Rising out of the sea off the New South Wales coast is
one of Australia’s tiniest treasures – the dreamy crescent shaped
Lord Howe Island.
Lord Howe is about 700 kms. north east of Sydney and the
same south east of Brisbane, all that remains of a volcanic eruption about
7 millions years ago. Just 11 kms long and under 3 kms at its widest point,
two thirds of its land mass is covered by rainforest and bushland. It
is the southernmost coral reef in the world, fed by warm currents from
the Great Barrier Reef creating an ideal environment for its unique flora,
fauna, bird and marine life.
A sanctuary of peace and serenity, it is an ideal destination
for those looking for a safe, relaxed holiday ‘break’ in a
pristine and totally unspoiled environment.
And there’s lots to do. Fishing – deep sea,
reef and beach – charters are available with gear provided. Lord
Howe is considered one of the best fishing destinations in the world.
You can swim or snorkel from sparkling white beaches, scuba dive, kayak,
hire a bike, feed the fish, play golf, tennis, bowls, take an Island tour
or a round the island cruise, walk the forests on guided or self-guided
tours, enjoy flora, fauna, bird watching and reef tours, brave the daunting
Mt. Gower on an all day rope-assisted climb. You can also do nothing at
all !
Lord Howe has amazingly prolific birdlife with some 130
permanent and migratory species including the once endangered and rare
Lord Howe Island Woodhen. The surrounding waters have been declared a
Marine Park, home to over 490 fish species. The coral is superb with over
80 species, 4% of which are unique to Lord Howe waters.
The Island has 16 accommodation properties ranging from
budget to upmarket. They include cottages, apartments, retreats, lodges,
resorts and there’s a choice of fine restaurants and cafes offering
a variety of contemporary cuisine.
Lord Howe Island is New South Wales’ only World Heritage
Island. It was officially inscribed in 1982 for its ‘rare collections
of plants, bird, marine life and exceptional natural beauty’ –
a precious and rare gem indeed. Both visitors and the
community are committed to the protection of its fragile and unique environment.
QantasLink has regular direct flights from
Sydney and Brisbane. There are also
direct flights from Coffs Harbour - mid September to mid December 2003.
Flying time for all services is under 2 hours. Connections
with Qantas regional, interstate and international flights. Holiday packages
are available year round through travel agents.
Enquiries, information, brochures on from the Visitor
Centre.
Email: lhi.visitorcentre@bigpond.com
Website www.lordhoweisland.info
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