Lord Howe Island: Volcanic Island, Lagoon and Wildlife

Lord Howe Island is a narrow volcanic strip of land and the remnant of a shield volcano that became extinct millions of years ago. The island’s northern and southern mountains are part of the Lord Howe Island Group World Heritage Area. Between the mountains, coast and lagoon, you’ll encounter a variety of landscapes—and discover the wildlife in different ways, too.

Lagoon and marine life

More than 500 fish species and over 90 coral species live in the waters around the island. At Ned’s Beach, you can observe corals, fish and other marine life close to shore. Visitors are also permitted to hand-feed fish in the beach’s Special Purpose Zone. The Lord Howe Island Marine Park is another destination for snorkelling.

There are several ways to explore the lagoon: Lord Howe Environmental Tours operates glass-bottom boats in the protected, crystal-clear waters. The Coral Viewing and Snorkelling Tour takes you through the diverse coral environment and introduces you to the endemic Double-header Wrasse, stingrays and turtles, among other marine life. Kayaks can be hired from local tour operators. The lagoon offers sheltered conditions for stand-up paddling, and boards are available from tour operators at Lagoon Beach.

Hiking and birdwatching

Dozens of well-signposted walking trails explore the island. The climb to 875-metre-high Mt Gower is considered one of the world’s best day hikes. Important to know when planning: visitors may only climb Mt Gower with a licensed guide. Another seasonal option is the Little Island Track, which can be walked between March and November to watch the courtship flights of the Providence Petrel.

The island’s birdlife extends well beyond this. Fourteen seabird species breed on the island, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. In total, there are more than 130 resident and migratory bird species. These include the endemic, flightless Lord Howe Island Woodhen, which was saved from extinction through local conservation efforts. You can focus your time on the island on hiking, birdwatching or marine life, depending on which nature experiences interest you most.

History and island life

The Lord Howe Island Museum showcases the World Heritage environment, community and history of the island, dating back to 1788. The James Dorman Historical Gallery features exhibitions on the island’s history, from its discovery and early settlement to shipping, the Kentia palm industry, flying boats, tourism and administration. The museum foyer is also home to the Lord Howe Island Visitor Centre, which provides information about activities, events and dining.

For exercise beyond the walking trails, there are 13 kilometres of scenic roads and tracks for cycling. The nine-hole Lord Howe Golf Course winds through a Kentia palm forest to the water’s edge. A public tennis court opposite Blue Lagoon is available to all island visitors, and visitors can play lawn bowls at the Lord Howe Island Bowling Club. These activities offer different ways to enjoy your time—from a round on the water or the trails to sports and island history.

Find the right accommodation for your stay

Discover more destinations: Coledale, La Perouse, Whian Whian, Wollomombi, Heatherbrae, Mt Victoria, Kosciuszko National Park, Tumut.

Return to the main travel overview: New South Wales.