If you are looking for a quiet destination where nothing and no one will disturb you, we recommend Lord Howe Island. This is a destination where it is highly unlikely that you will meet someone you know.
This Australian island, with white sand beaches, is 11 kilometers long and 2.8 kilometers wide. With its crescent shape, it surrounds a blue-water lake and the world’s southernmost coral reef.
It is part of a group of islands, all of volcanic origin. Due to its great beauty and biodiversity, the group of islands was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Lord Howe Island is located in New South Wales, in the Tasman Sea. It has everything you need to escape the hustle of modern life. There’s no mobile phone signal, leaving you free to enjoy the surroundings without any technological distractions. The island operates with a strict visitor cap — no more than 400 tourists are allowed at any one time (not counting permanent residents).
The most used and recommended means of transport is the bicycle. Cycling lets you take in the stunning scenery at your own pace.
About 300 people live on the island year-round. There is a small town with a single street; it lacks tall buildings, but it has restaurants, a picturesque golf course, spas, and luxury hotels, making for a comfortable and enjoyable holiday.
What to Do on Lord Howe Island
On Lord Howe Island, you can enjoy all the activities the natural environment has to offer, including snorkeling on the coral reef and diving alongside colorful fish, coral reefs, and green sea turtles. The island also offers opportunities for surfing and fishing. At Ned’s Beach, when the tide is low, you can feed the fish.
Excursions to explore the island can take you to the volcanic peaks of Mount Lidgbird (777 meters) and Mount Gower (875 meters). The latter is accessible via a guided full-day hike that leads you all the way to the summit.
Do not miss the walk among Kentia palm trees, which will take you to Malabar Hill, where dramatic cliffs plunge into the ocean. In Transit Hill, you can admire the best panoramic views of the island, and, continuing along the same trail, you can reach Blinky Beach, known by locals as “champagne surf”.
You can also visit nearby islands, such as Ball’s Pyramid, a rocky islet formed from the remains of an eroded volcano. This islet is located 16 km from Lord Howe Island.
How to Get There
The island is accessible by plane from Sydney or Brisbane. The flight lasts two hours. On the island’s official website, you can find more information about its accessibility.
The area is not free from the threats of climate change.
The increase in temperature affects the flora and fauna of the place, especially in the habitat of Mount Gower, as there are no higher elevations to migrate to.
Around 64 native angiosperm plant species and more than 30 bird species inhabit the island, some of which are endangered, including the “woodhen”, a flightless bird native to the island.
Unfortunately, the reefs are also threatened by climate change.
