This time we are heading to the land of endless adventure travel, breath-taking landscapes, and a dream of every single traveler! Today we will be taking a fascinating trip to Norfolk Island. But where is Norfolk Island? Norfolk Island is located in the Pacific Ocean and is included in the territories of Australia. The three islands jointly form the Norfolk Island Territory and the adjacent Phillip Island and Nepean Island. There were living 1748 people in a total area of around 35 km2 at the 2016 census—Kingston is the capital of Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is Australia's outer zone, situated 1,412 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia. If someone asks us, "Where is Norfolk Islands?" we can say that it is located in Australia. However, in this article, we will not be only talking about the best things to do on Norfolk Island or about exciting places to visit, as our main goal will be to find out fascinating facts about the island. So, please welcome "10 things you did not know about Norfolk Island"!
1. Norfolk Island history
Flintfields such as Greim's Tombs at Breckland are the most prominent sights of the Stone Age. Long and round barrows from the Bronze Age can also be identified. The early British Iceni people, of whom the legendary Boudicca was later a queen, invaded the European mainland region in the 3rd century BCE. There were two towns in Norfolk during the Roman era, Cai Caister, next to Yarmouth. Norwich served as the region's center under the Normans, and it became a significant medieval city with steady development and good overseas relations. However, it has struggled with internal conflicts for a long time, inadequate sanitation, and catastrophic fires. The most heavily inhabited and most productive rural area of the world was medieval Norfolk. The soil was cultivated intensively, and massive flocks sustained the wool trade. Other sectors were important as well, such as peat extraction.
2. Norfolk Island weather
Norfolk Island is a nice place to visit year-round, so the 'right time to visit' is mostly a personal choice. You can choose the best time to visit Norfolk depending on what sort of holiday you prefer, whether it is a relaxed summer break by the pool, an adventurous getaway to compete in an international sports tournament, or a family reunion over the school holidays. The Norfolk Island weather is perfect most of the time. It is situated in the South Pacific Ocean east of Australia at 29 degrees south, is subtropical coastal, with regular rain and snow, but still an adequate amount of sunshine. The weather is close to spring-ish most of the year.
3. Norfolk Island flag
One of the most interesting things that you should know about the island is its flag. Well, the Norfolk Island flag was approved on 6 June 1979 by the Norfolk Island Government. The flag shows a central white line between two green lines reflecting the Norfolk Island pine. The geometry of the flag is a triband with a broader central stripe than the two lateral stripes. The Norfolk Island flag bears a similarity to the flag of Nigeria. We would also not be mistaken if we said that Slightly reminiscent of Canada's flag using just two colors and inclusion in the central white band of a popular local floral emblem.
4. Capital of Norfolk Island
The capital of Norfolk Islandis Kingston city, which is Australia's second oldest settlement, established almost after a month of the foundation of Sydney. We should also mention that it is part of the World Heritage site of the Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic District. To be more precise, the town was established on 6 March 1788 by Lieutenant Philip Gidley King and 22 settlers who landed from HMT Supply that day. A couple of weeks after the founding of the British colony of New South Wales, they sailed from Port Jackson. At the head of Kingston Pier, the old town dating back to 1788 comprises many twisting erratic streets. The new city consists of a grid plan in a style that is reminiscent of Romans, as set out by the Royal Engineers during the 1830s. There are two long western roads to the east. These two thoroughfares are linked by Pier Lane, Bounty Street, short cross streets. You should definitely visit the capital because it is one of the best things to do in Norfolk Island.
5. Norfolk Island holidays
No one can argue over the fact that the island is one of the best destinations if you want back your peace of mind. With a strong English heritage with spectacular architectural styles, the island has a heritage that needs to be felt. Also, worth mentioning that there is no way that you might come across trains or crowded roads to interrupt the peace that you were seeking. No matter what you are looking for exactly in your Norfolk Island holidays, I can assure you that, 100 percent satisfaction rate is guaranteed! Here you can choose holidays set along the spectacular coastline or nestled in the hills' seclusion, from typical holiday hotel accommodations in the city center to quaint bed and breakfast and self-catering options.
6. Norfolk Island hotels
Having an idea of different accommodation options is one important thing you should know before coming to Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island has a remarkable range of accommodation options, taking into consideration its status and limited accessibility, starting with the regular Norfolk Island hotel and motel type accommodation situated in the city center, continuing with a number of outstanding "apartment"-type of accommodation options located around the coastline and up in the mountains.
7. Norfolk Island population
Till 1814, when the island was deserted due to its dangerous landing places, loneliness, and the fact that Australia's largest settlement was already strongly developed, convicts and free settlers made Norfolk their main home. However, in 1856, the island was turned over to the notorious Bounty mutineers' ancestors and their Tahitian women, the Pitcairn Islanders. Before moving to their land grants, where they established houses, the 196 new arrivals lived in Kingston's convict buildings. Indigenous Norfolk Islanders were 22.1 percent of the total population in the 2016 census. Throughout the 20th century to the present, migrant movements from mainland Australia and New Zealand have been a large part of the Norfolk Island population.
8. Adventure travel: Norfolk Island National Park
Do you want to discover just the best of Norfolk Island? Well, the national park is where you should be heading. Norfolk Island National Park is a great place to see the island's rare flora and fauna, for a bushwalk, birdwatching, and soaking in Norfolk and Phillip islands' many amazing sceneries from different vantage points. As its flora and fauna are derived from plants and animals' possible distribution over large ocean ranges, Norfolk Island retains considerable ecological importance. Even though the parks' administration seeks protection and convenience for visitors to enjoy the island's natural beauty, vital work continues to rehabilitate and preserve wildlife and human animals. So, no wonder why the island's national park is seen as a center of adventure travel and is one of the most exciting things to do in Norfolk Island.
9. Islands to visit
One of the best travel things to do is to visit small islands located nearby. You can start with Phillip island, situated in the Southwest Pacific, 6 km south of Norfolk Island, and is part of the Norfolk Island group. Lieutenant Philip Gidley King named it after Arthur Phillip, the first New South Wales Governor, in 1788. Phillip Island is part of Norfolk Island's Australian outer territory in Norfolk Island National Park, the adjacent Nepean Island, and about 10% of proper Norfolk Island. Apart from Norfolk and Phillip Islands, Nepean is not of volcanic origin, but it is Late Pleistocene limestone formed from windblown sand dunes during the last two ice ages. Calcareous sand grains have been attached to form a calcarenite limestone by carbonate cement. Owing to its limited size and cliffs flanking it, Nepean Island is completely uninhabited, making it almost difficult for speedboats to land. It is part of the external region of Norfolk Island within the Commonwealth of Australia.
10. Visit Emily Bay
One of Australia's finest beaches is Emily bay beach. In crystal blue waters, you can dive or snorkel, or have a picnic. Here you can get an opportunity to see the Government Building, the home of the present Norfolk Island Administrator, from the Lime Kiln ruins. Government House is usually closed for a public visit; however, you will see inside if you are fortunate enough to be there on an open day.
