Norfolk Island sits 1,412 kilometres east of Evans Head, so a trip here is a proper flight, not a weekend drive. For families, that distance is part of the appeal: about 35 square kilometres of island, around 2,188 residents at the 2021 census, and very little rushing about.
This page covers the practical side of Norfolk Island holidays with kids: how to get there, where to stay, the stories that tend to catch young imaginations, and what to plan for. Check current prices and times with each operator when you book.
Getting to Norfolk Island with children
Flights run on a Boeing 737 operated by Norfolk Air from Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There is also a direct service from New Zealand with Air New Zealand on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The island lies between New Zealand and New Caledonia, about 900 kilometres from Lord Howe Island. Build in some buffer on travel days, as there is no road alternative if plans shift. If you would rather arrive by sea, our page on Norfolk Island cruises is the place to start.
Where families can stay
Accommodation on the island ranges from self-contained apartments and houses to lodges, B&Bs, hotels, motels and cottages. For families, self-contained places are the obvious pick, because a kitchen and a separate living area make early bedtimes and fussy eaters far easier to manage. That is our own judgement rather than a rule, and plenty of families are happy in a motel room.
The All Seasons Colonial Norfolk Island Resort is one of the properties on offer. You can compare options on our Norfolk Island accommodation page, or look at Norfolk Island apartments if you want space and a kitchen.
Getting around at an island pace
Nothing is far away. Hire vehicles are easy to arrange, and the pace is gentle, which suits families with small children who do not want long drives between stops. The main village centre has shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, plus churches and a number of tour operators who can book tours and rentals for you.
Browse Norfolk Island tours and rentals for options, and the wider Norfolk Island activities list if you want to fill a few days. Or do very little. The island has beaches and lush tropical surrounds, and for many families a lazy day on the sand is the highlight.
History that older kids tend to enjoy
Norfolk Island has a story with a bit of everything, which helps when you are trying to interest children in a heritage site.
Polynesian settlers and Captain Cook
East Polynesian seafarers settled the island in the 13th or 14th century, then departed long before Europeans arrived. Captain James Cook landed on 10 October 1774 and named the island after Mary Howard, Duchess of Norfolk.
The convict years
The island served as a convict penal settlement from 6 March 1788 until 5 May 1855, apart from an 11-year gap when it lay abandoned. Convicts staged several uprisings between 1826 and 1846, all of which failed. Most of those sent here had committed non-violent property offences, and the average stay was three years.
The Bounty descendants
On 8 June 1856, 194 people arrived from Pitcairn Island. They were descendants of Tahitians and the HMS Bounty mutineers, including those of Fletcher Christian. Children who know the Bounty story often find this the most memorable part.
The Norfolk Island pine, which appears on the island flag, is another easy one to point out to kids. Our Norfolk Island attractions page lists places to see these stories first-hand.
What to plan for
- Flights: book early and check the days that services run, especially from New Zealand.
- Accommodation: decide whether you want a kitchen and extra space, then book accordingly.
- Transport: arrange a hire vehicle or tour through an operator in the village.
- Weather: see our Norfolk Island weather page before packing.
For deals, keep an eye on Norfolk Island specials. For state-wide planning, Visit NSW is the official tourism site, and the background facts on the island are summarised on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
How do families get to Norfolk Island?
Norfolk Air flies a Boeing 737 from Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Air New Zealand flies direct from New Zealand on Wednesdays and Sundays.
What kind of accommodation suits families?
Options include self-contained apartments and houses, lodges, B&Bs, hotels, motels and cottages. Self-contained places give families the most room.
Is it easy to get around with children?
Yes. The island is small, hire vehicles are readily available, and the village centre has shops, cafes, restaurants and tour operators close together. For a broader introduction, see our Norfolk Island travel guide.