Norfolk Island Best Of: 7 Days Heritage Nature & Bounty Stories

Tour Overview

Discover the unique heritage and natural beauty of Norfolk Island on this 7-day journey, from the historic Kingston and Arthur’s Vale area (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the best-preserved convict settlements in Australia) to the fascinating Bounty history (the descendants of the Bounty mutineers settled on Norfolk Island), the beautiful Norfolk Island National Park, the stunning beaches, and the unique Norfolk Island culture. Norfolk Island, a small Australian external territory in the South Pacific, is a beautiful island with a unique history, stunning natural beauty, and a warm and welcoming community.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Norfolk Island & Kingston

Arrive at Norfolk Island Airport (Norfolk Island). Transfer to your hotel or cottage. Explore Kingston, the historic capital of Norfolk Island, located on the beautiful Kingston Common, with its stunning historic buildings, its beautiful waterfront, and the nearby Arthur’s Vale. Kingston and Arthur’s Vale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of the Australian Convict Sites), one of the best-preserved convict settlements in Australia, with its stunning Georgian buildings, its historic ruins, its beautiful setting, and its fascinating history as a penal colony (Norfolk Island was used as a penal colony by the British from 1788 to 1814 and again from 1825 to 1855, and was known as one of the harshest penal colonies in the British Empire). Visit the Kingston Common (the beautiful common area in front of Kingston, with its stunning views of the ocean, the historic buildings, and the nearby pier). Visit the Kingston Pier (a beautiful historic stone pier, one of the iconic landmarks of Norfolk Island, with its stunning views of the ocean and the nearby islands). Visit the various historic Georgian buildings in Kingston including the Commissariat Store (now housing the Norfolk Island Museum), the King’s Arms Tavern, the various military barracks, the officers’ quarters, and the various other historic buildings. Visit the Quality Row (a beautiful row of historic Georgian houses, once the officers’ quarters, now some of the most beautiful historic houses on the island). Visit the Norfolk Island Museum (housed in the Commissariat Store, with its excellent exhibits on the history of Norfolk Island, including the Polynesian settlement, the convict period, the Bounty settlement, and the modern era). Visit the nearby Emily Bay (a beautiful sheltered lagoon with its crystal-clear turquoise water, its beautiful white sand beach, and the stunning views of the nearby islands, one of the most beautiful beaches on Norfolk Island, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing). Evening welcome dinner with Norfolk Island cuisine including fresh seafood, local beef, tropical fruits, and the famous local dishes. Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 2: Convict History & Kingston & Arthur’s Vale

Full day exploring the convict history of Norfolk Island and the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the various historic sites and ruins: visit the New Gaol (the ruins of the new prison built in the 1840s, with its massive stone walls and the various cells, a stark reminder of the harsh penal colony), the Old Gaol (the ruins of the older prison), the Prisoner’s Barracks (the ruins of the barracks where the convicts were housed), the Hospital (the ruins of the convict hospital), the Windmill (the ruins of the historic windmill used to grind grain), the Watermill (the ruins of the watermill), the various other ruins and historic sites. Visit the Cemetery (the historic cemetery with its graves of convicts, soldiers, and settlers, with its beautiful old headstones and the fascinating inscriptions telling the stories of the people who lived and died on Norfolk Island during the convict period). Visit the Cascade Bay area (the site of the second settlement, with its historic ruins and the beautiful scenery). Visit the various other historic sites around Kingston and Arthur’s Vale. After lunch, visit the Norfolk Island Museum and the various other museums on the island, including the Sirius Museum (dedicated to the history of HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet, which was wrecked on Norfolk Island in 1790) and the various other exhibits. Visit the nearby Bounty Street and the various sites related to the Bounty settlement. Visit the nearby hills for stunning views of Kingston, the ocean, and the surrounding area. Evening dinner with Norfolk Island cuisine and local wines. Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 3: Bounty History & Pitcairn Settlement

Full day exploring the fascinating Bounty history of Norfolk Island. In 1856, the entire population of Pitcairn Island (the descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives, who had settled on Pitcairn Island after the famous mutiny on the Bounty in 1789) was relocated to Norfolk Island, as Pitcairn Island had become too small for their growing population. The descendants of the Bounty mutineers still live on Norfolk Island today, and their unique culture and history are an important part of the island’s identity. Visit the various sites related to the Bounty settlement: visit the Bounty Street and the various historic houses and sites related to the Pitcairn settlers. Visit the Norfolk Island Museum for its exhibits on the Bounty history and the Pitcairn settlement. Visit the Cemetery to see the graves of the Bounty descendants and the Pitcairn settlers. Visit the various other sites related to the Bounty history. After lunch, visit the Norfolk Island National Park (a beautiful national park covering the northern part of the island, with its lush forests, its beautiful hiking trails, its stunning views, and its unique flora and fauna, including the famous Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), a beautiful pine tree endemic to Norfolk Island, and the various other unique plants and animals). Hike to the summit of Mount Pitt (the highest point on Norfolk Island, at 318 meters, with stunning panoramic views of the entire island, the ocean, and the nearby islands including Phillip Island and Nepean Island). Visit the Mount Pitt lookout and enjoy the stunning views. Visit the various hiking trails in the national park, including the trails to the various lookouts and the beautiful forests. Visit the Bird Rock (a beautiful rock formation off the coast, with its large colony of seabirds, including the famous red-tailed tropicbird and the various other seabird species). Visit the various other natural sites in the national park. Evening dinner with Norfolk Island cuisine. Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 4: Beaches, Snorkeling & Coastal Scenery

