A relaxed start to our tour when we come together for our first Group Dinner at the conveniently located Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel. Get to know your fellow travelers and slip into holiday mode knowing we can simply walk across the road in the morning to check in. Too easy!

Overnight: Rydges Sydney Airport

7 NIGHTS

Wataweih (“Hello” in Norf’k dialect). Norfolk Island, a friendly piece of paradise, is just over two hours flying time from Sydney. On arrival we will be transferred to the Paradise Hotel & Resort, our home for the next 7 nights. Whilst Norfolk was once a convict settlement, today 20% of the population are descendants of the Bounty mutineers who still speak a mix of Tahitian and 18th century English.

As well as hearing some different words you will soon notice that waving to every person you pass is mandatory, cows have right of way, and everyone seems to know everyone else. With so many people sharing only a handful of surnames, Norfolk Island is the only place in the world where the telephone book lists people under their nicknames, such as Diddles, Pinky and Spud!

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

The quirky Bounty Folk Museum is a treasure chest of history and offers the opportunity to learn some unique history, laugh a lot and meet some of the friendliest people on Norfolk Island.

After lunch we will depart for a fascinating Half Day Island Tour to explore the beauty and history of Norfolk on an Island Discovery tour which will include historic Kingston, Cascade, Longridge and much more. Along the way we will see beautiful beaches, famous Convict Buildings and learn about Island culture as our guide explains the unique laws & lifestyle.

We also visit the lovely St Barnabas; the mother church of the Church of England’s missionary work in Melanesia, the Chapel was built as a memorial to Bishop Patterson and the large silver cross within is made out of Bishop Patterson’s own table-silver.
The Pitcairn Islander’s – descendants of Bounty mutineers and Tahitian women – who came to Norfolk in 1856 were brought up with strong faith through John Adams learning to read the HMS Bounty bible. Today, St Barnabas still uses Adam’s most famous prayer in their services.

Tonight, we will be joined for dinner by the Carleton family, Laurie and Bec, Olivia, Claudia and Harry. Laurie is the local Minister and BCA Chaplain on Norfolk Island.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

After breakfast we will worship with local Christians and the BCA Minister, Laurie Carleton, at the historic All Saint’s in Kingston.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the local markets, which are a 15-minute walk from our accommodation. These markets (8.30am – 11.00am) offer stalls with local art and crafts, souvenirs, produce, cooking, local coffee, live entertainment and much more.

Enjoy a relaxed Sunday and later this afternoon you can choose to join a special service of 1662 Evening Prayer at the beautiful St Barnabas Chapel followed by a singalong of Pitcairn Hymns.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

Get ready to be transported back in time on the Yesterday, Today Tour as an air-conditioned bus, full audio/visual equipment, takes us around and shows what it was like to live here, in Norfolk’s early years. Learn about a wide variety of subjects as we travel to different sites around the island e.g. The Melanesian Mission College, Whaling industry, Early ship unloading and ship building, Airport during the Second World war etc.

Enjoy time at leisure and after dinner we will experience Wonderland by Night, 10 acres of magical Norfolk pines & bushland lit up like an enchanted forest. Meander along (or ride in the ‘moon buggy’) a gentle winding path with a descendant of the Bounty mutineers, as he recites his entertaining bush poetry and lights up the various dioramas.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

Relax with a morning at leisure before a delightful tour of Norfolk’s first ever Lavender Farm. Enjoy an easy walk round the farm with the Owners to learn about their 15 different Lavender Varieties as well as other crops grown on “Fitzy’s Farm”. A gift shop is also available if you want to buy any locally made products.

We are in for a treat tonight when we experience a favourite local tradition for dinner – the Island Fish Fry. Savour a feast of Island dishes, homemade bread and fresh fried fish, followed by Island desserts and tea/coffee. Sit back and relax as we watch the sunset from a private property on Norfolk’s beautiful western coastline.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

Our lunch today comes with a “side helping” of fish – one of the highlights of Norfolk Island is the unique marine life and our local guide is keen to share his knowledge as we join him on his Glass Bottom Boat. Once you’ve ‘walked the plank’ with this ‘mutineer descendant’ it takes 60 seconds (yes one minute!) to be at the reef where you can view beautiful coral gardens & tropical fish inside the calm crystal waters of Norfolk’s lagoon. Donald will provide full & interesting commentary on this environmental tour – be prepared for a touch of Norfolk humour!

Take a step back in time on an in-depth tour of the historic Georgian settlement of Kingston. This World Heritage listed convict site dates from the brutal second penal colony that began in 1825 and it is where the “worst description of convicts” were banished.

Walk through the cemetery and discover the interesting history of the convict & colonial headstones. Hear tales of the houses along Quality Row, walk through the ruins of the New Gaol, see the Pier Store, Boat Shed & the Crank Mill. Learn how Cook’s “paradise on Earth” soon became known as “The Hell of the Pacific.”
Tonight, we can get to know one another as we experience local hospitality with a three-course meal progressing to different Norfolk Island family homes. Always a fun night, the Progressive Dinner is a great way to meet the local people, and sample some of the island dishes.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

Today is Norfolk Island’s Foundation Day when locals commemorate the founding of one of Australia’s oldest colonial territories. On 6 March 1788 Lieutenant King arrived with the first settlers, a party of fifteen convicts (9 males, 6 females) and 7 free men, to take control of Norfolk Island so it didn’t fall into the hands of the French. We will be picked up at the Resort to join the Foundation Day Celebrations which will include a re-enactment of the arrival of Lieutenant Philip Gidley King. Enjoy lunch after the re-enactment takes place and soak up the festival atmosphere.

We end our delightful stay with a final group dinner, where we can reflect on our time spent together.

Overnight: Paradise Hotel & Resort

A relaxed start before we visit Norfolk Island’s incredible Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama. This amazing 360° panoramic painting uniquely explains the history of the Bounty adventures and how the world’s most famous mutiny, created the Pitcairn and Norfolk Island communities.

The story is told through storyboard panels which document the scenes of the painting – the voyage of the Bounty to Tahiti, the mutiny and the settlement of Norfolk Island.

We reflect on a wonderful time spent on Norfolk Island and give thanks for our time together, with new friendships made and experiences shared. After a light lunch it is time to say goodbye to Island life and return home feeling blessed after a wonderful holiday full of fun, faith and fellowship.