Overview

Walkers traverse the steep cliffs of the Lower Road, Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island

Walkers traverse the steep cliffs of the Lower Road, Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island is a unique and beautiful place to visit, and fully deserving of its World Heritage status. Less than 11km long and 3km wide at its widest, it has an immense variety of flora and fauna including many plants and animals not found anywhere else. Only a small area in the central north region of the island is settled, with Mt Lidgbird (777m) and Mt Gower (875m) dominating the southern end of the island, and rocky cliffs in the far north. The World Heritage Area itself covers a somewhat wider area, including many of the offshore islands, and the southern-most coral reefs in the world.

Access

The island lies 600km east of Port Macquarie - 31°32'S 159°05'W. There are two ways onto the island: boat and plane. A regular air service connects Sydney, Brisbane, Port Macquarie and Norfolk Island. Due to the popularity and World Heritage Listing of the area, there is a restriction on visitor numbers to about 400 at a time, and travel permits must be obtained in advance. A tourist tax per adult is charged to fund maintenance and emergency flight insurance and is not included in accomodation or travel charges. Help

Walks

Malabar

Time: 2 hrs Distance: 5km Fitness: E Skill: E Ascent: 210m

North Bay

Time: 3 hrs Distance: 7km Fitness: E Skill: E Ascent: 140m

The Clear Place and Valley of Shadows

Time: 2 hrs Distance: 3km Fitness: E Skill: E Ascent: 20m

A short walk with good opportunity for bird watching and views of Lord Howe Island

Mt Gower

Time: 7 hrs Distance: 10km Fitness: M Skill: M Ascent: 850m

The most difficult walk on Lord Howe Island, but the views from the top on a clear day are spectacular

Links