FurryTiles

So excited about our next island adventure – Norfolk! Just received confirmation of our flight bookings, and now researching accommodation options for the first week in September 08.

Have re-read Oliverandharry’s detailed 2006 NI trip report (they were rebooked at Bounty Lodge, so not their first choice) but unfortunately ‘search’ doesn’t reveal any later TRs or reviews of NI.

Anyone been since '06? Any fodorite recommendations?

Cows have right-of-way in NI!
Jackie

prue

We were on Norfolk Island in April this year - we stayed at Governors Lodge which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Did most of the tours available as well as touring about in the car that came as part of the package.
We spent 5 days and would certainly recommend a visit there to anyone thinking of going.

FurryTiles

Hi Prue - thanks for your info!

Checked the apartments at the Governor's Lodge, and they looked very small/basic on the website pics. I'm assuming one unit is the width of the verandah, but on other websites it mentions 'stand-alone' cottages, which isn't clear on the pics. http://www.governorslodge.nf/Accommodation.htm
What was your experience?

Also, did you do any of the walking tracks in the National Park? Would love to attempt the one to the Captain Cook Monument.

Did you join one of the progressive dinners visiting islanders' homes?

Thanks,
Jackie

oliverandharry

Hi, Jackie,
The other person I know who went to Norfolk is ElizabethS, from Toronto, but I don't know if she is still reading the Australia board. If you search on her name she wrote a fabulous report on her three month trip through Aus and NZ, and would have listed her Norfolk accomodation as well. The other thing you could do is contact either Rebecca Christian (yes, as in Fletcher) or Christan Ross at the Travel Centre in Norfolk who would help you.
We did do the progressive dinner with Pinetrees Tours and had a great time. Do not expect brilliant food, but the point of it is really to meet the islanders and see inside some of the wonderful homes.
How great that you are going to Norfolk! I'm reading your reports at the moment on Lord Howe, with hopes for next year!

oliverandharry

Here's the place in Liz' blog about Norfolk - only she doesnt' name where they stayed! Acck.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2.../03/index.html

prue

The units at Governors Lodge are actually quite large - the lounge area is the width of the verandah and then there is good sized bedroom with built ins along one wall. The bathroom is also decent sized, and there is a basin, cupboard area in the living room.
However, there are probably different sized units and ours would have been in the higher bracket.
We did walk part of the walk to Cooks Monument but not all, however many people we spoke to had done it, and many of the other walks that are available.
We also enjoyed the Progressive Dinner - I am still amazed that anyone would contemplate having myriads of strangers visiting their homes several times a week - especially since at least two of the ones we visited had very young families!

prue

I have just remembered that in fact our unit was a Standard size as most were - with just a few that included a Spa being more expensive.

FurryTiles

Thanks for the extra info, Prue! Yes, see that Governor’s Lodge has over 50 units, restaurant and pool – so quite a large resort complex. Looks lovely on the website pics ... but we prefer smaller, self-contained lodgings with full kitchen (love to cook with local produce), so checking all the cottages now.

Will definitely be booking a progressive dinner for one of our nights, it sounds unique – meeting the locals more so than the food – and memorable.

We love to walk, so looking forward to experiencing the National Park tracks, have already printed the map with distances. Quite often don’t achieve the full circuit when the sciatica gods mumble, but always enjoy the bits I do manage ... with DH as my ‘bearer’ carrying the backpack and sometimes me

FurryTiles

Hi Oliverandharry, what a co-incidence that you’re reading my LHI trip report at the same time I’m re-reading your NI report! And neither can complain about lack of details – both reports are almost as long as the respective islands themselves!

You will love Lord Howe! Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any queries.

Have been totally engrossed in Liz and Richard’s wonderful blog with all the amazing pics, thanks so much for the updated link.

FurryTiles

In my whirl of browsing NI accommodation, I’ve disremembered to explain the si yorlye morla part of the thread subject for those not familiar with NI.

Although the official NI language is English, islanders also speak Norfolk, a blend of English spoken by the Bounty mutineers and the Tahitian spoken by their wives. So fascinating, especially as a linguistics student of yonks ago – so ....

si yorlye morla = see you tomorrow
watawieh yorlye? = how are you?
kushu or cushoo = good

Am hoping I can pick up a copy of Speak Norfolk Today by Alice Inez Buffett at the island’s bookshop. And I can’t wait to hear it spoken!

Back to cottage hunting ...think I've found the perfect one, fingers Xd it's available.

oliverandharry

As an aside, remember that most of Norfolk's population are descendants of the 9 original Bounty families, and immigration and purchase of property is VERY tightly controlled. As there is not really a lot of commercial employment beyond the travel industry and the basic infrastructure, most people have 2 or three part time jobs. One of those jobs is hosting the progressive dinners. We came away thinking that there is also some sort of barter system that exists to help manage costs. Police, fire, teachers and doctors are imported from Australia on a three year contract, and they MUST go home. Children are sent to the mainland to live with relatives and attend higher education. It's a really interesting economic structure to observe - look forward to your thoughts, Jackie.

