Lord Howe Island sits 600 km directly east of Port Macquarie, so Lord Howe Island transfers start with a flight rather than a road. Commuter airlines connect the island with Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie.
This page covers how people reach the island, how far the mainland regions are by road, and what to expect once you land. Check current flight details with the airline before you book.
Getting to Lord Howe Island by air
The island is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand. It lies 600 km east of Port Macquarie, 780 km northeast of Sydney and about 900 km southwest of Norfolk Island. The usual way in is a commuter flight.
Flights run to four mainland points: Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie is the closest, which makes it worth a look if you are driving up or down the coast. We reckon it is a sensible choice for anyone who would rather avoid a big-city airport.
Driving to your departure point
Most visitors drive part of the way before they fly. The distances below are by road, measured from the Lord Howe Island area, and give a sense of how far each region sits from the island's reference point.
| Route | Distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Lord Howe Island to Port Macquarie | 83 km | 69 minutes |
| Coffs Harbour to Lord Howe Island | 105 km | 83 minutes |
| Lord Howe Island to Newcastle | 316 km | 237 minutes |
| Lord Howe Island to Port Stephens | 317 km | 239 minutes |
| Byron Bay to Lord Howe Island | 336 km | 247 minutes |
| Hunter Valley to Lord Howe Island | 349 km | 261 minutes |
| Central Coast to Lord Howe Island | 385 km | 285 minutes |
| Lord Howe Island to Sydney | 456 km | 339 minutes |
Moving around the island
The island is about 10 km long and between 0.3 and 2.0 km wide, with an area of 14.55 km2. Only 3.98 km2 of that is the low-lying developed part, so distances on the ground are short. Most of the fewer than 500 residents live in the north, while the south is dominated by forested hills rising to Mount Gower at 875 m.
Ask your accommodation about getting around when you book. Our Lord Howe Island accommodation page is a good place to start, and the Lord Howe Island resorts page covers larger stays.
Outings on the water and on foot
For boat-based outings, see our Lord Howe Island cruises page, and for walks and snorkelling see Lord Howe Island activities.
Visitor limits, time zone and money
Only about 400 visitors are allowed on the island at a time. That cap is the practical reason to book flights and beds early. The Lord Howe Island Board administers the island, and it reports to the New South Wales Minister for Environment and Heritage.
The island group is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Lord Howe Island Act 1981 set up a Permanent Park Preserve covering about 70% of the island. The surrounding waters are the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
The standard time zone is UTC+10:30, or UTC+11 when daylight saving applies. That half-hour offset catches some travellers out, so set your watch on arrival. The currency is the Australian dollar.
Weather when you travel
Figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the island area.
| 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 |
June and July are the wettest stretch, with about 13 rain days a month. January and February have the fewest, at around 8. For a broader look, see the Lord Howe Island destination guide.
More planning resources
Visit NSW is the official state tourism site. Background on the island's geography and history is on Wikipedia: Lord Howe Island.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Lord Howe Island?
No. The island is 600 km off the coast, and the drive times listed here are road distances to mainland regions. You fly in from Sydney, Gold Coast, Newcastle or Port Macquarie.
Which mainland point is closest?
Port Macquarie, 600 km directly west of the island. Sydney is 780 km away to the southwest.
How many people can visit at once?
Only about 400 visitors are allowed on the island at a time, so book early.
