Lord Howe Island has no bargain-basement reputation. It sits 600 km off the coast and only around 400 visitors are allowed at a time, so the best Lord Howe Island specials come from smart timing and from leaning on the sights that cost nothing.
This page covers how the weather changes through the year, which natural attractions are free to enjoy, and where to look next for current prices on tours and stays. Check rates with each operator before you book.
Why visitor limits shape value on Lord Howe Island
The island is about 10 km long and between 0.3 and 2.0 km wide, and fewer than 500 people live there. Just 3.98 km2 of its 14.55 km2 is low-lying developed land. With a cap of roughly 400 visitors at a time, beds are limited, which is why we reckon planning early matters more here than hunting for a last-minute deal.
Commuter airlines fly to Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie. The island lies 780 km northeast of Sydney and 600 km directly east of Port Macquarie, so the trip is by air. Getting there is likely to be your biggest single cost, so look at flights early.
The quieter and cheaper months by climate
Temperatures stay mild all year. Winter is cooler and wetter, and that is the stretch where we'd expect fewer people chasing beds, though it is worth confirming when you book.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.7 | 21.5 | 73.4 | 8.4 | 28.9 |
| February | 23.1 | 21.9 | 83.7 | 8.1 | 25.9 |
| March | 22.4 | 21.2 | 103.2 | 9.4 | 28.6 |
| April | 21.2 | 19.8 | 86.4 | 9.6 | 28.1 |
| May | 19.8 | 18.2 | 100.6 | 10.9 | 27.9 |
| June | 18.4 | 16.8 | 108.7 | 12.7 | 25.7 |
| July | 17.5 | 15.9 | 95.8 | 12.9 | 27.5 |
| August | 17.3 | 15.6 | 82.5 | 11.4 | 29.1 |
| September | 17.9 | 16.3 | 82.0 | 9.1 | 28.2 |
| October | 18.6 | 17.1 | 76.6 | 9.1 | 28.7 |
| November | 19.9 | 18.4 | 86.3 | 8.9 | 27.9 |
| December | 21.4 | 20.1 | 87.8 | 8.3 | 28.9 |
Reading the figures
June and July are the wettest on rain days, at about 13 days each, and June has the most rain at 108.7 mm. Yet August has 29.1 sunny days, the highest of any month, with highs of 17.3 degrees. September and October are similar, with 9.1 rain days and about 28 sunny days. Warm months such as January and February reach 22.7 and 23.1 degrees.
If you want comfortable weather with a chance of lighter crowds, the shoulder months of September, October and November look like the sensible punt.
Free sights worth building a trip around
Much of the island's appeal costs nothing. Most of it is virtually untouched forest, and the Lord Howe Island Act 1981 established a Permanent Park Preserve covering about 70% of the island. The Lord Howe Island Group is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its landscapes, nesting seabirds and the world's southernmost barrier coral reef.
- The sandy, sheltered coral reef lagoon along the west coast.
- Blinky Beach, where the first permanent settlers landed in June 1834.
- The Old Settlement area, where those settlers built their first huts beside fresh water.
- Mount Gower, the island's highest point at 875 m, rising over the forested hills of the south.
- Views of Ball's Pyramid, a volcanic remnant about 23 km to the southeast.
Our Lord Howe Island attractions page covers more places to see, and the Lord Howe Island activities page has ideas for filling your days.
Tours, stays and where to compare them
Compare current rates on our Lord Howe Island tours and rentals page, and weigh up stay types on the Lord Howe Island accommodation page. Self-catering places can trim food costs, so the Lord Howe Island apartments page is a fair starting point.
For wider trip planning across the state, the official Visit NSW site is worth a look. For background on the island's history and geography, see Lord Howe Island on Wikipedia.
Planning notes that save money
Currency is the Australian dollar, and the island's standard time is UTC+10:30, or UTC+11 during daylight saving. The island is administered by the Lord Howe Island Board, and the surrounding waters form the Lord Howe Island Marine Park, so look after the reef and wildlife as you would anywhere protected.
Build your days around the free lagoon, beaches and forest, book flights and beds well ahead given the visitor cap, and aim for the milder shoulder months. Start with the main Lord Howe Island destination guide to see how it all fits together.
Frequently asked questions
When is Lord Howe Island quietest?
The climate figures show June and July as the wettest months, with about 13 rain days each, so the cooler months are the likely quiet stretch. Confirm when booking.
Can you drive to Lord Howe Island?
No. It lies 600 km east of Port Macquarie in the Tasman Sea. Commuter airlines fly to Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie.
What can you do for free on Lord Howe Island?
You can enjoy the west coast lagoon, visit places such as Blinky Beach and the Old Settlement, and take in the forested hills beneath Mount Gower, all part of a World Heritage listed island.
