Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island

UNESCO world-heritage island 600 km off the coast — snorkelling, walks and just 400 visitors allowed at a time.

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Lord Howe Island (; formerly Lord Howe's Island) is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, part of the Australian state of New South Wales. It lies 600 km (370 mi; 320 nmi) directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, 780 km (480 mi; 420 nmi) northeast of Sydney, and about 900 km (560 mi; 490 nmi) southwest of Norfolk Island. It is about 10 km (6.2 mi) long and between 0.3 and 2.0 km (0.19 and 1.24 mi) wide with an area of 14.55 km2 (3,600 acres), though just 3.98 km2 (980 acres) of that comprise the low-lying developed part of the island. The island is named after Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe. Along the west coast is a sandy semi-enclosed sheltered coral reef lagoon. The island is home to less than 500 people, most of whom live in the north, while the south is dominated by forested hills rising to the highest point on the island, Mount Gower (875 m, 2,871 ft). The Lord Howe Island Group comprises 28 islands, islets, and rocks. Apart from Lord Howe Island itself, the most notable of these is the volcanic and uninhabited Ball's Pyramid about 23 km (14 mi; 12 nmi) to the southeast of Howe. To the north lies the Admiralty Group, a cluster of seven uninhabited islets. The first reported sighting of Lord Howe Island took place on 17 February 1788, when Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, commander of the Armed Tender HMS Supply, was en route from Botany Bay to found a penal settlement on Norfolk Island. On the return journey, Ball sent a party ashore on Lord Howe Island to claim it as a British possession. It subsequently became a provisioning port for the whaling industry, and was permanently settled in June 1834. When whaling declined, the 1880s saw the beginning of the worldwide export of the endemic kentia palms, which remains a key component of the island's economy. The other continuing industry, tourism, began after World War II ended in 1945. The Lord Howe Island Group is part of the state of New South Wales and is regarded legally as an unincorporated area administered by the Lord Howe Island Board, which reports to the New South Wales Minister for Environment and Heritage. The island's standard time zone is UTC+10:30, or UTC+11 when daylight saving time applies. The currency is the Australian dollar. Commuter airlines provide flights to Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Port Macquarie. UNESCO records the Lord Howe Island Group as a World Heritage Site of global natural significance. Most of the island is virtually untouched forest, with many of the plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Other natural attractions include the diversity of the landscapes, the variety of upper mantle and oceanic basalts, the world's southernmost barrier coral reef, nesting seabirds, and the rich historical and cultural heritage. The Lord Howe Island Act 1981 established a "Permanent Park Preserve" (covering about 70% of the island). The island was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 21 May 2007 and the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The surrounding waters are a protected region designated the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.

Background information about Lord Howe Island adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Lord Howe Island

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

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Best time to visit Lord Howe Island

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jan, Apr, Dec — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Jun, Jul if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
23°
21° low
73mm
Feb
23°
22° low
84mm
Mar
22°
21° low
103mm
Apr
21°
20° low
86mm
May
20°
18° low
101mm
Jun
18°
17° low
109mm
Jul
18°
16° low
96mm
Aug
17°
16° low
83mm
Sep
18°
16° low
82mm
Oct
19°
17° low
77mm
Nov
20°
18° low
86mm
Dec
21°
20° low
88mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Lord Howe Island

Typical wave height around 1.4 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
1.4 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Lord Howe Island

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (27)
⛰️ Peaks & summits (22)
🏛️ Museums & galleries (1)
🕳️ Caves (1)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Lord Howe Island

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Port Macquarie
83 km · 1h 9m
To Coffs Harbour
105 km · 1h 23m
To Newcastle
316 km · 3h 57m
To Port Stephens
317 km · 3h 59m
To Byron Bay
336 km · 4h 7m
To Hunter Valley
349 km · 4h 21m
To Central Coast
385 km · 4h 45m
To Sydney
456 km · 5h 39m

Photos from around Lord Howe Island

Cruises
Cruises
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North Coast
North Coast
article
Attractions
Attractions
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Apartments
Apartments
article

Frequently asked about Lord Howe Island

Where is Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island is in Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other New South Wales destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Lord Howe Island?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Lord Howe Island are typically January, December, April — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. June tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Lord Howe Island?
Summer daytime highs average around 23°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 16°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 1067 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Lord Howe Island?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Port Macquarie it's about 83 km — roughly 1h 9m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other New South Wales destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Lord Howe Island?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Intermediate Hill, Goat House Cave, Pixie Rourke Memorial Seat, The Goathouse, Mount Lidgbird. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
How many days should I spend at Lord Howe Island?
Most travellers spend a day at Lord Howe Island to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 0 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Lord Howe Island good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 13 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Lord Howe Island?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Lord Howe Island?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Lord Howe Island accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Lord Howe Island are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Lord Howe Island cost?
Budget travellers can do Lord Howe Island on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Lord Howe Island?
Most named destinations in New South Wales have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

Everything in Lord Howe Island

Browse every guide, listing and how-to for Lord Howe Island.

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Dining(1)

Travel guide(2)

All tours in Lord Howe Island

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Lord Howe Island travel articles

Cruises
Cruises
Quick Links With the variety of different cruises that you can jump on board with while you are on Lord Howe Island you will be able to experience the best parts that this magical island escape has to offer. There are so many wonderful cruises that you can embark on that you will be left wondering w
North Coast
North Coast
Quick Links The New South Wales north Coast region includes the area from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads and Kingscliff and all the coastal ciies and towns in between, it also includes Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island which are both officially part of New South Wales. This area is one of Australia
Attractions
Attractions
Quick Links The accommodation that you can choose from on Lord Howe Island somewhat resembles that timeless elegance of the entire island. From huge pine trees swaying in the wind to blue lagoons that you can bath in all day, your accommodation will present nothing less than luxury. Lord Howe Island
Apartments
Apartments
Quick Links Lord Howe Island Apartments offer a variety of fantastic options to choose from when planning your next big holiday to Lord Howe Island. Depending on how many you need to accommodate and what kind of taste you have, there is sure to be the perfect apartment that will add the cherry to an
📍
Activities
Quick Links The attractions on Lord Howe Island are simply endless with so many things to see and do while you are here you will wonder just where you are going to start first. No matter what you want to do, whether it is on land or sea, you can choose from a fantastic selection of attractions. Lord
Resorts
Resorts
Quick Links As you can imagine with a place like Lord Howe Island there are definitely going to be some spectacular resorts that you can stay at for your holiday. Scattered all over this beautiful island are some amazing establishments that offers some quality accommodation that is perfect for famil
Holidays With Kids
Holidays With Kids
Quick Links The accommodation that you can choose from on Lord Howe Island somewhat resembles that timeless elegance of the entire island. From huge pine trees swaying in the wind to blue lagoons that you can bath in all day, your accommodation will present nothing less than luxury. Lord Howe Island
Travel Guide
Travel Guide
Quick Links The accommodation that you can choose from on Lord Howe Island somewhat resembles that timeless elegance of the entire island. From huge pine trees swaying in the wind to blue lagoons that you can bath in all day, your accommodation will present nothing less than luxury. Lord Howe Island