The Dirty Aussie - The Daily Happenings Of The Dirty Aussie

Lord Howe Island has sparkling turquoise water, fine white sand, quiet beaches, dramatic peaks and cliffs. The island came about after a volcanic explosion millions of years ago, which left craggy bays and inlets, intriguing places to hide away. Three hundred people live on the island, and no more than 400 tourists are allowed in at one time. Lord Howe is only 11km long, protected at its southern end by Twin Peaks and, 20km out to sea, by Ball’s Pyramid, the world’s highest rock.

Where to find Lord Howe Island

A 90-minute flight from Sydney, bang in the middle of the Tasman sea, on a level with Newcastle.

The Lord Howe Island has World Heritage status; the people smile and say hello to total strangers; the weather is mild in winter and rarely hotter than 26 C in summer.

What you can do?

Outdoorsy stuff. Water sports are high on the schedule; scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming. Then there is bush-walking, cycling, guided nature walks and, for the truly energetic, climbing. For those who want to just relax, there are plenty of secluded coves and inlets where you can take a picnic and just watch the waves roll in. It’s also one of the great surf destinations, though locals prefer to keep that secret to themselves. So hop on your bike to the enticing Blinky’s Beach or hand-feed the fish at Ned’s Beach. If you want to get some exercise, there are walks to the top of Mount Gower, but for the less energetic, how about lazy afternoons on fishing boats or checking out the reef from a glass-bottom boat instead?

Where to stay

There are 17 lodges to choose from, all family run, and some with restaurants. Consider Capella Apartments and Capella Lodge (closed during winter months); Pinetrees Lodge, complete with tennis court, boatshed and luxurious garden cottages; the recently opened Palm Haven, with four self-catering flats, and Leanda Lei self-contained apartments.

Where to eat

There are plenty of good restaurants on the island, all offering a different experience, from hearty three-course family meals to semi haute cuisine. Aunty Sue’s, set in a palm garden, has ex-Armstrong’s (North Sydney) chef and modern Australian cuisine as draw cards. Pine trees is a good spot for family fare; and try the fried fish at the Milky Way restaurant, open Monday and Friday nights only.

What to pack

All that classic island clothing you’ve seen in films, good walking shoes, sun block - and food. There are two quite expensive general stores on the island, so your own stock of alcohol and selected edibles makes sense. Don’t forget to pack a torch, too; most restaurants offer you a lift home after dinner, but some don’t, and there are virtually no streetlights on the island.