Lord Howe Island remained uninhabited for millions of years and there is no record of Indigenous Australians having ever lived on this chain of small islands that occur in the Tasman Sea, 4,350 miles northeast of what is now Sydney. 

LOCATION

Lord Howe Island is a small island in the Tasman Sea 600km east of the Australian mainland and 700km northeast of Sydney.

CLIMATE

Lord Howe Island has a subtropical climate, with mild to warm summers with fairly regular rain, and wetter, cool to mild winters. There is a gradual transition from summer to winter conditions and vice versa. Average maximum temperatures rage from between 17C and 20C in the winter to between 24C and 27C in the summer. Average minimum temperatures range from between 12C and 15C in the winter to between 18C and 22C in the summer.  The humidity averages in the 60% to 70% range year round becoming more noticeable on warmer summer days than in the cooler winter months.  Although the Island has a reasonably high rainfall, with an annual average and median of about 1600mm, the driest months are from November to February.

Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island remained uninhabited for millions of years and there is no record of Indigenous Australians having ever lived on this chain of small islands that occur in the Tasman Sea, 4,350 miles northeast of what is now Sydney. 

LOCATION

Lord Howe Island is a small island in the Tasman Sea 600km east of the Australian mainland and 700km northeast of Sydney.

CLIMATE

Lord Howe Island has a subtropical climate, with mild to warm summers with fairly regular rain, and wetter, cool to mild winters. There is a gradual transition from summer to winter conditions and vice versa. Average maximum temperatures rage from between 17C and 20C in the winter to between 24C and 27C in the summer. Average minimum temperatures range from between 12C and 15C in the winter to between 18C and 22C in the summer.  The humidity averages in the 60% to 70% range year round becoming more noticeable on warmer summer days than in the cooler winter months.  Although the Island has a reasonably high rainfall, with an annual average and median of about 1600mm, the driest months are from November to February.

With sculpted mountain peaks rising dramatically from jewel-toned waters, Lord Howe Island is a place of extraordinary contrasts - often referred to as ‘the last paradise’.

World Heritage listed in 1982 for its unique beauty and diversity, remarkable geology and its rare collection of birds, plants and marine life, Lord Howe is surrounded by the world’s southernmost coral reef. Crystal clear waters teem with marine life and rare coral, protected as part of the Lord Howe Island Marine Park.

At any one time, there are only 400 visitors on Lord Howe, an island of unspoilt beauty where life is relaxed and unhurried.

Lord Howe island is roughly crescent-shaped, about 11 km long and 2 km wide. It is an eroded remnant of a seven million-year-old shield volcano. The crescent of the island protects a coral reef and lagoon. Mount Lidgbird (777 m) and Mount Gower (875 m) dominate the south end of the island.

Until the construction of the Lord Howe Island Airport in 1974, the only way to reach the island was by sea or by flying boat from Rose Bay in Sydney, landing on the lagoon. Today, the island is serviced by daily flights, but there are only 400 visitors on Lord Howe at any time, together with a resident population of around 350. As such, Lord Howe is an uncrowded island of unspoilt beauty.

With bicycles the best way to get around and no mobile phone reception, it’s easy to fall into the leisurely pace of the island, but there are plenty of activities to choose from, including:

• Strolling through native Kentia palm and Banyan tree forests or along deserted golden sand beaches (there are 11 to choose from).

• Exploring the island by bicycle

• Snorkelling over pristine coral reefs, right off the beach.

* Trekking up Mt Gower, a gruelling but rewarding eight-hour exercise described as one of the best one-day hikes in the world.

• Exploring the reef. At low tide, grab a pair of sandshoes and walk out on the rock platform to see the coral and fish in the rock pools at Middle beach or hand feed fish at Neds Beach.

• Scuba diving. More than 50 sites – teeming with fish, colourful coral and green turtles – attract diving enthusiasts from around the world.

• Bird-watching - the island has some of the world’s best seabird watching, and the birds have little fear of humans.

• Fishing – charter boats take guests out for world-class fishing, where catching kingfish and other fine sport fish is guaranteed.

Lord Howe was never part of a continent and almost half the island's native plants are endemic, one of the best known is the Kentia Palm. 

The island is an important breeding ground for sea and land birds and over 400 species of fish and 80 species of coral are to be found in the waters surrounding the island.

The distinctive Balls Pyramid is a rocky islet located 23 km south of Lord Howe Island, and is also the remnant of an eroded volcano. It is the tallest volcanic stack in the world, one of many stacks that form islets in the area.

Off the grid luxury

Off the grid luxury
Celebrated as the pinnacle of luxury on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, Capella Lodge rests atop romantic Lovers Bay, at the foot of the imperious mountain twins rising dramatically above. An inspired architectural design welcomes spectacular views of the ocean, reef and mountains into the Lodge and a feeling of relaxed sophistication flows throughout, attracting the discerning experiential traveller and guests seeking a civilised sub-tropical island escape. Watch video »

Capella Lodge

Capella Lodge
At Capella Lodge, nine contemporary beach-style suites, personal service, exceptional dining and the option to enjoy a range of activities combine to deliver a unique and exclusive Lord Howe experience. Find out more »

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