Norfolk Island

We start our tour at Sydney International airport where we meet fellow travellers for our flight from Sydney to Norfolk Island. On arrival at Norfolk, we will be transferred to our accommodation with plenty of time to unpack, explore our surroundings, and then join others in the group for our Welcome Two-course dinner at the restaurant at your accommodation (South Pacific Resort Restaurant).

After a cooked breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken on a Half-Day Island tour where you’ll enjoy an overview of the geography, environment, history and culture of Norfolk Island. This tour includes a delicious morning tea. There will be free time in the afternoon for relaxing or exploring, then in the evening you’ll be treated to an Island Fish Fry where you’ll be able to enjoy a feast of island dishes, salads, homemade bread and fresh fried fish, followed by Island desserts and tea of coffee, all while taking in the scenery of Norfolk’s beautiful western coastline and enjoying some local entertainment.

After your hot breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation and taken to the home of world renowned author, Colleen McCullough. Colleen made Norfolk Island her home in 1979 where she stayed until her passing in 2015. During her time on the Island, Colleen created a majestic home with her husband, Ric Robinson, and the home was never open to the public until her passing. This exclusive guided tour to the author’s magnificent property takes you through Ric and Colleen’s home where you’ll view some of their priceless collections from around the world. Tonight is pizza and cheese night at Castaways. (B,D)

Free time this morning after breakfast and then later on after lunch you’ll be taken to Anson Bay where you’ll visit a small hobby farm which was instrumental  in improving the local livestock industry. Close by you’ll be able to see a demonstration at Norfolk’s major Pottery workshop and browse at the Cottage Pottery Shop. After a delicious morning tea at a scenic location, you’ll visit a Banyan tree, followed by a visit to Sweeties to learn how chocolate is made on Norfolk Island. Dinner at your accommodation tonight where you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow travellers and compare notes and photos of your Norfolk Island experience so far.

A big day today, starting with a hot cooked breakfast. You’ll then visit Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama. The cyclorama provides a total experience where visitors walk inside one continuous 360° panoramic painting and feel as though they are standing on a pier or ship deck and are a part of the scenes. Walk inside this unique work of art that will take you on an incredible journey. Discover how the world’s most famous mutiny created the Pitcairn and Norfolk communities, then sit down and enjoy a delicious scone, jam and cream with your choice of tea or coffee.

Later we join an in-depth tour of the historic Georgian settlement of Kingston. Walk through the cemetery and hear the history of interesting convict and colonial headstones, and hear stories of the houses along Quality Row. You’ll also walk through the ruins of the New Gaol, see the Pier Store, Boat Shed and the Crank Mill.

Dinner tonight is “Pizza and Cheese Platters” at Castaway Restaurant and Bar.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transported to the Pitcairn Settlers Village where you’ll learn about the colourful history of Norfolk’s most recent settlement—the Pitcairn descendants. Experience the history and culture of the Pitcairn settlers, view the magnificent homestead gardens including many traditional crops. Ride in Norfolk’s first tour coach—a model A Ford. View a film, visit a blacksmith’s forge, the original homestead, a WWII army hut and museum of Memorabilia. The tour also includes light refreshments.

You’ll have free time this afternoon to relax or explore, followed by dinner at our accommodation.

Later this evening you’ll experience the Sound and Light Show. The stillness and the stars are there just as they were before mankind arrived in 1788. However with dramatic use of real life sounds, theatrical lighting and costumed actors, the stillness is broken as you are taken through the horrifying decades of Norfolk island’s convict era.

Today is a free day for you to explore and enjoy this magical Island in the South pacific, spend time in the town, admiring many of the art and craft shops,  search for gifts to take home, spend more time with the locals, go for a leisurely walk to one of the bays, or even re-visit some of the spots we’ve already been to. This is your last day here and tonight we enjoy our last evening meal together at Hilli Restaurant.

Enjoy a hearty cooked breakfast this morning then you have time to pack your case and get ready for your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Sydney, taking with you some lovely memories of this beautiful holiday destination.