wonder if there is much happening on an Island in the middle of the ocean that is only 8km x 5km. Surprisingly, there is a lot! Each month there is an event of some kind being hosted on the Island and travellers either choose to be involved, or just stand by as onlookers. This includes a Food Festival, various Music and Theatre festivals, an Outriggers competition, sporting events and more. See more here: http://www.norfolkisland.com.au

The flavour of the food that you get here either from the local Farmer’s Market or from the many different Cafes and Restaurants around the Island is simply delightful. This place gives ‘paddock to plate’ an entirely new perspective with salad and veggies grown meters from the door of the place that is selling or serving them, and the seasonal tropical fruits are a sensation all of their own – bursting with flavour, juice and goodness. There are a number of ‘Foodie’ tours that highlight the quality and freshness of what is on offer from the locals’ gardens.

Fishing here is re-named ‘Catching’ by the local anglers as an ocean adventure rarely fails to disappoint. Go snorkelling in the lagoon that is Emily and Slaughter Bay and view with fresh eyes the underwater world in all its beauty and wonder. Kayaking, paddle-boarding and surfing are great things to do for the more energetic of us travellers, and a friendly local can easily hook you up the gear (or book a tour) to get out on the water.

Get a Place to Yourself

Despite the fact that Norfolk Island is a little off the beaten track and slightly more isolated than your usual destinations for travel, it certainly does not mean you have to ‘rough it’ when it comes to accommodation options. Hotels and suites might be the choice in a city style location, however when going ‘island-style’ it’s recommended that you go for a Holiday Home when selecting a Norfolk Island accommodation option. Norfolk Island Holiday Homes have a portfolio of 11 properties with varying facilities, ranging in size, bedrooms, distance from the centre of town and all are suitable for families. Each house comes with an optional hire car which is preferred by most – it is a little difficult to get around the undulations otherwise.

These houses, in various locations dotted all over the Island are all surrounded by gardens, with some offering fresh fruit straight from the trees at various times of the year. Sit on the decks overlooking the stunning views from any of these properties. Renting a Holiday Home means you literally get the place to yourself, an idyllic option for absolute space and tranquility. http://norfolkislandholidayhomes.com.au

Breathe Deeply

This little gem in the middle of nowhere really is a go-to place when you find that life has just become too fast. The clean air (some of the purest in the world), the locally sourced produce, the fishing adventures, the sub-tropical forest walks, the days at the beach… this is the type of escape that we all dream about experiencing when we are rushing around in this thing we call ‘life’. Step away from that for a little while and take a deep breath of pure Norfolk Island air. You’ll be glad you did.

Norfolk Island Holidays Homes

Each Norfolk Island holiday home is fully self-contained, comfortably furnished, and are surrounded by beautiful sub-tropical gardens providing a peaceful, secluded and relaxing ambience. So whether you require accommodation for a group booking, a family holiday, a romantic getaway for two, or you are just a single seeking some solitude, contact us now to book your perfect Norfolk Island Holiday Home, or have a look at the portfolio on our website here: www.norfolkislandholidayhomes.com.au

Ahystyk Cottage – Auwas Island Home – Anson Bay Lodge – Ball Bay House – Bucks Point House – Dii Elduu – Girlies Holiday Home – Lavendula Cottage – Oceanview Apartments – Tau Gardens – Riggers Retreat