A year round hub of activity, Norfolk Island with its culture, beaches, history and natural beauty can keep our culture vultures and sports enthusiasts on the go year round. With numerous events suitable for participation or entertainment. The choice is empowering.
Watch teams power paddle around the island when you follow the outrigger canoes around the islets and Phillip Island, on the northwest side of Norfolk. The Outrigger Canoes come from the US, Hawaii, Australian, New Zealand and Norfolk Island itself and compete against one another in this most colourful event. The Round the Rock Marathon is on from Sunday 17 January – Thursday 21 January 2016. You will be entertained by ironmen and women paddling for their various teams and the after party events go on every night. Go to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/
Government House have their Charity Open Day on Wednesday 20 January – visit and appreciate the rich history of Norfolk Island at this World Heritage site.
After you have rested up the great outdoors awaits you. Take your pick from any number of sports; golf, tennis, squash, fishing, yoga, snorkelling, sea kayaking, edible gardens & eco tours, art galleries, bushwalking and let’s not forget all the water sports available in some of the clearest waters around. There are more than 30 dive sites ranging from the safety of the lagoon to the thrill of open water.
Surfers have more than their share of breaks around the island ranging from beach breaks to gnarly reefs, don’t drop in on the locals, a fierce crew of great surfers.
Rock and Rollers should schedule in the “Legends of Rock Tribute Tour” from Monday 25 January to Saturday 30 January. Dean Vegas is Elvis, Kris Knight is Buddy Holly and Dennis Knight is Johnny O’Keefe. See the Rockers, rock “the rock”. Got to www.burntpinetravel.com for more information.
Australia Day is celebrated on Norfolk Island, Tuesday 26 January, 2016. February brings a myriad of activity to “the rock” as Norfolk Island is called by the locals. The Norfolk Island Veterans Golf Tournament tees off on the 8 – 12 February 2016, open to over 50’s and older. A stroke/stableford event with awards. Welcome evening on the Monday at the Golf Club from 5.30pm. Celebrations all week – go to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/
Many of our readers enjoy a game of bowls and Norfolk Island Bowls Club has 75 years of experience hosting visitors at its club. The South Pacific Pairs Tournament is on in February from the 21-26 February 2016 and it is a superb event. The club welcomes all visitors whether bowlers or socialisers for a game, a tournament or just a drink and dinner from its famous bistro; The Bounty Fours Tournament is held from the 2-6 May 2016 and is open format, followed by a week of mixed team format. Teams come from all over. The August Triples Tournament is a 3 bowls triples for men and ladies teams. Great prize money is to be won at all tournaments. Team enquiries are welcome, at as are all other enquires at www.norfolkislandlawnbowls.com
It’s the friendliest club you’ll ever visit and Norfolk Islanders are plenty famous for their bowling teams, so a challenge is always on. Burnt Pine Travel have packages for the South Pacific Pairs in February 2016 and the Bounty Bowls Fours in May 2016 with 7 days all inclusive starting from $925 per person. www.burntpinetravel.com
The closest accommodation and very popular with our bowlers is the Polynesian Apartments. Available are one, two bedroom or studio units. You can rent your own car from here or grab a mountain bike and peddle around. Relax by the pool or enjoy a meal in the licensed Asian style restaurant.
Bowlers have a hot deal at the Polynesian; stay for 7 nights and pay for only 5 / 2 free games of bowls / bowling club discount voucher / a half day tour / breakfast and teams if you book a group of 12 you get 1 room free of charge. Perfect for the travelling bowler. www.norfolkislandlawnbowls.com
Norfolk Island celebrates Valentines Day for romantic travellers each year. Fleet Anniversary celebrate the First Fleet Anniversary in March. Government House hosts open days every month. Foundation Day is re-enacted each year on March the 6th.
Throughout the year you can participate in health retreats, Texas Holdem Poker Championships, visit food and wine festival or take part in a tai chi and quigong retreat. Learn about island conservation projects, do yoga, sports fishing, shoot pistols or ride horses. There are so many unusual activities on this wonderland offshore.
Gamblers are well looked after with the Texas Holdem Poker Tournament running from the 9-13 March 2016. This event draws poker enthusiasts from around the globe.
Mainlanders are now able to buy a slice of paradise. Norfolk Island business and property is now open for mainland Australian’s to purchase. Check on the conditions when on the island. A great place to live or have a holiday home.
Did you know that Norfolk Island has a pistol club where you can fire off a few rounds whilst watching the sea, in a unique location. Many of the members are top notch shooters representing Norfolk Island in the Commonwealth games, Australian and New Zealand competitions even the World Masters. The annual shootings championships are held the first Sunday in December for a week. Shooting days are the second and fourth Saturday of the month and all visitors are welcome.
Art workshops and symposiums are held throughout the year as are craft and photography workshops and classes, some combining nature walks and landscapes in various locations around the island.
Norfolk Island has specialists interest groups that hold many events year round. If you are a birdwatcher, a foodie, a model aero-plane enthusiast or a Ukulele player, there is a festival or workshop week for you. Got to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/ for details that suit your special interest.
