The emerald green gem that is Norfolk Island emits rays of relaxation from its serene pine forests & spectacular beaches, but beneath this aura of calm beats the heart of an athlete, an action hero, a marathon runner waiting to start. This island has events for all, so what are you waiting for, it’s time to get amongst it on Norfolk Island.
Australia Day is celebrated on Norfolk Island, Tuesday 26 January, 2017. 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 13 – 17 February 2017, open to over 50’s & older. A stroke/stableford event with awards. Welcome evening on the Monday at the Golf Club starts from 5.30pm, celebrations all week – go to www.burntpinetravel.com
Many of our readers enjoy a game of bowls & 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 20-24 & it is a superb event. The club welcomes all visitors whether bowlers or socialisers for a game, a tournament or just a drink & dinner from its famous bistro. The Bounty Fours Tournament is held from the 1-7 May 2017 & is an 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 & ladies teams. Great prize money is to be won at all tournaments. Team enquiries are welcome, as are all other enquires at www.norfolkislandlawnbowls.com
It’s the friendliest club you’ll ever visit & 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 2017 & the Bounty Bowls Fours in May 2016 with 7 days all inclusive starting from $925 per person. www.burntpinetravel.com
The main shopping strip in Norfolk Island is 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.
Norfolk Island celebrates Valentine’s 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 & wine festivals or take part in a tai chi & 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.
Watch teams power paddle around the island when you follow the outrigger canoes around the islets & Phillip Island, on the northwest side of Norfolk. The Outrigger Canoes come from the US, Hawaii, Australian, New Zealand & Norfolk Island itself & compete against one another in this most colourful event. The Outriggers Canoe Challenge from the 29 March – 1 April 2017. You will be entertained by ironmen & women paddling for their various teams & the after party events go on every night.
Abundant sea life make Norfolk Island an anglers dream. Beach, rock & boat fishing can all be arranged at your accommodation.
Close to the National Park & 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 & greenery. This private one bedroom luxury cottage has all the appointments you need & is in a position that is just perfect for our outdoor walking travellers. www.selwyncottage.com
Gamblers are well looked after with the Texas Holdem Poker Tournament drawing poker enthusiasts from around the globe in March.
Mainlanders are now able to buy a slice of paradise. Norfolk Island business & 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 & New Zealand competitions even the World Masters. The annual shooting championships are held the first Sunday in December for a week. Shooting days are the second & fourth Saturday of the month & all visitors are welcome.
Art workshops & symposiums are held throughout the year as are craft & photography workshops & classes, some combining nature walks & 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.burntpinetravel.com for details that suit your special interest.
Shippies flock to the 227th Anniversary of the wrecking of HMS Sirius with history lovers running amok on the island during celebrations in March 2017. For all these events go to www.burntpinetravel.com for all bookings.
The RSL plays a very important role in the Norfolk community which had the highest head ratio of enlisted men & women in the Commonwealth. A very important role indeed, 280 out of a possible 365 men plus eight women joined the Australian & NZ military for WWII & then local islanders have been involved in all the other deployments since, up to this day. A proud & loyal island population, commemorate & honour these loyal soldiers at the Norfolk Island RSL which is open 7 days a week, the bistro from Wednesday to Friday for lunch & dinner 6 days a week, Sunday being famous for their hearty roast dinners. There is live entertainment, raffles, big screen sports & they are use to hosting large RSA & visiting RSL groups with the club catering up to 250 people. Contact rslclub@ni.net.nf.
Getting exercise while having fun is easy at the Line Dancers Festival, Ye hawing along from the 26 Feb – 3 March 2017.
The Tennis Vets Championships welcome all players, with hospitality & competitions. Combining holidays with sport has never been easier with social events after every days matches from the 14-25 April – go to www.burntpinetravel.com for details.
Quilter’s getaways, Ballroom Dancing Festivals, Archery Competitions, Agricultural shows, scrabble & painting workshops & festivals are regularly held all over the island. Go to www.burntpinetravel.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 & scuba diving. All have their popular spots with ocean galore surrounding the emerald green island.
The Norfolk Island Country Music Festival takes place from the 15-19 May 2017 with 10 night packages from Brisbane or Sydney starting at $1035. Go to www.burntpinetravel.com for details.
Keeping fit is what it is all about at Norfolk Island Fitness & Health. Combine your island holiday with pilates, boxfit, core training, maxercise abs & butts classes or your own personal trainer. This Fitness Australia Registered exercise studio is perfect for individual or group for rehab or fully functional training, spin classes & more. Got to www.norfolkislandfitnessandhealth.com.au for more information.
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 & surfing, sailboarding & yachting, just some of the many sporting pastimes available for your participation on Norfolk Island. www.burntpinetravel.com has all the information.
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 & wood carvings of ships.
Life abounds on this 3 million year old volcanic outcrop with an amazing variety of birds & trees, some only seen here. Walks & treks can be arranged from your lodgings on the island.
People are friendly on the island where everyone waves. Where life is lived at island pace, but where concerts, theatre & live events abound. It is still a place to come & slow down, yet there is something new & exciting to do each & every day.
On the island of relaxation, you can do what you want to do. Learn a new craft. Eat the freshest seafood & produce nature can supply. Have fun with super friendly locals. It never stops on Norfolk Island & it’s so close to home.
