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Territory of Australia

Australia and New Zealand

Norfolk IslandTravel guide

Explore Norfolk Island visa rules

Norfolk Island is an island administered by Australia, east of Sydney and Brisbane. It offers coastal views, tropical reefs, convict history and places to relax.

Why go

  1. Explore the convict sites, which form part of a World Heritage Site.

  2. Enjoy the coast around Kingston and Emily Bay.

  3. Try fresh seafood, including local trumpeter fish.

  4. Learn about the island's Bounty descendants and their Norfuk language.

Getting there

By air

  • Norfolk Island Airport is on Taylors Road in the island's southwest. Burnt Pine, the main shopping centre, is within walking distance.
  • Qantas operates direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane. These flights leave from international terminals, even though travel from mainland Australia is domestic.
  • Air Chathams offers flights from Auckland. The flight takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

By sea

  • A few cruise ships visit each year. Passengers travel ashore in small boats when the weather allows.
  • Cruise schedules are listed by Transam Argosy and Norfolk Online News.

Customs

  • Declare all food, plant material, wooden articles and animal products you bring.
  • Commercially sealed packaged foods are allowed. Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and meat require a commercial permit.
  • Restrictions differ depending on which direction you travel between the island and mainland Australia.

Getting around

  • Rental car

    There is no public transport, and most independent visitors rent a car. Hills and distances make walking between attractions impractical for most people. Car hire costs $85–$100 a day and may be included with accommodation. Petrol, extra drivers and insurance that reduces what you pay after damage may cost extra. Arrange your rental ahead of time because opening hours can be short. Most operators meet arriving customers at the airport. Drive on the left and give cows and other animals right of way outside town. The speed limit is 50 km/h outside Burnt Pine and 40 km/h inside it. The school zone limit is 30 km/h from 8AM to 3:30PM on school days.

  • Scooter

    Scooter hire costs $50 a day.

  • Tours

    A variety of tours runs daily.

  • Walking

    You can walk from the airport terminal to Burnt Pine. If your cruise stops at Kingston, you can spend a short visit walking along the coast to Emily Bay and the cemetery.

What to see and do

  • Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area

    Explore the island's convict history and historic sites.

  • Kingston coast

    Walk along the picturesque coast towards Emily Bay and the cemetery.

  • Burnt Pine

    Browse the main street's shops for local arts and crafts, books, clothes and shoes.

  • Swim at Emily Bay or Slaughter Bay

    These Kingston bays are protected by a natural coral reef and are the island's only locations described as safe for swimming.

  • Foundation Day

    On 6 March, morning re-enactments at Kingston mark the arrival of the first settlement in 1788.

  • Bounty Day

    On 8 June, celebrate the arrival of the Bounty descendants with re-enactments, parades, a community picnic and special services.

Food and drink

  • Fresh seafood

    Seafood is a local speciality, and many restaurants serve freshly caught fish. Local trumpeter is commonly available.

  • Vegetarian and vegan food

    Most restaurants have at least one vegetarian dish. Vegan choices are limited, so you may need to prepare your own meals.

  • Other dietary needs

    Gluten-free food is widely available, and some restaurants can cater for food allergies. Kosher and halal meals are not available.

  • Lunch

    Lunch venues generally close between 2PM and 3PM, and kitchens may close earlier. Breakfast and lunch usually do not need bookings.

  • Dinner

    Book restaurants and hotel restaurants, usually a day ahead; even an empty table does not guarantee a meal without a booking. Dinner usually runs from 5:30PM to 8PM, and even mini-markets close after 9PM.

  • Club bistros

    Club bistros do not require bookings. They follow the same early dinner hours.

Money

Australian dollar (AUD)

  • Other currencies are difficult to use. Banks exchange money during business hours.
  • The island has one cash machine, at the Commonwealth Bank in Burnt Pine. Keep enough cash rather than waiting until you run out.
  • Almost all shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but some take cash only.
  • Burnt Pine has shops selling local crafts, clothes, shoes, toys and books.

