Everything You Need to Know About Lord Howe Island

• Posted by: Editor
• On: 18/Dec/2008
• In: Australia Car Hire

First of all a little bit of history…

The Royal Navy commanded by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball discovered Lord Howe Island on 17th February 1788. Lieutenant Ball was on his way to Botany Bay when they spotted the island.

On their return he sent a group ashore and to their surprise they discovered it was uninhabited and was an island unknown to man. Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball had nearby islands named after him and so this new discovery was named after Richard Howe, the first Earl Howe who was the first Lord of the Admiralty. 

About the island…

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Lord Howe Island is 600 kilometres east of Australia’s mainland. It's 10 kilometres long, 2 kilometres wide and is crescent-like in shape.

It's a natural paradise with breathtaking scenery, lush green plantation, crystal clear waters with a beautiful sheltered lagoon and an amazing coral reef. The beauty of this island provides an amazing backdrop and plays centre stage to many activities such as: canoeing, snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, bushwalking, hiking, and more.

If you prefer taking life at an easier pace there's a great selection of spa treatments available on the island, wonderful restaurants to choose from, clean and un-crowded golden beaches and wonderful scenic walks.   

If you've a head for heights Mount Gower is rated as one of the world’s best day walks.  Located at the southern tip of Lord Howe Island this is an 875-meter hike to the summit. It will probably take between 8-10 hours to compete, and although the hike is rope-assisted it's not for the faint hearted! However reaching the summit is a great achievement and you'll certainly be rewarded with the stunning views. 

There are 14 species of seabirds recorded on the island, as well as 18 species of land-birdsm making it a popular location for bird watchers and photographers. In addition it's home to over 400 species of fish and 80 types of coral on the reefs.

It's particularly popular with scuba divers. There's great beauty in the waters beneath and diving is a must when you visit the island. Discover the amazing sub-tropical fish, turtles, marine life and more. 

Due to the size of Lord Howe Island there's no public transport. It is however very easy to get around.  Most accommodation providers will meet and greet you on arrival to the island, if you wish you can hire bikes and helmets, and there is a limited number of rental cars available.  It is however best to discover this island on foot or by bike.

There's a really good selection of restaurants offering tasty dishes and fine wines, spirits and beers. Shopping consists of grocery shops, art and craft shops, souvenir shops, pharmaceuticals, beauticians, and a hair salon.  Island prices are normally higher due to the shipping costs incurred. 

How to get here…

The only feasible way to get to Lord Howe is by air, well unless you have your own yacht that is!  Quantas Link offers an all year round service to the Island. The flight is just under 2 hours with flights departing from Sydney most days. 

For information on Quantaslink flights, times, fares, and to book your flight to Lord Howe Island check out the Quantaslink website. 

Where to stay…

There's a total of 17 holiday properties to choose from on Lord Howe Island and most of them are family run. You can select from self-catering accommodation, traditional bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and boutique luxury lodges. 

Find out more about accommodation on Lord Howe Island. 

Please note: camping is not permitted so it's essential to book your accommodation in advance!

So if you've a day or two to spare, a trip to Lord Howe Island is highly recommended. It's a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

If you are planning a trip to Sydney and need a car, you can pick up a car rental at Sydney Airport. Check out our car hire Sydney Airport page.

Have you been to Lord Howe Island? What stood out for you as the best bit? We'd love to hear from you.