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Introduction -

Located 780 km (485 miles) north-east of Sydney, the magical island of Lord Howe is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets.

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Introduction -

At just 11 km (9 miles) long and 2 km (1.25 miles) wide, the tiny island is home to only 350 permanent residents. Moreover, the number of visitors is capped at 400 at any on time.

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Introduction -

With sprawling white beaches and rare endemic fauna, the island is a haven of natural beauty. However, it’s the fervor with which the inhabitants of Lord Howe protect the island that really makes it special.

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History -

Henry Lidgbird Ball, who was traveling from Botany Bay to Norfolk Island, came across Lord Howe Island in 1788.

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History -

On the return journey he sent a party ashore on Lord Howe Island to claim it as British territory. It then became a provisioning port for the whaling industry before European settlers arrived in the 1830s.

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History -

When the whaling industry declined in the 1880s, the focus shifted towards the export of kentia palms. This remains a key component of the island’s economy to this day.

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History -

Also essential to the island’s economy is tourism, which hit properly after the Second World War ended in 1945. The immaculate condition of the island have always been its main selling point.

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History -

In 1982, Lord Howe Island was named a World Heritage Site in recognition of its beauty and biodiversity. Residents work hard to keep their home in the same condition that earned it that status.

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Biodiversity -

There are 14 seabird species based on Lord Howe Island. It is the only known breeding ground of the Providence petrel. The Lord Howe woodhen (pictured) has also been saved from near extinction.

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Biodiversity -

The island is bordered by the world’s southernmost coral reef and is home to 500 species of fish and 90 species of coral.

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Biodiversity -

When he visited in 1997, Sir David Attenborough described Lord Howe Island as "...so extraordinary it is almost unbelievable... few islands, surely, can be so accessible, so remarkable, yet so unspoilt."

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Environmental protection -

Residents of Lord Howe have been concerned with protecting their home since the 1980s, long before the dangers of over tourism were widely considered.

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Environmental protection -

Amidst concerns, in 1981 the elected Lord Howe Island Board took the long-lasting decision to limit the number of visitors to 400 at any one time.

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Environmental protection -

The island also has very strict environmental policies and regulations. The ownership of cars is limited to those residents who really need them, and air conditioning is forbidden.

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Environmental protection -

The Lord Howe Island Board must be consulted before the decision is taken to cut down a tree or paint a house.

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Environmental protection -

Recycling on the island is a well-oiled machine: organic waste is pumped into a vertical composting unit that converts a whopping 86% of the island’s waste into compost.

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Environmental protection -

Recyclable packaging materials such as plastic and aluminium are shipped off the island and sold to offset costs. Non-recyclables are disposed of on the mainland.

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Things to do -

Visitors to Lord Howe Island will not be short of things to do, despite the island’s limited size. The variation in landscape means that there are at least a dozen outdoor activities to enjoy.

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Things to do -

Bikes are free and readily available, meaning it’s more than easy for tourists to take a bike ride into the tiny tropical township, or head into the mountains for a more challenging ride.

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Things to do -

Water sports are also a big thing on the island, where it is possible to surf as well as kayak. A popular pastime is paddling out to Rabbit Island to enjoy a picnic or lounge in the sun.

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Things to do -

Then there’s the opportunity to enjoy the marine diversity that surrounds the island’s shores. Scuba gear is available for hire so visitors can mingle with the tropical fish.

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Things to do -

For the more ambitious islander, it's a great idea to hike up the 875 m (2,870 ft) Mount Gower. This is a full-day trip that will expose you to all sorts of weird and wonderful life forms.

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Things to do -

For those wishing for a break from the outdoor action, there’s the Lord Howe Island Museum, which covers local heritage, history, shipwrecks, and nature.

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Maintenance -

The island has been purged of certain animal species that were decimating endemic flora and fauna. Animals that have been eradicated include feral cats, goats, and pigs.

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Maintenance -

In 2019, the decision was taken to completely remove rats from the island. This was a controversial decision and one that gave rise to tensions amongst the island’s residents.

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Maintenance -

The island also makes considerable effort to eradicate noxious weeds. Its ambitious weed-eradication project manages to reduce infestations by an impressive 90%.

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Maintenance -

The Friends of Lord Howe Island project involves volunteers who come to the island and help to maintain it by extracting weeds or regenerating bushland.

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Maintenance -

Both locals and visitors also have the opportunity to work as citizen scientists alongside conservationists to protect the island’s biodiversity.

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Awards -

In 2018, the considerable efforts of Lord Howe Island were recognized when it was awarded the Gold Banksia, Australia’s top eco award.

See also: The world's most isolated islands and locations.

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