Typical costs

  • Rental car: $85–$100 a day.
  • Rental scooter: $50 a day.
  • A meal for one with a soft drink: budget under $12, mid-range $12–$25, and higher-priced meals $30 or more.
  • A standard double room: budget under $140, mid-range $140–$200, and higher-priced rooms $200 or more.
  • Norfolk Telecom internet access: $10 for 1 gigabyte of data.

Language

  • English is the main official language and is spoken by all islanders.
  • Islanders also speak Norfuk, or Norf'k, among themselves. It developed from English and Tahitian and is not easily understood by English speakers.

Staying safe

  • Crime is very low, but theft can happen. Use common sense about leaving houses or cars unlocked.
  • Swim at Emily Bay or Slaughter Bay in Kingston, which are protected by a coral reef.
  • Other bays are not patrolled and have unpredictable conditions.
  • Watch for sudden increases in wave height, locally called the 'Seventh Wave'. These waves can sweep swimmers out to sea.

Local customs

Do

  • Return the 'Norfolk Wave', the local greeting given to passing drivers and pedestrians.
  • Treat convict ruins and historic objects with care.

Don't

  • Do not climb on or touch convict ruins and historic objects.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink.
  • Bottled and filtered water are also available; Two Drips is a local bottled-water brand.
  • Weather can change unexpectedly, with short downpours. Average daytime temperatures are around 24°C in summer and 19°C in winter.

Phone and internet

  • A local phone connection is useful for booking restaurants and tours. Calls are a common way to communicate on the island.
  • Norfolk Island Data Services offers cards for mobile phones and portable mobile internet devices for short stays.
  • Australian mobile networks are not present, and roaming usually does not work.
  • Local phone numbers have five digits. Numbers beginning with 5 are mobile numbers.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation ranges from basic rooms for one or two people to resorts with restaurants.
  • Guesthouses in Burnt Pine put you close to shops.
  • Accommodation elsewhere often focuses on views and access to nature.
  • Check whether a rental car is included when booking accommodation or a package.

Outdoor adventures in Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island has tropical reefs, coastal views and a mild climate. Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay in Kingston are its only safe swimming locations, protected by a natural coral reef. Weather can change quickly, with short downpours.

  • Emily Bay

    BeacheKingston

    Visit Emily Bay in Kingston for swimming and views towards Lone Pine.

    • A natural coral reef protects the bay.
    • Watch for sudden increases in wave height that can sweep swimmers out to sea.

  • Slaughter Bay

    BeacheKingston

    Visit Slaughter Bay in Kingston for swimming.

    • A natural coral reef protects the bay.
    • Watch for sudden increases in wave height that can sweep swimmers out to sea.

Airports, metros and trains in Norfolk Island

Airports with scheduled flights

  • NLKNorfolk Island International AirportBurnt Pine

People and safety in Norfolk Island

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Legal gender change is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 0 of 3 countries can visit Norfolk Island easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • eVisa1
  • Visa required2

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Asia0 of 2 countries
  • Europe0 of 1 countries

Questions

Is Norfolk Island part of Australia?

Norfolk Island is a territory linked to Australia, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit Australia.

Does a Australia visa let me visit Norfolk Island?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for Australia may not cover Norfolk Island. Check the Norfolk Island visa page for your passport.

How can I get to Norfolk Island?

Direct flights operate from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. Some cruise ships also visit, but there is no regular passenger ferry.

Do I need to rent a car?

Most independent visitors do because there is no public transport. Hills and distances make walking between attractions difficult for most people.

Can I pay by card?

Almost all shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but some take cash only. The island uses Australian dollars and has one cash machine in Burnt Pine.

Do I need to book dinner?

Yes, restaurants and hotel restaurants require bookings, usually a day ahead. Club bistros do not require bookings, but dinner hours are still early.

Where can I swim safely?

Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay in Kingston are the only locations described as safe for swimming. Other bays are not patrolled and have unpredictable conditions.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes, tap water is safe to drink. Bottled and filtered water are also available.

Will my Australian mobile phone service work?

Australian networks are not present, and roaming usually does not work. Telstra customers with compatible phones can use calls and text messages over stable wireless internet.

What is the weather like?

The climate is mild, with average daytime temperatures around 24°C in summer and 19°C in winter. Short downpours can happen unexpectedly.

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