Time Stands Still on Norfolk Island.

[henrus]

It seems centrally located and we will probably rent a car for a couple days

100% agree you'll need a car for the days you're there. Even though it's a small ish island you can't really walk everywhere.

Do we need cash or do most places take cards?

Wouldn't hurt although everywhere we went took card. It is apart of Australia and most on the island has those fancy touch screen commbank card machines. The only place that didn't was the markets (although some had the ability to process card payments inside, this may have changed with the new 3G/4G phone network, and previously there wasn't any mobile data network.

 

[henrus]

I will be picking up the Tourist Sim card.

Sounds good, just note you can only get them in the main office which is only open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

You're also not limited to that tourist plan so it's okay to get a small cheaper one or a larger one if you wish.

 

[Tiki]

Yes the place I booked gives 100Mb WiFi per stay! I will be picking up the Tourist Sim card. I just booked the car and accommodation. I picked the accommodation (A-Frame Chalets @ Mokutu) with the latest cancelleable date which is 4 days before we arrive. If the trip gets cancelled for anything related to Covid, my travel insurance won't cover!

Yeah I am mildly freaking out now that there will be some kind of Covid issue and borders will slam shut!

Norfolk is covered by Medicare right? So we don't really need insurance unless there is a policy that covers Covid issues out of out control? I will def avoid going out unless absolutely necessary so we aren't "close contacts" if anything happens.

 

[drron]

Yeah I am mildly freaking out now that there will be some kind of Covid issue and borders will slam shut!

Norfolk is covered by Medicare right? So we don't really need insurance unless there is a policy that covers Covid issues out of out control? I will def avoid going out unless absolutely necessary so we aren't "close contacts" if anything happens.

I wouldn't worry too much they haven't had a case on Norfolk and very unlikely to be an import from Australia.
They were also keen in November on social distancing and hand sanitiser.No one got inside without sanitising their hands.Possibly have relaxed a bit now.In November about 40% didn't want any tourists.The previous number 1 reastaurant on TA was run by one of those folk and was closed until March but the signs had gone from the place entirely.

 

[kpc]

Norfolk is covered by Medicare right?

Yes including medivac to mainland Australia

 

[henrus]

Whilst medicare applies and as pointed out by kpc a medivac to the mainland if needed, the one thing no domestic travel insurance (or medicare) would cover is domestic borders slamming shut.

There is a very slim risk that if an outbreak occurs on the island you'd be forced to stick out a lockdown (paying for your own accommodation) or return to the mainland and enter hotel quarantine (and pay for it yourself). No insurance will cover this and it's a risk that could occur traveling interstate anywhere in Australia right now. I'd argue with Norfolk Island the risk is less than a capital city as any case would need to be imported via the mainland (and previously leaked out of hotel quarantine). The island has never had a single confirmed case so all this above would be extremely unlikely but again possible just very very slim (although I can't say it enough traveling interstate anywhere has the exact same risk right now!).

 

[kpc]

Whilst medicare applies and as pointed out by kpc a medivac to the mainland if needed, the one thing no domestic travel insurance (or medicare) would cover is domestic borders slamming shut.

There is a very slim risk that if an outbreak occurs on the island you'd be forced to stick out a lockdown (paying for your own accommodation) or return to the mainland and enter hotel quarantine (and pay for it yourself). No insurance will cover this and it's a risk that could occur traveling interstate anywhere in Australia right now. I'd argue with Norfolk Island the risk is less than a capital city as any case would need to be imported via the mainland (and previously leaked out of hotel quarantine). The island has never had a single confirmed case so all this above would be extremely unlikely but again possible just very very slim (although I can't say it enough traveling interstate anywhere has the exact same risk right now!).

Don't make us too netvous! I was worried more if there were community cases in Sydney and we are barred from going to Norfolk...I would lose my rental accommodation if within the non refundable window as my insurance ( or any other) won't cover anything Covid related. I booked accommodation deliberately that is fully refundable up to 4 days prior, car rental place didn't take my credit card details and our Qf award flights are fully refundable....

