12 Epic Things To Do On Lord Howe Island + How To Plan Your Visit
Lord Howe Island is a true island paradise.
It’s known for its world-class snorkelling and hiking, but did you know there’s a cap on visitor numbers? Only 400 tourists are allowed at any given time to protect the fragile ecosystem.
Thankfully, this means you’ll never battle any crowds! Although you will have to book everything well in advance.
You’ll find epic hiking trails like the famous Mount Gower trek and loads of stunning beaches where you can swim with turtles.
But truth be told, it doesn’t come cheap. You can only fly there, and with no camping allowed, accommodation and eating out can get a bit pricey… but it’s worth every cent!
Visiting this place requires a bit of planning, which is why we created this guide – we’ve been there a few times and can’t get enough!
This guide has all the best things to do on Lord Howe Island, where to stay, where to eat, and all you need to know to plan your visit to this paradise on Earth.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
But first… travel essentials for Lord Howe Island
12 things to do on Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is the ONLY place in Australia without:
Stingers,
Crocodiles,
Stonefish,
Venomous spiders,
Dangerous sharks (only Galapagos sharks, which are not aggressive),
Or snakes (walk without fear in that long grass).
So the BEST thing to do is celebrate that you can hike and swim without worry! Apart from that, here are the best things to do on the island:
1) Ned’s Beach
This is arguably the most popular spot on Lord Howe Island, as you’ll meet the friendliest fish ever!
You walk into the water and the fish swarm around you like they’ve been waiting all day for you to show up. Grab a bag of fish food (do not feed them anything else) and let them come to you!
It’s a top spot for snorkelling too, with coral and heaps of marine life just a few metres offshore. The snorkelling gear rental is on the beach, and it’s super easy to grab and go.
2) Mount Gower Hike
This hike is a full-on adventure! It’s a 14 km, 8-hour hike that takes you from the sea level to the top of Mt Gower, standing at 875 metres above the ocean.
It’s one of the best day hikes in the world, but it’s not for the faint-hearted – there are some steep climbs and you’ll even have to use hiker grab ropes to move around!
The views are absolutely epic and worth every step (or so I was told, my fear of heights keeps me well away from those activities).
The only way to climb it is with a tour, so book your spot as soon as possible as spaces fill up fast. Also try to do it early in your trip, as they cancel if the weather’s rough.
Check out Little Island, at the start of the track. It’s a rocky area famous for being the only known breeding colony of the Providence Petrel (March to October).
3) Balls Pyramid
Balls Pyramid is the world’s tallest sea stack, standing 551 metres above the ocean. But nothing prepares you for it and its massive, bare basalt peaks rising straight up out of the ocean.
You can’t climb Balls Pyramid, but you can take a boat trip and do scuba diving tours as well. The water is deep and full of marine life you won’t see anywhere else.
You feel so small in the tiny boat… it’s awe-inspiring. But the sea is quite choppy, so bring seasickness tablets.
We did this tour and can’t recommend the guys enough (doesn’t include diving, just sightseeing).
But I can’t stress this enough – book the tours early in your visit! Our boat tour got cancelled due to bad weather and was rescheduled 2 days later.
4) Old Settlement Beach
This is where you can swim with turtles right from the shore! Much like in Exmouth, Western Australia.
Sea turtles hang out there all the time and if you’re lucky, you can swim right alongside them! The snorkelling there is superb as well, the water is mostly calm and insanely clear.
5) Kim’s Lookout
This is one of the most popular hikes on the island and for good reason!
It’s a moderate, 7km hike that starts at Ned’s Beach and takes you to the top of Malabar Hill. The view on a clear day is mindblowing, as you’ll see the Admiralty Islets, Neds Beach and even Balls Pyramid.
Plus, Malabar is a prime spot for birdwatching – keep an eye out for masked boobies and other seabirds nesting on the cliffs!
Sunrise is magical from up here, but even if you go later in the day, it’s still worth every step.
6) Lagoon Beach
This is the spot for a lazy day by the water. The Lord Howe Lagoon is calm, clear, and perfect for swimming and snorkelling!
You can rent a kayak and paddle around, too. There’s even a little floating pontoon where you can chill and dive off into the lagoon.
The sunset there is something else, don’t miss it!
7) Mutton Bird Point
If you’re even slightly into birdwatching, don’t miss this place. Mutton Bird Point is home to a whole heap of seabirds, including its namesake, muttonbirds!
They live there by the hundreds. It’s incredible to watch them return from fishing at night, landing on the ground and looking for their nests in the ground.
But if you’re not into birdwatching, it’s still worth visiting just for the views and the nice hike to the lookout!
8) Blinky Beach
Surfers should head there straight away. It’s the best spot on the island for catching waves, but even if you’re not a surfer, the beach itself is just stunning.
It’s a long stretch of white sand with clear blue water, and it’s perfect for a long walk or just laying out in the sun. The beach is opposite to the airport, so prepare to do plane spotting!
9) Middle Beach
Middle Beach is a quiet and peaceful place, perfect for some snorkelling and swimming. It’s a bit hard to access as the climb down is steep, but this means there will be few people there.
There’s a bench at the top of the track where you can take in the view before heading down, it’s a great spot for photos!
10) Transit Hill
Hiking this is one of the first things we did after arriving on the island. The climb is easy and the lookout offers 360-degree views of the area!
