Travel Information

Accommodation

Norfolk Island has a wide range of accommodation, ranging from hotels, self-contained units and spacious apartments, luxury cottages or villas and holiday homes. Wherever you choose to stay you will have either an amazing ocean, valley or garden view. Norfolk Island accommodation ranges from 3 to 5 star, and most include a hire car.

Banks

The currency is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth bank is located in the town centre, open Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are accepted. There is one ATM available at the Commonwealth Bank or you can withdraw cash from Australia Post (located in P & R Groceries on Taylors Road.

Climate

The climate is subtropical with temperatures ranging from 19-28° in Summer and 12-21° in Winter. The water temperature ranges from 19-22° seasonally.

Clothing

Clothing is comfortable and casual all year round. Warmer clothes are recommended for evenings and during the winter months. Remember your hat and sunscreen in the warmer months and a torch for evening walks.

Communications

A local mobile phone service is available when you purchase a local sim card. Global roaming is available for some of the larger phone carriers. Internet WiFi cards are available for purchase for use at hot spot areas around the island. The local paper is published every Saturday, Radio Norfolk (89.9 FM) can be heard daily, & the island receives all Australian digital TV channels.

Cruise Ships

Cruise ships occasionally do call into Norfolk Island. As there is no harbour, passengers are ferried ashore on a tender or inflatable zodiacs (depending on the ship) Coming ashore is dependent on the sea and weather conditions.

Customs & Entry Requirements

Visitors travelling from Australia - require photo identification with a passport being the preferred means of documentation.

Visitors travelling from New Zealand - require a passport as identification.

If you are not an Australian or Zealand passport holder you may require an Australian Visitor Visa. Please contact the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

For more information: Domestic travel between Norfolk Island and mainland Australia.

Time

In October 2019, Norfolk Island will join New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT in observing Australian Daylight Saving Time. Each year, from the first Sunday in October, clocks on Norfolk Island will need to be moved forward one hour and then back one hour on the first Sunday in April.

Flights

Please note that flights to Norfolk Island depart from the International terminals; if you are connecting from a domestic flight please ensure you allow sufficient time between each flight. We suggest a min. 2 1/2 hours.

Qantas operates from Sydney International Friday, Sunday and Monday, and Brisbane International Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.
(Schedules are subject to change)

Air Chathams operates from Auckland International every Friday.

Transport

A hire car is required to get around, or you can hire pushbikes. Ask at the Visitor Information Centre about the local Uber service. Livestock roam freely on the roads and have the right of way. General speed limit is 50 km/hr, reduced to 40 km/hr in the town centre. All drivers acknowledge passing vehicles, this is called the 'Norfolk wave' and visitors are encouraged to also wave!

Norf'k Language

The main language is English, but you will often hear the Islanders speaking the local language which is a mix of Tahitian and Old English, inherited from the Bounty descendants.

Watawieh? - How are you?
Ai guud - I'm fine
Thaenks f ucklun - Thanks for us
Si yorlyi morla - See you tomorrow
Fut nort - Why not?
Said yu gwen? - Where are you going?
Gwen naawi - Going for a swim
Morla el du - Tomorrow will do
Wettles - Food

Markets

The Farmers markets are on every Saturday morning from 7.30 am - 10.00 am.
The Island Arts and Craft markets are on every Sunday morning from 8.30 am - 11.00 am.
Both markets are located in the Bicentennial Complex near the Visitors Information Centre.

Medical

Australian Medicare applies to Norfolk Island and includes emergency medical evacuation transfers to Australia. Visitors who do not have an Australian Medicare card are highly advised to have private travel insurance. If you are on medication, please ensure you bring sufficient supply for the duration of your holiday and please pack into your carry-on luggage.

Postage

Australia Post provide services on Norfolk Island. The Post Office location is at P&R Groceries on the corner of Taylor's road and Ferny Lane.

Biosecurity

From 1 July 2016 The Biosecurity Act 2015 applies to movements onto Norfolk Island and biosecurity import conditions will apply to all goods arriving onto Norfolk Island. Vegetables, fruits, plants and seeds are prohibited imports, to keep the island free of introduced disease. Pork and poultry importation from New Zealand is strictly prohibited. You must declare certain food, plant material (including wooden articles) and animal products on your incoming passenger card. Ask a Biosecurity officer on arrival if unsure or EMAIL for further assistance.

Shopping

The town centre is located in Burnt Pine on Taylor's Road, offering GST free and Duty free products. Some shops stock imported goods that may not be readily available in Australia or New Zealand. You can also purchase locally created souvenir items. As well as cafes, the shops are all within an easy stroll of each other. Normal shopping hours are 9.00 am - 5.00 pm. Most shops close all day Sundays, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Supermarkets are open 7 days a week. Most shops and eating out places do close on Public Holidays.

Special Needs

Some accommodation places provide rooms with facilities for less mobile holidaymakers. There are also tourist attractions and activities which are user-friendly. Contact the Visitors Information Centre for further information.

Visitor Information Centre

Located in the Bicentennial Complex on Taylors Road, the Centre is open 7 days a week from 8.30 am. Call in and see the friendly staff who can arrange all your holiday requirements. Bring in your passport for a souvenir stamp!


The Norfolk Island A - Z GUIDE  has been compiled to help you to understand and enjoy the island, just as the locals understand and enjoy Norfolk.