Full day enjoying the beautiful beaches and coastal scenery of Norfolk Island. Visit Emily Bay (a beautiful sheltered lagoon with its crystal-clear turquoise water, its beautiful white sand beach, and the stunning views of the nearby islands, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing). Go snorkeling in the beautiful lagoon, which is teeming with marine life including tropical fish, coral, and various other species. Visit the nearby Slaughter Bay (a beautiful bay with its historic significance, the site where HMS Sirius was wrecked in 1790, with the wreck still visible underwater). Visit the nearby Cemetery Bay and the various other beautiful bays and beaches around the island. Visit the beautiful coastal scenery including the various cliffs, coves, and rock formations around the island. Visit the Point Hunter and the various other coastal lookouts with stunning views of the ocean and the nearby islands. After lunch, visit the nearby Phillip Island (a small uninhabited island just off the coast of Norfolk Island, with its stunning scenery, its unique flora and fauna, and its beautiful hiking trails, accessible by boat or kayak). Take a boat trip to Phillip Island and enjoy the beautiful scenery, the unique wildlife (including the various seabird species and the endemic Phillip Island skink), and the beautiful hiking trails. Visit the nearby Nepean Island (another small uninhabited island just off the coast, with its beautiful scenery and wildlife). Visit the various other beautiful spots around the coast. Evening enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Dinner with fresh seafood and local cuisine. Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 5: Local Culture, Food & Crafts

Full day experiencing the local culture, food, and crafts of Norfolk Island. Visit the local markets (the Norfolk Island markets, held regularly, with their fresh local produce, crafts, baked goods, and local products). Visit the various craft shops and studios on the island, where local artisans create beautiful crafts including weaving, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and art, using local materials and traditional techniques. Visit a local farm and learn about the local agriculture (Norfolk Island is famous for its local beef, its fresh produce, its coffee, and its various other local products). Visit a local coffee plantation and enjoy a coffee tasting of the locally grown coffee. Visit a local winery (if available) and enjoy a wine tasting. After lunch, visit the various historic houses and gardens on the island, including the beautiful Georgian houses with their stunning gardens, and the various other historic properties. Visit the Norfolk Island Botanical Gardens (a beautiful botanical garden with its collection of native and exotic plants, including the famous Norfolk Island pine and the various other unique plants). Visit the various other cultural sites and museums. Visit a local restaurant and enjoy a traditional Norfolk Island meal, including the famous local dishes and the fresh local produce. Evening enjoy a traditional cultural evening with local music, dance, and food, experiencing the unique Norfolk Island culture (which is a blend of English, Tahitian, and Australian influences, with the descendants of the Bounty mutineers maintaining their unique traditions and language (Norf’k, a creole language derived from 18th-century English and Tahitian)). Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 6: Nature Walks & Birdwatching

Full day enjoying the nature walks and birdwatching on Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is a paradise for birdwatchers, with its unique bird species including the endemic Norfolk Island parakeet, the Norfolk Island gerygone, the slender-billed white-eye, the sacred kingfisher, and the various seabird species including the red-tailed tropicbird, the masked booby, the sooty tern, and the various other species. Visit the Norfolk Island National Park for birdwatching, with its various hiking trails and the beautiful forests. Visit the Bird Rock and the various other seabird colonies around the island. Visit the various nature reserves and protected areas. After lunch, visit the various other natural sites on the island, including the beautiful waterfalls (if any), the lush forests, and the various other natural attractions. Visit the nearby hills and lookouts for stunning views of the island and the ocean. Visit the various other beautiful spots on the island. Evening farewell dinner with Norfolk Island cuisine and local wines, reflecting on the incredible experiences of the 7-day Norfolk Island heritage and nature journey. Overnight in Norfolk Island.

Day 7: Norfolk Island & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Norfolk Island or shopping for local products including crafts, coffee, local food products, and souvenirs. Visit the local markets or the craft shops for final souvenirs. Visit the beautiful Emily Bay for a final swim or walk. Visit the various historic sites for a final look. After breakfast, transfer to Norfolk Island Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 7-day Norfolk Island journey of heritage, nature, and Bounty stories.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses