Sisterhood Women's Travel

Tour Introduction

Lord Howe Island is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the world with its long Fiji-blue lagoon protected by the world's most southerly coral reef and two mountains that wouldn't look out of place in Tahiti. It's a barefoot kind of place, a place to get back to simple pleasures, and perfect for adventure travellers and nature lovers.

Highlights

Chase 'n' Thyme island tour hosted by a 5th-generation islander
Spectacular scenery - magnificent volcanic cliffs and spectacular mountain bases
North Bay Turtle tour including snorkelling opportunities *As featured on Channel 9's Getaway show*
Round island cruise - the World's most southernmost coral reef
Environmental walking tour with Lord Howe local Peter Phillips
Little Islands walking tour with Lord Howe local Peter Phillips
Environmental Glass-bottom boat cruise with the opportunity to snorkel at Erscott's Hole
Q&A Chat with Naturalist and Conservationist Ian Hutton
Visit to local Gin Distillery, Brewery and Nursery
Free time to explore at leisure
Free time to swim and snorkel at beautiful Ned's Beach
Free time to birdwatch
Free time to enjoy scenic walks
Friends for company!

Inclusions

Fully Escorted - Your Sisterhood Tour Hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return economy airfares ex Melbourne to Lord Howe Island (via Sydney) with Qantas Link including taxes and luggage (other departure cities available upon request)
All transportation throughout
All sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
All meals as detailed in the itinerary
6 nights accommodation - Leanda Lei Apartments
Willing to Share Option

Notice

Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness is required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our itinerary. You can expect to walk up to 10,000 steps per day on more challenging terrain for longer periods. You must be able to board and disembark boats unaided and, at times, handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings, please click here. Walking poles are recommended for any walking activity.

** Itinerary is subject to change **

Itinerary is subject to change due to airline schedules and weather-dependent activities - the order of this itinerary may change as a result.

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

For additional information on this trip, please CLICK HERE

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday 6 September 2026

Melbourne - Sydney - Lord Howe (D)

Meet your Sisterhood Tour Hostess at the Melbourne Airport for our flight to Lord Howe Island (via Sydney).

Upon our arrival in beautiful Lord Howe, we'll be transferred to our accommodation for the next 6 nights, hosted by Anthony and Judy from Leanda Lei Apartments.

Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)

Day 2 - Monday 7 September 2026

Lord Howe (B, D)

This morning, after our breakfast, we'll be split into 2 groups.

Group 1 - Enjoy a 'Chase n Thyme' Island Tour, a fun and informal bus tour of Lord Howe Islands with interesting nooks and crannies! Hosted by Peter & Janine Phillips. Janine is a fifth-generation Islander; her Great-grandfather was an American whaler, Nathan Chase Thompson, who settled on the Island in the 1850's. Peter has had a number of his photos and stories published, as well as writing a book on the island's history. You will learn more on a three-hour tour with these locals than if you spent a week searching things out by yourself.

Group 2 - Free morning

After lunch, Group 2 will do the 'Chase n Thyme Tour', and Group 1 will have a free afternoon.

Dinner tonight is included

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)

Day 3 - Tuesday 8 September 2026

Lord Howe (B, L, D)

We'll have a free morning today.

After lunch, we'll begin our North Bay Turtle Tour, a fantastic day out and about and an experience featured on Channel 9's Getaway show. View the fish and coral of the world's southernmost coral reef as we cruise slowly to beautiful North Bay. We'll drift over the wreck of the "Favourite" on our purpose-built glass-bottom vessel, "Adventure One".

While at North Bay, the adventurous can snorkel the wreck, take a short climb up Mt Eliza for panoramic views, visit the old Gluch and Sea Bird Rookery (seasonal), and maybe enjoy a swim. Historical commentary by a 6th-generation islander. (As featured on Channel 9's Getaway programme) A packed lunch is included.

Later this afternoon, we'll meet Ian Hutton. A gifted photographer, Ian has documented the island's raw beauty, birds, marine life, and plants since arriving with an old Edixa 35mm camera. He has published his photographs in over 20 books and field guides on Lord Howe Island. Although Ian is humble, his ongoing contributions to the protection and understanding of Lord Howe Island have not gone unnoticed. In 2006, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to conservation and tourism on Lord Howe Island. In 2021, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Environmental and Physical Sciences by Southern Cross University, recognising his lifetime contributions to the island's ecology.

Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)

Day 4 - Wednesday 9 September 2026

Lord Howe (B, D)

This morning, after breakfast, we'll walk to Clear Place with Peter Phillips. Join Peter on a relaxed 3km (3-hour) walk with many photo/info stops. An environmental history tour, passing through lovely forests, mutton-bird rookery, cliff top views, giant banyans, see the valley of shadows, a clear place & Balls Pyramid. We start from the much younger landforms where most residents live & into more ancient areas. This will be explained & why its sister islands have long gone. A great island introduction – learn about the palm and tourist industry, flora, bush tucker & medicine, birds, volcanic history, snippets of colourful local history and more. Many say it is the best walking they have ever done.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a round island boat cruise. View the island the way it was discovered, from the sea, on our two-hour cruise around the island. View North Head Cave and cruise along the magnificent volcanic cliffs and spectacular mountain bases. Pass close by the Admiralty Isles with the thousands of sea birds which nest there. This weather-dependent cruise includes commentary.

Later this afternoon, we will enjoy a gin tasting with Lord Howe Island Distilling

Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)

Day 5 - Thursday 10 September 2026

Lord Howe (B, L, D)

This morning, after breakfast, we'll walk to Little Island with Peter Phillips. We'll be taken to the fascinating mountainous end of the Island for a 1km flat stroll to the base of the mountains. Little Islands, and where the lagoon reef comes to its southern end. Rock was obtained here for the building of the airstrip & start of the Mt Gower walk. Woodhens are often seen and fed. After a rest to enjoy the views and a photo or two, we stroll back. The walk is approximately 2 hours. What better way to enjoy a day than with a nice walk and company?

We'll enjoy lunch at Coral Cafe before an afternoon visit to Ned's Beach for swimming and feeding the fish.

Tonight, before dinner, we'll enjoy a historical film in the town hall.

Dinner tonight is included

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)

Day 6 - Friday 11 September 2026

Lord Howe (B, D)

This morning, enjoy a free morning to relax or further explore.

This afternoon, we'll explore the Lord Howe Island World Heritage marine environment aboard the glass-bottom boat. A two-hour tour that caters for everyone. Sit in comfort and view a marine paradise, or snorkel Erscott’s Hole and be amazed at the island’s incredible marine biodiversity. Observe a natural feeding event that will attract some of the reef's larger and more exotic fish species. Tour operates within the sheltered waters of the lagoon according to weather, viewing conditions, and tide. Snorkelling equipment provided.

Later this afternoon, we'll visit a brewery and a nursery, both businesses that pride themselves on being local and homegrown.

Dinner tonight is included.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments (or similar)