Time Stands Still on Norfolk Island.

[drron]

So tomorrow we leave from BNE's International Terminal on our first overseas flight this year-to Norfolk Island.We had our honeymoon there.Was about as far as we could afford in those days.It was then a duty free place and we returned home 70Kg overweight.However as it was our honeymoon we were not charged.
Much of that was a complete set of WMF cookware with copper bottoms.They are still in use today

However those days are gone for good.their Assembly was sacked in 2015 and now there are just another LGA of NSW.Fortunately very regional so no problem getting back into QLD and my re entry pass from Tassie will still be valid.

We leave home at 0645 tomorrow morning.On arrival into Norfolk Island it will be 49 years to the day since we first arrived there.Have been back on 3 occasions since.

This time it will mainly be just vegging.No gourmet restaurants but hopefully some nice fresh fish.Unfortunately all the fishing charters are either closed or fully booked for our time their.

 

[craven morehead]

Looking forward to the photos. Enjoy the trip ✈

 

[drron]

As usual on the morning of the flight we were well awake before our alarms.Into the limo at 0630 and a fast run to BNE.Arrived 0725.
There was already a long queue for checkin which was open -2 Y and 2 premium desks.
We took 55 minutes to checkin because about half way down the queue they took away one of the Y agents.when we reached checkin the queue behind us was as lonf as it was when we arrived.As departure was at 1005 some might be cutting it fine.

Of course not helped by some who don't read the information.Such as the very well dressed older couple who got to the desk and had not applied for the Norfolk Island entry pass.Both did have WP tags on their carry ons.Then asked aboutgetting up front seats.I thought to myself flaunting your QF WP tags might get you last in the queue on NZ.The plane was full anyway.

Apart from the NZ flight the place was empty.One cafe upstairs open but none past security.Duty Free was open though.

Shock.When we arrived at Immigration there were 5 in front of us!That was noticed so a second agent came and straight through.

The real difference was noted looking at the Departure boards.A weeks departures were displayed.Pictures later.

Next update from the Island.

 

[Ikara]

Aaaahhhhhh, Norfolk Island! - the place for the newly weds and the nearly deads. Did it once - never again.

 

[Major]

Isn't Norfolk Island still an Australian external territory ?

 

[craven morehead]

Isn't Norfolk Island still an Australian external territory ?

Norfolk is not a Territory of Australia, but simply a territory under its control, so flights leave from the International Terminal and a passport is required. From the discover Norfolk Island website.

 

[drron]

From July 1 2016 Norfolk Island came under the Jurisdiction of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 with a May 2016 addition of Norfolk Island.

Legislation updates

But they must now vote in Federal elections and are enrolled in the Electorate of Bean.

Politics of Norfolk Island - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Keith009]

Looking forward to your report. Planning a trip to NLK for Easter 2021 as it's about as 'overseas' as we can get within Australia (from Sydney anyway), and less of a hassle to get to than the Indian Ocean Territories.

Apparently you don't need passports, but due to remoteness it's strongly encouraged in case a flight diversion to another country occurs.

Factsheet: Domestic travel between Norfolk Island and mainland Australia

Norfolk Island is situated in the Pacific Ocean approximately 1, 600km north-east of Sydney, 890km north-east of Lord Howe Island and 1,100km north-west of Auckland. The Island is approximately 8km long and 5km wide totalling an area of 3,455ha.

www.regional.gov.au

 

[Denali]

 

[VPS]

OMG - a real life trip report - looking forward to this

 

[drron]

Time to start the pictorial part of the TR.BNE International as I have never seen it.~ 0700 0n 7/11.
..

A sign of the times.
.

Airside.
..

Eek!Foreign planes.
..

And the departure boards have a whole week of departures.
..

Note on Monday.ASY045. Going SYD-DRW-NHD.
Yes an RAAF service to the Middle East.

 

[drron]

So to the flight.NZ 914. BNE-NLK.
ETD-1005. Push back -1009. Take off -1020.
ETA -1410. touch down -1410.
Seats 7D,7E. the window seat was empty the night before but occupied on the day.We were on a Works fare.Leg room OK.
.

Our first Y meal on a departure from the International Terminal for a very long time.Mrsdrron had the chicken,I the beef.
..

.

An uneventful flight and finally the Island is sighted.
..

.

Soon off the plane into a queue for a temperature check.A very small area for the bag claim.The premium baggage was out but a wait for the rest and ours was near the last as usual.A check of your landing card-the old Australian card.Then a check of your entry permit.No passport check.

Waiting for us was the lady for our holiday rental who drove around town in our rental car then to the far side of the island to the house.Truly wonderful spot.That next.

 

[drron]

The house and views.
..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

The house.
..

..

..

..

.

The house is King Tide House.It is on AirBNB.
We got it ~ $100 for the 6 nights cheaper through our TA.
The owners website `KING TIDE HOUSE

 

[drron]

The first night we went to the Homestead restaurant for dinner.An impressiveline of trees outside the restaurant.
..

And to greet you.
.

Plus sign in.And the number of cases on the island -zero.
So we shared a smoked kingfish terrine and a duck pate for entree.
..

Both very good.Mrsdrron preferred the duck,I the fish.
For mains mrsdrron had confit duck and I the kingfish in a Tom Yum broth.
..

Both were good.For my dish the fish was overcooked but the broth was very good.
A bottle of Babich Sav Blanc as well.All up $200.

 

[drron]

Sunday and we started with the markets.Not too much there so the stalls were social distancing.
.

Prices were high.Tomatoes $10 per Kg,muffins $6.
We then went for a drive.No particular destination but some good views.
..

.

..

That is a reasonably large Norfolk Island pine.
.

And a Californian Quail.
.

These fellows have the right of way.
.

 

[drron]

Then down a road leading to the coast.Lots of great views.
..

..

..

..

..

 

[drron]

A lot of views were over the golf course.
..

..

An old lighter used to onloard the supply ship.These were being used in 1971.Two lashed together were used to unload mini busses.
.

Next Bloody Bridge called that due to a myth that convicts murdered one or two guards and built them into the bridge.However no records found and the Bridge was not there during the first penal colony ended in 1815.First report of the bridge in 1841.
..

..

 

[henrus]

I'm doing the same journey in about 3 weeks. Will be the closest I've been to the International terminal for a long time!

 

[drron]

Well a couple of upgrades and my old way of posting pics appears dead.Wasn't meant to work anyway.So picked up now on the correct and slower way to do it.So starting this post with a sign on Bloody Bridge which was the first casualty.
.

..

..

..

..

.