Norfolk Island–Western Pacific Ocean (Part1)

We recently spent seven (7) magnificent days on this island paradise. It’s a beautiful volcanic remnant with steep cliffs, fertile soils and a slow pace to life and lots of seabirds in the Spring-Summer period. The local population of some 2000 relies mainly on tourism, fishing and farming. The island has a brutal colonial British convict past (between 1788 and 1853), intermixed with Pitcairn Islander descendants arriving in 1856. Prior to 1788 the island was settled by Polynesian communities for several hundred years who then mysteriously returned home.

Kingston the main town (was originally called Sydney before Sydney NSW was named) it’s still called Sydney Bay at the wharf area. Today the convict ruins are a UNESCO world heritage site.

Norfolk Island is located north of New Zealand and nearly 1600km north east of Sydney, Australia. There are only 3 flights a week from Sydney and Brisbane. We chose to fly from Sydney to this island gem. NI is an Overseas Territory of Australia.

Old lighter vessels used for unloading stores at the old colonial port of Kingston on the south east coast. Unloading ships can only be done by Lighters in mild seas as there is no wharf for ships to dock.