6 NIGHTS

Get ready to relax and recharge, reflect and connect with like-minded people as we leave the pace of modern life behind and immerse ourselves in the spectacular surroundings of Lord Howe Island. Just a short two-hour flight from Sydney has us in a World Heritage paradise!

On arrival we are met by our local host at the airport and transferred to our accommodation at the centrally located, Leanda Lei Apartments.

In 1788 Lord Howe Island was first discovered by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, commander of the First Fleet ship,” Supply”, while en route between Sydney Cove and the penal settlement of Norfolk Island. Ball named the uninhabited island after British Admiral Richard Howe, and the sea stack situated to the island’s south, Balls Pyramid, after himself. The first settlers, originally just three couples from New Zealand, arrived in 1834 so the island could be used as a provisioning station for both whalers and the ships travelling between Sydney and Norfolk Island.

We end our first day on Lord Howe Island with Christian fellowship and a delicious Group Dinner.

What a wonderful place to spend a Sunday!

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

This morning we will share a time of worship together before setting off on a Half-Day Island Tour exploring the early history of Lord Howe and fascinating insights into the island’s flora, fauna and unique way of life.

This afternoon we visit Lord Howe Island Museum, a treasure chest of natural history and fantastic collections. Here we will meet Ian Hutton, the curator of the museum and a passionate environmentalist, who will share a fascinating talk with us about what makes Lord Howe Island so special. Ian says that “living on Lord Howe Island is like living inside a David Attenborough documentary”.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

We have a “Big Day Out” planned today as Marine Adventures takes us on an in-depth tour to the North Bay of the island. Here we can view the large variety of fish, turtles, stingrays and amazing corals of the world’s southernmost barrier reef on a glass bottom boat. These waters offer some of the best visibility available and we will learn more about the local marine life through the relaxed commentary of a sixth-generation islander. We can choose our own pace today but make sure you bring your swimming costume, walking shoes and a hat as our day could include anything and everything! (Snorkelling gear and wetsuits are available on the boat)

Another day in “paradise” filled with natural wonders.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

Enjoy a delightful walk to a grassy clearing known as the “Clear Place”. There are great views of the south end of the island, including Intermediate Hill and Mt Lidgbird, and we may even see Ball’s Pyramid in the distance. Take some time for lunch before we are collected for our Around Island Cruise where we get up close to the stunning vertical cliffs of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird. We also have the chance to spot Balls Pyramid in the distance before cruising past the Admiralty Isles, see the arch, the Gulch and Herring Pools.

Lord Howe Island is Australia’s premier bird-watching destination, with more than 130 permanent and migratory bird species, among them the Lord Howe Island Woodhen – a flightless endemic species saved from extinction by a local conservation effort. Sooty terns and common noddy that nest on the cliffs and outer islands, and there are 14 species of seabirds that breed here in the hundreds of thousands; the largest breeding colony in the world of red-tailed tropic bird is on Lord Howe!
Then it’s off to the movies! This special 1-hour programme of historical movies is at the local Community Hall and all the proceeds go to the local island school to help the students get off the island for an annual excursion.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

Influenced by the warm East Australian current during summer and cooler southern currents in winter, Lord Howe Island boasts a myriad of temperate and tropical marine species. Over 490 coastal reef fish species and nearly 90 coral species call this reef system their home.

Due to its isolation, the Island has a range of fish fauna, algae and marine invertebrates found nowhere else on the planet. This morning we take a glass bottom boat trip on the lagoon. The brilliant blue lagoon is formed by a natural barrier of 6km of the world’s southernmost coral reef.

We’ll see beautiful coral outcrops, surging strands of algae, colourful sponges and a wonderful array of fish life; keep your eye out for some of the more unusual lagoon inhabitants such as the endemic double-header wrasse, stingrays and turtles.
Snorkel at Erscott’s Hole or just relax on the boat and soak up the beauty of God’s Creation.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

This morning you are free to wander at leisure – go for a walk, hire a bike, or enjoy a dip in the ocean. This afternoon we head to Ned’s Beach on the Northeastern section of the Island to enjoy a picnic lunch. There are several species of fish that live in the waters at Ned’s Beach and we should see silver drummers, wrasse, mullets, kingfish, garfish and even the spangled emperor. Weather permitting, we can wade out and hand feed the fish.

We end our day with a final Group Dinner, sharing stories of our special time together.

Overnight: Leanda Lei Apartments

After a wonderful holiday we must farewell Lord Howe Island this morning. We might be leaving our Island paradise, but we take with us memories of glorious scenery, friendly locals and delightful experiences shared with new friends.