There are remote places and then there are really remote places. Tucked away roughly 2 hours from Brisbane and Sydney, Lord Howe Island falls into that latter category. UNESCO protected and some ~600kms east of mainland Australia for many Australians it remains not much more than a name they are somewhat familiar with. We can thank expensive flights and the cap of 400 visitors to the island at any one point for that! Remote location and expense in getting there aside, we’ve pulled together a blog article below to help you plan your trip to Lord Howe Island as well what to do there. And with so many amazing things to do on Lord Howe Island, it is a location that should be visited at least once.
Lord Howe Island is home to just 400 people. Many of them have ancestors dating back generations on the island. You’ll really enjoy meeting the islanders who will pop up time and time again! Most of them work multiple jobs for a few hours each day. You could be just like us and have the same person pick you up from the airport, serve you dinner and then take you out snorkelling. It’s just that kind of place and it’s bloody awesome. Such a wonderful, truly communal vibe like no other place I’ve visited before. Without further ado, here are the top 11 tips to make a visit to Lord Howe Island that much more rewarding.
#1 Rent a bike and explore the island
You can hire a car. But why would you? One of the most fun things to do on Lord Howe Island is to explore it from the comfort of a bike. Biking around Lord Howe island is an easy option, save for a few steep hills in parts, that can for the most part be avoided. It also lets you take in the experience, stopping along the way to take in all of the magical sights that Lord Howe Island offers up.
#2 Feed the fish at Ned’s beach
I’ve fed fish before, but never wandered out past the waves and feed by hand. There is a vending machine at Ned’s Beach, and for $1, you’ll get a cup of fish food to feed the hungry locals. There are limits on how much food they allow to be fed each day. So get down a little earlier in the day to make sure you get the chance to experience this unique opportunity. You won’t believe just how tame and friendly these fish can be.
#3 Climb!
Mount Gower is not for the faint hearted (and wasn’t on the ‘relaxed’ itinerary). It’s certainly one of the things to do on Lord Howe Island that will get your blood racing. The tallest mountain on the island, it represents a fantastic day trip. You’ll probably need a rest day afterwards from the few people we met who had completed it. You will also need a guide which can easily be arranged once you’re on Lord Howe.
Alternatively, there are easier walks and climbs like Transit Hill and Mount Eliza. Still enjoyable, they afford great and different views of the island and can be done by folks across a range of fitness levels.
#4 Get underwater
Whether you’re a diver or happy to stay up top and have a snorkel, there is a veritable variety of underwater sea life waiting for you. The perfect aqua tones are water are rarely captured in pictures, and needs to be seen to be believed. You’ll meet a range of fish, turtles, spectacular coral and even some shipwrecks.
#5 Enjoy the wildlife
There are plenty of unique species here for you to enjoy. Different seasons bring different birds and animals, so depending on when you’re here, you’ll see something different. If you go during October, you’ll have no shortage of my favourite local, the sooty tern. These birds squawk like no tomorrow, and if you head anywhere near their eggs expect to hear about it! The population of sooty terns has shot up in recent years, such is the sanctuary that Lord Howe Island provides.
#6 Disconnect
Sorry folks, if you’re looking to scroll Instagram or get reacquainted with Facebook, this isn’t the place to visit. There is no mobile service and wi-fi is patchy depending on where you’re staying. Landlines reign supreme. This is not altogether a bad thing, and it can be a wonderful way of disconnecting. Why not spend some time reading or enjoying all the natural pursuits that Lord Howe Island has to offer?
#7 Enjoy some Lord Howe culinary delights
There aren’t many restaurants on Lord Howe Island, but what they lack in quantity, they make up in quality. From the original Pinetrees Lodge, the slightly more upmarket Arajilla Retreat or something simpler at the Anchorage restaurant, there is something for every taste. Naturally, the majority of the produce comes from LHI, and the chefs get creative with the catch of the day. Be sure to book your table in advance, and you’ll be picked up at a set time. One of your friendly staff, chefs or otherwise will also happily give you a lift back to your accommodation such is the communal nature of staying on the island.
