Lord Howe Island Expedition
- 4 daysDuration:
Lord Howe Island is not unlike Bora Bora in French Polynesia, with its crystal clear lagoon, towering mountains, stunning coral reef and swaying palm trees. Nature has endowed this beautiful island with a little bit of everything that is wonderful. The combination is near perfect. It is a paradise close to home, tranquil, safe and very comfortable.
Lord Howe Island is a precious gift from nature, a peaceful speck rising from the Pacific Ocean in unparalleled splendour. It is a destination that offers something special to all Australians, right on our doorstep, just two hours flight from the east coast of Australia. Our 4 day expedition offers wonderful possibilities. With this in mind, our itinerary is always dependent on a number of factors, weather certainly being one, and changes may be made to take advantage of opportunities nature may have in store for us.
Day 1
Boat Harbour – Muttonbird Point - Neds Beach
Arrive Lord Howe Island by QantasLink approx. 2.20pm. Enjoy the afternoon with a visit to the Lord Howe Island Historical Society Museum and view artifacts, photographs, documents and collections relating to the island's cultural heritage and natural history. Afterwards we walk to Little Island, approximately 3km flat walk from Capella Lodge to the base of Mt Gower, with opportunities of seeing the Lord Howe Island wood hen and provenance petrel. This evening whilst relaxing with drinks and canapés, Expedition Leader Ian Hutton will join us in the Kentia Lounge for an introductory talk on the island and the weekend of discovery ahead.
Day 2
Boat Harbour - Malabar Ridge - Ned's Beach
This morning we start our full day walk and go to the secluded pebbly beach of Boat Harbour. We encounter many unique plant species as we traverse tall rainforests and unusual prop-rooted groves of Pandanus. We enjoy a hikers lunch before heading off for the return walk via Muttonbird Point to observe the birds at their nesting burrows, and then on to Ned's Beach to enjoy drinks and canapés prepared by our chef on the BBQ. On dusk we experience the return of thousands of Shearwaters to the island after a day's fishing. (please note this walk is only offered between September and April, an alternative will be offered at other times).
Day 3
Option 1
Following breakfast, Islander Cruises will transport us from the shores of Lovers Bay across the lagoon to North Bay. We spend the day at this quintessential tropical paradise complete with swaying palm trees, a perfect sandy beach and excellent snorkeling from the boat. The bay is home to colonies of Noddy and Sooty Terns. Also the holoarctic waders such as the Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Pacific Golden Plover and Ruddy Turnstone can be spotted on the beach at low tide. We can then climb Mt Eliza to take in the spectacular views of the island looking south. After a great Aussie beach BBQ, our afternoon will include time for beachcombing, snorkeling and hiking to explore the nearby rocky cove called Old Gulch. The reef is rich in stunning coral gardens and diverse fish life, and is home to stingrays and turtles. From the boat, our dive guide will take us to explore some of the lagoon's remote and pristine underwater worlds.
Option 2
This morning we board the glass-bottom boat and travel to view a number of different reef environments within the sheltered lagoon. Warm currents from the Coral Sea to the north bring tropical fish species which mix with species from cooler southern waters, resulting in a very diverse range of marine life. There'll also be an opportunity to snorkel to really experience the submarine world. Following lunch at the Lodge, we spend the afternoon reef walking at Ned's Beach. This is another great way to explore marine life uncovered only at low tide, it also allows us to closely observe some of the island's unique shore line geology. We return to the lodge for farewell sunset drinks on Gower's Terrace, Ian's photo roundup of the days past and degustation dinner in the Restaurant.
Option 3: Group charter of 8-10 persons only. This option is highly weather dependent.
This morning we take to the high seas and circumnavigate Lord Howe onboard the island's premier ocean vessels, MV Greenback and MV Noctiluca. As well as viewing the main island from the boat, given favourable weather conditions we will travel 23 kilometres south east of Lord Howe to Ball's Pyramid. A spectacular sight from the water, the near vertical rock walls of the Pyramid tower 550 metres upward to a summit a mere four metres in width. Spend the afternoon snorkeling in the lagoon.
Day 4
Option 1
After breakfast take to the island's northern hills and climb Malabar Ridge. With stunning views over the island and out to the Admiralty Islets, the ridge has many fabulous vantage points. Return to Capella Lodge for a light lunch before afternoon flights departure at 2.40pm.
Option 2
After breakfast take an exhilarating walk up 400m, as high as it's possible to climb, up Mt Lidgbird to the Goat House. Here the views are breathtaking and well worth the walk. Return to Capella Lodge for a light lunch before afternoon flights departure at 2.40pm.