FurryTiles

Yes, it’s a unique situation – Norfolk Island is still part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but in 1979 became autonomous with its own Legislative Assembly, hence its own laws and regulations inter alia regarding entry and length of stay. So, we need to travel with our Aussie passports, pay $30 for entry visa on arrival, and show return tickets and confirmed accommodation before NI Immigration will approve our entry. Customs are very strict as well regarding food, and since last year all flights to/from the island follow the international security rules regarding liquids and gels.

Norfolk refused to apply the highly-contentious Oz GST tax imposed on us suffering ‘mainlanders’ about ten years ago – until quite recently, although I imagine the tax is to top-up NI coffers.

Also read that car seatbelt wearing is – although recommended - not compulsory and the pics I’ve seen of cycling tourists are all bareheaded, so presumably the Oz bike helmet law has been given the same treatment.

In retaliation – Oz Medicare excludes NI from coverage. So many of the info sites I’ve visited urge travellers’ insurance to cover both health aspects as well as cancellation of flights – if there’s only one flight a week, the whole holiday could be void and as most lodgings require full payment 30 days prior to arrival, and don’t refund or change reservations.

The island’s permanent population is around 2,000 – of which approx one-third are Pitcairn descendents, one-third from Oz and one-third from NZ. What I found fascinating is that of the 194 Pitcairners arriving in 1856, two families (16 in all) returned to Pitcairn in 1858, and a further 27 returned to Pitcairn in 1863. Seems all was not well in paradise!

So thrilled, success on the cottage of choice – it was available, been booked and because it’s only 30 days until we depart, fully paid for!

Now off to google travel insurance, he he

And btw, travel insurance is also strongly recommended for Lord Howe for the same reasons. Although we always have insurance for our o/s trips, it didn't occur to us for a trip within our own state (NSW) and we almost missed out on the entire adventure and all the costs involved due to a very tardy taxi.

FurryTiles

All now finalised – our cottage overlooks the hills and valleys of Cascade, a stand-alone island-style building incorporating the lovely Norfolk pine, and several delightful outside areas … a fernery for barbeques, a patio for breakfast, and a balcony for sunset drinks! Set in a cottage garden with roses and lavender, it’s aptly called Lavendula Cottage! I’ve incorporated the pics from several websites with a map of its location on one page http://tinyurl.com/5vv8hu. Rates include hire car (but not petrol/insurance), bottle of wine, fresh eggs and local fruit on arrival.



Insurance was also organised online – through NRMA of which we are long time members, but it’s still expensive compared to other domestic destinations, as the insurance company has separate – more costly – rates for Pacific Islands, and NI, even tho’ technically part of Australia, is categorised as ‘overseas travel’.

And now just four weeks before our adventure – can’t wait!

Elizabeth_S

FurryTiles - sorry I hadn't seen this until today - we LOVED Norfolk as you can probably tell (and thanks once again to oliverandharry for posting their trip report which got us interested in the first place)

We stayed very near Lavendula Cottage at Cascade Garden Apartments which was a lovely very reasonably priced one bedroom self catering apartment (one of about 7). I'll put the link here for others who might be looking

http://www.cascadegarden.nf/

In 2007 we paid $225/per person AUD for 4 nights accommodation, 4 day rental car, a museum pass and a 1/2 day tour

I had looked at Lavendula Cottage but I think it was booked (or over my budget - one of those!)

Have a great time - happy to answer any questions you may have!

FurryTiles

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for those details and the marvellous pics!

I too remember reading Oliverandharry’s wonderful Norfolk tr when we were planning our Lord Howe holiday, and mentally putting Norfolk to the top of the future holiday list ... and voila, we’re off next month

Lucky us, we’re staying for a full week, and could snag Lavendula on the tail end of their winter special at $154 per double per night (normal price $180 – 7 for the price of 6) but still quite a bit more compared to Cascade Gardens currently listed as $115 pdpn. But we’re so looking forward to relaxing/reading/cooking and nanna-napping as well as exploring, so all the facilities of Lavendula were the perfect magnet.

(For others who might be looking, I’ll also include the direct link to Lavendula https://www.gobookings.com/acn/c/facilities.asp ) As a further price comparison, the 1-brm units at Governor’s Lodge are currently listed at $230 pdpn.)

Am sure we’ll love it – will think of you as we pass by Cascade Gardens and check the ripeness of the peppers for you, lol

Elizabeth_S

Please check out the roof signs as well - we'll need to update our gallery if there is a new one!

Look forward to your TR

prue

Just a note that when we stayed at Governers Lodge in April our cost included Breakfast each day and several dinners.