Holiday and travel information for Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is part of the early history of Australia as it started its european life as a brutal penal colony. This place was probably the most feared penal colony in the Pacific by the original convicts who were sentenced to spend their time here. Today it is easy to see the relics of its past as the ruins of the original jails and buildings can still be seen today. Today, Norfolk Island is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. The Island itself is particularly beautiful with tall cliffs dropping away into a wind swept coast line and the hills and valley clothed in the green patchwork of an agricultural landscape. Today the island has a unique culture. Descendents of the convicts have merged with the families of the mutineers from the mutiny on the bounty and the phone book in full of Christians and Quintals and the like who still make their homes here.

Norfolk Island is an external territory under the control of Australia. It uses Australian currency although it maintains its own legislature, customs and police force. The Island is a tax free shopping haven and is free from many of the ills of its mainland cousins. There is no income tax, GST snakes, traffic problems and cows have right of way on the roads. The weather here is near perfect with temperatures ranging from 21 to 26 degrees. Australian citizens require a valid passport however a visa is not required.

This is now a fantastic holiday destination. There is plenty of quality accommodation to choose from and it is a shopper’s paradise. The shops are duty free and you can expect to save between 20% and 50% depending on the item. Popular purchases include sporting goods, perfumes, clothing, electronics, cameras and perfumery. There are around twenty quality restaurants on the Island so the hardest decision of the day will be where to have dinner. There are also plenty of historic sights and museums to visit in and around the town of Kingston. Access to Norfolk Island is by air from either Sydney or Brisbane in Australia or from Auckland in New Zealand. Norfolk Island uses Australian currency.