Lord Howe Island Escape - Additional information

Lord Howe Island is one of only a handful of island groups on the UNESCO World Heritage list, inscribed for its biodiversity and spectacular landscape and is home to hundreds of beautiful and rare plants, birds and marine species. The island was created by a volcanic eruption seven million years ago. It boasts a number of unique natural experiences, including diving the world’s southernmost coral reef and visiting Balls Pyramid – the tallest sea stack in the world. Two-thirds of the island is covered in natural forests, Banyan trees and Kentia palms.

Lord Howe Island is only 11 kilometres long and less than 3 kilometres at its widest point. A paradise where only 400 visitors are allowed on the island at any one time and there are only 350 residents.

With fewer than 800 people on the island at any time, facilities are limited; they include a bakery, butcher, general store, liquor store, restaurants, post office, museum, and information centre, a police officer, a ranger, and an ATM at the bowling club. Stores are shipped to the island fortnightly by the Island Trader from Port Macquarie. The island has a small four-bed hospital and dispensary.

 

Currency
Australian Dollar. Credit cards accepted, limited ATM facilities. Take cash.

 

Weather and time
Spring temperatures will reach high teens during the day and low teens in the evening. Take a few warmer clothes for the evenings. 

In winter, Lord Howe Island is 30 minutes ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time.

 

What to pack

• Dress is casual, smart casual for evenings.
• Swimming costume, hat, and sun protection.
• Shoes for bush and reef walking, flip flops.
• Day pack for walks and beach trips.
• A small torch or headlamp for night-time visibility (there are very few street lights on the island).
• A raincoat and a windcheater are recommended owing to occasional showers and squalls that can occur at any time of the year.
• Pack required medication in your carry-on baggage for travel on Qantas Link.

The weight limit on Lord Howe flights is 14kg per person of checked baggage and 7kg of carry-on baggage. 

 

Phone /Wi-Fi service

There is no mobile phone service and Wi-fi is extremely limited. Many island holidaymakers are delighted to find that Lord Howe Island is beyond the reach of mobile phones. Public phones and internet connections are available at various locations on the island.

A local internet service provided by Thornleigh Farm is available in the CBD area – near the Community Hall, Post Office and Boat Sheds (fees apply). Further south, the Lord Howe Island Museum offers wireless internet services (fees apply).

There are also some hospitality establishments that offer free public internet access (daily limits may apply).
Lord Howe Island Museum
Anchorage Restaurant
The Crooked Post
The Golfy
Lord Howe Island Brewery

 

Getting Around

Very few cars are on the island. If you want to get around during your free time, you could hire a bike or walk.

 

Travel Insurance
It is mandatory for travellers to have comprehensive travel insurance; please ensure you have provided Sisterhood Womens Travel with a copy of your policy, including a 24/7 Emergency Contact Number. Even though you are still in Australia, 
 

 

WhatsApp Group
Please make sure you download WhatsApp onto your phone prior to departure. This App will be your communication tool whilst on tour and your tour hostess will contact you prior to departure to set you up in your tour WhatsApp group.  It’s also a lovely way to remain in touch with friends upon your return.

 

Changes to Itinerary
We do our best to give Sisters an enjoyable, trouble-free tour experience, but occasionally, even the best-laid plans can go awry.  We cannot rule out any changes to the itinerary and ask that you maintain a positive, upbeat and flexible attitude.

 

Updated: 13 June 2025