Lord Howe Island Exploration

Fly from Sydney to Lord Howe Island, where your guide will welcome you on arrival. After settling in, a short bike ride to the Museum sets the tone for the expedition ahead — a special lecture from local environmental specialist Ian Hutton covers the island's captivating history, geology, marine ecology, and birdlife. Browse the museum's exhibits and rare book collection before heading to The Boatshed for welcome drinks with panoramic views across the lagoon and Blackburn Island at golden hour.

Join Peter Busteed from Island Cruises for a glass-bottom boat journey across the lagoon, spotting green turtles in the crystal-clear waters with the option to snorkel. At North Bay, a guided beach walk observes sooty terns nesting in their natural habitat, followed by a BBQ lunch beneath towering Kentia palms. The afternoon offers a hike to Mount Eliza for breathtaking views and a walk to The Old Gulch for diverse birdlife. Choose to return by boat or take the longer coastal trail past Kim's Lookout and the Malabar cliffs.

Ride to The Jetty for a three-hour cruise around the island with sixth-generation islander Brad Wilson, visiting the Admiralty Islands and Muttonbird Island to observe nesting colonies of masked boobies, albatross, sooty terns, muttonbirds, and cormorants. Return to The Anchorage for a relaxed lunch before an afternoon walk through the Valley of Shadows and Clear Place, where towering banyan trees and lush ferns shelter muttonbird nesting sites and dramatic eastern cliff viewpoints.

A leisurely 3.5-hour guided walk around the settlement with Ian Hutton explores volcanic and sedimentary geology, Kentia palm evolution, and several seabird colonies at close range. After lunch at Coral Café, participate in a seabird colony count project — a genuine citizen science contribution to the island's conservation program. Those preferring a relaxed afternoon can snorkel and feed the fish at Ned's Beach. A bike ride to the Nursery offers a behind-the-scenes look at Lord Howe's Kentia palm export industry, where over 500,000 seedlings are shipped to Europe annually. The evening closes with a sunset ride to Ned's Beach to watch flesh-footed shearwaters return dramatically to their burrows.

Departing from Government House, a tranquil 2km trail winds beneath a lush canopy of grey bark and ficus trees where woodhen, white terns, Pacific emerald doves, and pied currawongs are regularly encountered. The path ascends to Transit Hill's panoramic lookout — a moderate hike with some short steep sections — before descending through coastal rainforest to Blinky Beach, where sooty terns nest along the shoreline, and a swim is possible in calm conditions. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore freely — swim, cycle, or simply relax. The tour closes with a farewell dinner.

Savour a final breakfast at The Anchorage before checking out of Somerset Apartments. For those with time before the afternoon flight, an optional bike ride to Little Island — a hidden gem at the foot of Mount Lidgebird and Mount Gower — offers a final encounter with the island's wild coastal beauty. As the flight departs for Sydney, take in the turquoise lagoon and dramatic peaks one last time, carrying home memories of an extraordinary island expedition.