#8 BBQ by the beach
Don’t want to eat in a fancy restaurant? One of the nicest things to do on Lord Howe Island is grabbing some local produce and heading down to the beach. Most of the beaches have BBQ facilities available. You can grab a BBQ pack from the Thompson’s Store, Joy’s Shop or Top Shop (touted as the best for BBQ packs from what I could gauge). Then head down to a BBQ and enjoy cooking in the outdoors and lunch or dinner on the beach.
#9 Bring a few essentials
Lord Howe Island is a fabulous island getaway. Its isolation makes it so very appealing, but also comes with a downside. Grocery store visits are horrendously expensive, take it from me who paid $6 for a 600ml bottle of Coca-Cola! The island only gets a once a week boat delivery from the mainland, and key items can run out towards the end of the delivery window. Whilst you can’t take a whole lot of luggage, if you take a few packs of noodles, cereal and a couple of other light essential foods, you’ll save yourself a small fortune. It’s worth noting you will be likely weighed before the flight. Consider yourself warned!
If you’re staying for a while, one tip from a local was to use a site like Catch of the Day to order non-perishables ahead of time, delivery is free of charge. You’re welcome!
#10 Learn all about the history of Lord Howe Island
A small museum details the history of the island and makes for some interesting reading. From the numerous boats that have found themselves submerged or shipwrecked. Then to the stories of the first settlers and what was happening on the island during WW2, there is plenty to be learnt about this little island.
#11 Watch the planes take off and land at one of the most scenic airports in the world
It seems an odd addition to the list of things to do on Lord Howe Island, but bear with me. Your flight in will obviously be one of your first experiences. But on your bike ride, take some time to get down to the airport and watch the planes land. It’s an incredibly scenic landing on a clear day.
Well you’ve read this far…so you deserve a bonus tip. And possibly the one that might turn your dream of visiting Lord Howe Island into a reality…
#12 Use your Qantas points to get to Lord Howe Island
We got a few strange looks when we told people we were only visiting for four days. Despite the flight’s short duration, on a per km basis, it’s one of the most expensive, costing ~$AU1200 return to Sydney or Brisbane. That can be enough to get from Los Angeles from Sydney with change at the right time of year!
So what’s the trick? For a meagre 40,000 Qantas points plus taxes per person (as at October 2017) you can get yourself to Lord Howe Island. That’s probably the best tip you’ll find in this blog article I think! As far as value goes, this is one of the best value redemptions in terms of points (aside from perhaps a First Class experience). As beautiful as Lord Howe Island is, there was no way we were shelling out $2400 for both of us. So keep an eye on your Qantas points balance and put them to good use!
The best time to visit Lord Howe Island
The months between September and April are much warmer than the southern hemisphere winter. That said, you may still experience beautiful clear days.
We visited in October and found the weather during the day to be pleasant, although not super warm. We dipped our feet in the ocean and snorkelled, but it was a bit nippier than we’re accustomed too!
What you don’t get on Lord Howe Island is the extreme temperatures of the Australian mainland. Summer is warm, not hot and winter is cool but not cold. Lord Howe Island kind of sits in the middle in terms of temperature.
What might skew your decision one way or the other is the wildlife. Depending on the season, there are different animals and birds about. During our October visit, the sooty terns were in full force, but come a couple of months later and they’ll be finished their stay on the island.
So when it comes to the best time to visit Lord Howe Island, without being ridiculously broad in our recommendation, do some research on what you’d like to do and assess whether the time you’re looking to visit suits that best.
If I had to add one more thing though, it’d be when Qantas has some seats available for redemption!
Have you visited this beautiful island? Do you have any other things to do on Lord Howe Island that we’ve missed? Let us know below!
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