Well Travelled reader Kathy Brown shares with us her love of the untouched beauty of Lord Howe Island – and why she wants to keep it that way.
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How would you rate your experience?
5-stars.
The one thing not to be missed is?
This was our second (and I dare say second of many more) trips to Lord Howe.
The first visit stand out experience was snorkelling over a wonderful coral reef just off Ned’s Beach, having our toes nibbled on by huge King Fish and Silver-Drummer – some even bumping into our goggles for a better look … and not a soul on the beach.
During our recent second visit we tried a few more of the remote walks. The Malabar walk, starting at Ned’s Beach, rises to a narrow ridgeline along the northern end of the island to North Bay. It is exposed over the cliffs with expansive views over the island. A few little tingles but well worth the hike.
If I had more time, I would have …
Taken a boat trip around the island and maybe out to Ball’s Pyramid – that sharp pinnacle that jumps out of the ocean south of Lord Howe.
A couple of local tour operators do the trip regularly, and it is home to some very rare species and world-class diving and fishing. Certainly planned for our next trip to Lord Howe.
My hot travel tip is …
Two things – regardless of where you stay on the island you must have dinner at Pinetrees at least once. It is superb… and recently voted Australia’s best hotel by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Second is to walk down to the south end of the lagoon to Little Island. It sits just off a rocky beach under the cliffs of Mt Lidgbird. The day we were there we saw waterfalls crashing down through the rainforest toward the beach. Again – not a soul around. Quite a spiritual experience.
How do you rank this trip?
The terms ‘unique’ and ‘pristine’ come up time and time again in travel advertising. I think Lord Howe is as close to these things as can be experienced. The island limits the number of visitors at any one time, so it is always quiet and low impact on the environment. We have been fortunate to see a few ‘tropical islands’ and they rarely live up to expectation. Lord Howe does … if it’s want you want.
Both our visits have been for seven nights each. Not long really, but seven nights on Lord Howe seems like weeks anywhere else – so peaceful, and switching off isn’t really a choice – no mobile phones, very limited internet.
Travelling from Australia it is so simple – a couple of hours flight (we flew from Port Macquarie on the recent trip), and the island is so small it takes a few minutes to find your accommodation. Hiring a pushbike is the best way to get around. A few minutes pedalling in any direction gets you where you want to be.
My favourite meal was …
We stayed at Pinetrees on our first visit. Its fully catered and it is quite sensational. We stayed elsewhere this visit, but splurged on a dinner at Pinetrees for our wedding anniversary. Being on an island with limited resources, the chef’s are very innovative and creative… and it works. It doesn’t really matter what you eat here … it will be high quality and gorgeous.
If you are dining or staying with them make sure you soak up the sunset at their Boathouse on the lagoon for a pre-dinner refresher.
I never travel without …
Leave your phone at home and pack some good walking shoes. Maybe some extra padding to help with the pushbike riding. And an appreciation for the rarity of the place.
Some final thoughts …
Like many lovely places, the economy of Lord Howe is heavily reliant on travellers. It is such a pity that so often the thing that makes a place attractive and enjoyable can be so easily ruined by its sheer attractiveness.
I hope this is not the case for Lord Howe. An extra car here or there, a few more travellers who may not be quite so sensitive to the fine balance of nature on the island … it is an old adage, but if, and more likely when, you go there, please tread lightly and take only photos.
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