You get a full sweep of the island, from the beaches to the mountains. It’s the best way to start your visit. Finish the walk at Blinky Beach for a perfect combo of hiking and beach time!
11) North Bay Beach
This is the north-western end of the island and it’s a bit off the beaten track – you can only get there by foot or boat, which makes it the very definition of “pristine.”
The snorkelling here is fantastic (turtles and stingrays included) and it’s epic for spotting seabirds. It’s quite secluded and there aren’t any facilities here, so pack everything you need for the day – water, picnic lunch, sunscreen, and the lot!
There’s a short walking track to Old Gulch, an excellent snorkelling spot but very rocky so bring adequate shoes.
There’s also a longer (and steeper) hike to Mount Eliza’s 147-metre summit, with amazing views along the north coast.
12) Lord Howe Island Museum
The museum might sound like a quiet stop, but it’s actually packed with interesting stuff about the island’s history, environment, and unique wildlife.
It’s a great way to learn more about this special place and why it’s so well-protected. Plus, there’s a café and WiFi if you’re looking for a little break.
When is the best time to visit Lord Howe Island?
The best time to visit Lord Howe Island is between September and June, when the temperatures are warmer and perfect for outdoor activities – hiking, snorkelling, etc.
Summer is the most popular season, so if you want to visit then, make sure to book everything well in advance.
Winter months (June to August) are colder, but days are often sunny.
How to get to Lord Howe Island
The only way to get to Lord Howe Island is by flying into Lord Howe Island Airport, which is located just a short drive from the main area of the island.
You can fly directly to Lord Howe from Sydney, the flight takes about two hours. We always recommend checking here for the best flight deals.
There are limited car rentals available, but honestly you don’t need a car to move around (plus there’s a speed limit of 25 kph).
Biking and walking are the main ways to get around the island. You can easily rent a bike from several places near the airport.
How many days to stay in Lord Howe Island?
Staying in Lord Howe Island for 5 to 7 days is the sweet spot.
It’s a small place, but there’s sooo much to do… A week will give you enough time to do most (if not all) of the things on this list.
But if you’re short on time (or money) even 3-4 days can work.
Best stays in Lord Howe Island
While camping is not allowed on Lord Howe Island, there are plenty of great accommodation options to choose from, whether you’re looking for budget-friendly lodgings or a luxurious retreat.
Best budget-friendly stay: Lorhiti Apartments offers self-contained accommodation set in tropical gardens, perfect for a peaceful getaway. It’s an 11-minute drive from the town centre and sleeps up to 2.
Best hotel: Beachcomber Lodge provides cosy, self-catering units surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for a relaxing stay. It’s a short 10-minute drive from the town centre and sleeps up to 4.
Best luxury: Arajilla Retreat features elegant suites in native forests, perfect for a calm and revitalizing getaway. It’s an 11-minute drive from the town centre and sleeps up to 4 guests.
If none of these fill your needs, go here to look for more accommodation options in Lord Howe Island!
Where to eat on Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island has a range of great dining options, each known for its quality and atmosphere. These five top-rated places offer some of the island’s best food experiences.
- The Anchorage ($$) is a waterfront restaurant with stunning views, fresh local seafood, and friendly service—one of the island’s top dining spots.
- Arajilla Retreat Dining ($$) – Located at Arajilla Retreat, this spot is known for its gourmet meals, beautiful views, and fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Coral Cafe ($$) serves delicious breakfast and lunch with hearty meals, lighter fare, and some Asian dishes. Its casual atmosphere and friendly service make it a popular, relaxed dining spot.
- Miss Saigon ($$) offers a vibrant dining experience with a menu featuring flavorful Vietnamese cuisine. Known for its fresh ingredients and authentic dishes.
- Driftwood Cafe ($$) is popular for its tasty coffee, satisfying meals, and friendly service. With a games room and relaxed vibe, it’s a great spot for a casual, enjoyable meal.
Top Tips
Flights to the island have a 14kg luggage limit due to the small planes, and they’re VERY strict about it.
They don’t hesitate to leave stuff behind, so pack only what you need and leave room for any souvenirs you might want to bring back.
The island limits the number of visitors, which is great for keeping things relaxed, but it also means popular activities like the Mount Gower hike and boat tours to Balls Pyramid fill up fast. Book ahead to avoid missing out.
On that note, the weather can change quickly – book any hikes or boat trips early on your trip to give room for rescheduling (our boat trip was postponed 2 days due to weather).
Did you know?
Unlike many parts of Australia, Lord Howe Island didn’t have any Aboriginal inhabitants when it was discovered by Europeans. It’s so remote and small that it was probably too isolated for humans to settle.
It was actually discovered by accident! Back in 1788, a British naval officer named Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball stumbled upon Lord Howe Island while sailing from Sydney to Norfolk Island.
It was completely uninhabited, and the island became a vital stopover for whaling and trading ships in the early years.
FAQs
Why is it so expensive to go to Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island is so expensive because they limit the number of visitors to keep the island pristine, which drives up costs for flights and accommodation.
Plus, everything has to be flown or shipped in, so you’re paying extra for the remoteness.
The bottom line
Lord Howe Island is an island paradise where you can relax and take in some of the best nature around.
Snorkel with the fish at Ned’s Beach, tackle the Mount Gower hike, or ride a bike around the island… There are heaps of activities for ocean lovers and those who just want to unwind.
Enjoy the sunsets, take things slow, and make the most of every moment. You won’t forget your time at Lord Howe Island!
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