Shippies flock to the 226th Anniversary of the wrecking of HMS Sirius with history lovers running amok on the island during celebrations in March 2016.
For all these events – Norfolk Island Travel has all inclusive 7 nights’ accommodation airfare/transfers with 7 day car hire from $999pp ex Brisbane or $1039 ex Sydney. Go to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/
Getting exercise while having fun is easy at the Line Dancers Festival, Ye hawing along from the 12-18 March.
The Tennis Vets Championships welcome all players, with hospitality and competitions. Combining holidays with sport has never been easier with social events after every days matches from the 3-10 April – go to www.burntpinetravel.com for details.
Quilter’s getaways, Ballroom Dancing Festivals, Archery Competitions, Agricultural shows, scrabble and painting workshops and festivals are regularly held all over the island. Go to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/ for more details.
Surfing is a favourite pastime with Norfolk Island’s keen crew. Some fine reef breaks can be found around the island. Windsurfing is also a popular sport as well as stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. All have their popular spots with ocean galore surrounding the emerald green island.
Abundant sea life make Norfolk Island an anglers dream. Beach, rock and boat fishing can all be arranged at your accommodation.
Close to the National Park and its many scenic walking trails are the lovely grounds of Selwyn Cottage. This famous cottage is set in a sub-tropical garden overlooking a peaceful valley of Norfolk pines and greenery. This private one bedroom luxury cottage has all the appointments you need and is in a position that is just perfect for our outdoor walking travellers. www.selwyncottage.com
The national park has many graded walks through magnificent pine and oak forests.
Christmas in July celebrations on Norfolk Island attract talent from Australian and New Zealand. Glenn Shorrock, Suzanne Prentice and the Legends of Rock are coming to perform. Burntpine Travel have a special package that includes Christmas lunch with artists, prizes and all the trimmings, entertainment, a ½ day tour, a visit to Colleen McCulloughs property, dinners at island homes, a sunset cliff top fish fry and much much more. Go to www.burntpinetravel.com. Mention Go55s for a gift.
Fantasy Island has 10 self-catering apartments set on 4 acres of land in town. Here you are close to all the shops and restaurants. Your balcony overlooks ocean and valley Choose from a studio, 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. Your tariff includes VIP airport shuttle, a town tour, a ½ day island tour and you can have your own hire car for $20 a day extra. Got to www.fantasynorfolk.com for bookings – groups are welcome.
Combine some spectator sport with your own action packed holiday with big game fishing, small boat fishing, skindiving, pistol shooting, archery, squash, tennis, nature treks, food festivals and surfing, sailboarding and yachting just some of the many sporting pastimes available for your participation on Norfolk Island. www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com
All of our travelling sports enthusiasts and grey nomad travellers rave about the spacious luxury cottages at Trade Winds Country Cottages. This beautiful, secluded and private executive escape is set in sub-tropical gardens on 4 acres with 1 or 2 bedroom cottages to choose from. A fully restored 3 bedroom island style homestead is also available for our intrepid readers. King size beds, all bedrooms with their own bathroom, verandah for relaxing and all mod cons are included stay and play at Trade Winds Cottages – www.tradewindsnorfolkisland.com
The main shopping strip in Norfolk Island in on Taylors Road in the area known as Burnt Pine. With low tax shopping on the island, shoppers will be in their element hunting for fabulous deals. This is where you will find Craig’s Knitwear with classical & fashion knits from around the world, with the bulk of their stock being imported from Europe & the United Kingdom & North America. lynsterling@ni.net.nf
Another famous spot for shopping is the Norfolk Island Markets. The Sunday morning outdoor markets are run at the Bicentennial Complex. Local artwork is worth checking out, including hand=-made baskets and wood carvings of ships.
Life abounds on this 3 million year old volcanic outcrop with an amazing variety of birds and trees, some only seen here. Walks and treks can be arranged from your lodgings on the island.
Families and groups are well catered for at Fletcher Christian Holiday Apartments where the rooms come with a car to help you run around to all the events on the Island. Sunny verandas to breathe the mighty fresh air at these one and two bedroom fully self-contained apartments. Have a BBQ on the lovely grounds or take a dip in the pool, rest and relax until the next event – go to www.fletcherchristian.nf for bookings.
People are friendly on the island where everyone waves. Where life is lived at island pace, but where concerts, theatre and live events abound. It is still a place to come and slow down, yet there is something new and exciting to do each and every day.
Country music fans love the Norfolk Island Country Music Festival from Monday 16 – Monday 23 May. Country stars from Australia and New Zealand perform their hits in various locations around the island and after the show stars and fans mingle with locals at the various venues. A truly unique yee-ha of a festival. Go to www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/ for bookings to this popular event.
At any time of the year there is something new on Norfolk Island. Come and relax, take in a show or two. Learn something new. Eat fresh local produce and fish. Meet super friendly locals. Always somewhere to go or something great to do here on Norfolk Island, the Isle of Fun.
