Norfolk IslandGeneral InformationAccommodationThere are over 60 properties on the island ranging from hotels and luxury cottages to self contained units and budget apartments. All visitors arriving on the Island must have prebooked accommodation or be staying with friends or relatives to be able to enter Norfolk Island through immigration.
ClimateSubtropical. Average rainfall 1328mm per year. Lovely summer days from 24 degrees but not exceeding 28.4 degrees, nights 19-21 degrees. Idylic days mid-winter, with temperatures ranging from 12 at night to 19-21 degrees during the day.
CommunicationsInternational Direct Dialing telephones, and facsimile services are available. Public IDD coin operated booths open 24 hours. Local calls free. Only Norfolk Island phone cards are accepted. Mobile phone service is available on Norfolk Island by purchasing a local sim card (this will not work if your mobile phone is 'locked' into a plan)Global roaming is due at the end of 2008. There are 2 internet cafes in Taylors Road. Radio Norfolk broadcasts daily FM89.9 and AM1566. There are 2 weekly local newspapers.
CurrencyThe unit of exchange is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have branches at Burnt Pine. The Commonwealth Bank has an ATM. Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted.
CustomsImports of fruit, vegetables, flowers and seeds are prohibited. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are also prohibited. As of 1 August 2008 the duty-free allowance for passengers over 18 years of age is 2.25 litres of alcohol and 250 grams of tobacco products. As from 31 March 2007 all flights to Norfolk Island are affected by the new global airport security rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels onto international flights. The changes affect everything you can take on board, the quantity and how it must be packaged. For further information visit
www.dotars.gov.auDeparture FeeAll departing travellers must pay a $40 Departure Fee,(as from 1 July 2009) payable at the airport on day of departure . Exemptions apply to those under 16 years and passengers in transit for less than 24 hours. To pay your departure fee you need to present your airline ticket or boarding pass and a completed departure card. Please note that plans are in place to include this departure fee in the airline ticket, date TBA.
DrivingThe general speed limit is 50km/hour, reduced to 40km/hour in the shopping centre. All livestock roaming the roads have the right of way. Driving is on the left hand side of the road and locals wave to all passing vehicles. This is called the "Norfolk wave" Visitors are encouraged to do the same.
Electricity240 volts AC, 50 cycles, three pin plug. As electricity is made locally by diesel generators, a power surge protection device is advised for electronic equipment, particularly computers.
Entry/Passport RequirementsAll visitors require a passport or Australian document of Identity that is valid for a period longer than their period of intended stay on NI, on onward/return airline ticket and proof of suitable accommodation on the island. Australian citizens can obtain a document of Identity from Australia Post, free of charge. Passports not issued by Australia or New Zealand must be valid for a period of at least 1 month beyond the intended stay in NI. All visitors require an Australian visa except for persons travelling on a current Australian or New Zealand passport or a persons holding a passport endorsed with a Permanent Resident of NI visa label. The required Australian visa must be valid for a period of 30 days beyond the period of intended stay on NI. If arrival to NI is via Australia, that visa must be a multiple entry visa.
Geographical LocationNorfolk Island is 1610kms ENE of Sydney, 1456kms ESE of Brisbane, 1063kms NNW of Auckland and 772kms SE of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a volcanic outcrop 8km long and 5km wide. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1km and 6km respectively. Norfolk Island is 3855ha.
LanguageThe language spoken on Norfolk Island is English, but you'll hear the Islanders speaking Norfolk, a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790.
PopulationNorfolk has approximately 2,000 citizens with roughly equal numbers of Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders.
Time DifferenceOne and a half hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time, in summertime half an hour ahead of Sydney and one and a half hours behind New Zealand. Norfolk Island does not have daylight saving.
TransportThere is no public transport but a taxi service is available. A rental car is the most practical way to get around the island. Car hire is from approx. $30 per day, with a daily insurance cost payable direct to the car company. Some accommodation properties include a hire car (insurance and petrol extra cost) Mountain bikes can also be hired.
*Information sourced from
Norfolk Islandother noteable websites to visit
Discover NorfolkpitcairnersTerritories of Australia - Norfolk Is.
Norfolk Island info
Aug 22 2009, 12:10 AM
i thought this part of the forum was looking rather empty so i decided to fix that lol