 

[Tiki]

We are back! It's kind of funny to see your pics, nothing has changed in the last few months! We didn't eat at the (for us) expensive cafes but we did do Margaret's bird watching tour and got most of the endemics including the parrots right off the bat! Got photos too! No one \takes Amex and a few even struggled with my Westpac Rewards card. The Cyclorama next to HIlli's was nicely done.

We did 2 evening events and didn't have many choices because some were booked out by package tourists even before they landed. The Dinner as a Convict Tour was a bit kitchy for my taste. It started out ok with the role playing but after dinner descended into some ridiculous competition where all the ladies had to pass a few hats around and a rolling pin between the legs. I held on to a hat so I could get eliminated quickly and sit down. In all fairness, the majority seemed to love it and fought to the death at the last rolling pin duel. Baunti's Fish Feast on Saturday was good. I don't eat fish but they brought chicken for me. It is at Puppies Point and the sunset was stunning! The singer was good playing mostly 60's and 70's songs and a few girls did some hula while we were eating.

Market was small for someone who is used to Raro's Punanga Nui. No one was selling coconut bread! We had the car for 3 days and managed to cover all the main sights and pretty much any road we could drive down. We stayed 5 days and that was plenty, especially considering we got the birds the first day easily!

Seaview is an Ok budget place but the wifi was really bad and only worked near the reception area. The airport has free wifi that is pretty good and the Bowlo had a free hotspot (may or may not have been accidental. It didn't ask for a password.

If you really want to do a specific tour, book in advance because most things were booked out but that may have been Easter holidays too.

 

[cmon0005]

No one \takes Amex and a few even struggled with my Westpac Rewards card.

I was going to ask this.. thought it was a bit of a stretch having amex on norfolk..

 

[kpc]

I was going to ask this.. thought it was a bit of a stretch having amex on norfolk..

Also bring cash....when we were there in April, the tour boat operator wanted cash and the only ATM on the island was out of order!

 

[cmon0005]

Also bring cash....when we were there in April, the tour boat operator wanted cash and the only ATM on the island was out of order!

Yes will bring some, though I have booked most of our activities prior using Qantas activities (which allows amex).

 

[drron]

We didn't get to use us once.But I have my Visa account for the time and we had 15 payments on Norfolk including all our meals.

 

[kyle]

Is Norfolk Island a lot less casual compared to Lord Howe Island?

 

[EestiTiger]

Thanks for the TR! Heading over for the first time in a few weeks so the comments above and the TR were very helpful!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Is Norfolk Island a lot less casual compared to Lord Howe Island?

It is very casual on Norfolk, I havent been to Lord Howe - but I have been to Norfolk 4 times. We ate out every day, Slacks and a nice top worked everywhere we ate.

 

[kyle]

It is very casual on Norfolk, I havent been to Lord Howe - but I have been to Norfolk 4 times. We ate out every day, Slacks and a nice top worked everywhere we ate.

Thanks. I was thinking of even more casual... hehe...

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Thanks. I was thinking of even more casual... hehe...

Well we certainly didnt see anyone in swimmers or beach attire walking around the "town" ! It doesn't get that hot there anyway for that !

 

[henrus]

Thanks. I was thinking of even more casual... hehe...

I think at all of the restaurants you could get away with shorts/T-shirt/thongs but long pants/t-shirt would work at any of the places. It does get cold (I'm from QLD so make of that as you wish) plus unlike some of the other capitals (SYD/MEL looking at you...) the staff won't judge/deny service based on some crazy dress code.

 

[DC3]

I think at all of the restaurants you could get away with shorts/T-shirt/thongs but long pants/t-shirt would work at any of the places. It does get cold (I'm from QLD so make of that as you wish) plus unlike some of the other capitals (SYD/MEL looking at you...) the staff won't judge/deny service based on some crazy dress code.

Bogan attire is acceptable in all of the restaurants? Oh, no.

Whatever happened to putting some effort into going out for dinner? Flip-flops?

 

[henrus]

Whatever happened to putting some effort into going out for dinner? Flip-flops?

After all, it is an island. Whilst I agree that people should put more effort in... you've obviously never traveled to North QLD