Australian Walks
Norfolk Island for all year
round walking and hiking
N
orfolk Island is the perfect year-round hiking destination. After working up a sweat on the walks and trails, just head down to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and cool off in crystalclear waters. Being a maritime climate, the weather can be changeable so it’s always good to pack an extra layer. But you’ll
28 Walking New Zealand, issue no 294
- 2022
Norfolk Island is just 805km from the tip of New Zealand and under three hours flight time from Auckland.
usually find a hat, swimmers, sunscreen and water bottle are of far more use! Best nature trails Norfolk Island National Park offers 10 well-marked walking tracks, with lengths and grades to suit every ability. You can take a rainforest hike beneath the world’s tallest tree ferns, follow coastal tracks alive with the ever-changing songs of the sea and climb summits to see the horizon in all its 360° glory. The Botanical Gardens’ easy trails, boardwalks and circuits are the perfect way for nature lovers to learn about Norfolk Island’s unique flora, while enjoying more of the island’s best views. All walks are self-guided, but if you’d like to learn more, why not sign up for a breakfast bushwalk or birdwatching tour? Speaking of tours, if you’d like a hike that’s truly on the wild side, book a half-day expedition to nearby Phillip Island, a marine and seabird sanctuary that offers amazing views back to Norfolk. Top tips for walking and hiking Bring sturdy shoes. Some trails may be uneven and can get slippery after rain. The scenery can be mesmerising, but do watch your step, especially around coastal paths and cliffs. Please stay on the tracks to avoid damaging plants and causing erosion. As cute as they are, please resist the urge to feed the wildlife, it undermines their efforts to control introduced birds and rodents. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz
