All arriving air services are greeted by a representative from Norfolk Island Tourism and shown to your bus transfer or hire car operator. A comprehensive Visitors Information Guide and local map is available inside the Arrivals Hall at the airport.
Located in Burnt Pine, the Visitor Information Centre is open as follows. Days Opening Times;
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 4 pm
Sat 8.30-1.30pm
Sun 8.30-1.30pm.
Accommodation
There are over 60 properties on the island ranging from hotels and luxury cottages to self contained units and budget apartments. All visitors arriving on the Island must have prebooked accommodation or be staying with friends or relatives to be able to enter Norfolk Island through immigration.
Churches
These include Church of England, Uniting, Community Church, Jehovah's Witness, Bahai, Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist. Call into the Visitors Information Centre for service times.
Climate
Subtropical. Average rainfall 1328mm per year. Lovely summer days from 24 degrees but not exceeding 28.4 degrees, nights 19-21 degrees. Idylic days mid-winter, with temperatures ranging from 12 at night to 19-21 degrees during the day.
Clothing
Comfortable and casual day and night. It's wise to pack a sweater and light nylon jacket, strong shoes for walking and a torch for night outings. Remember a hat and sunscreen.
Communications
International Direct Dialing telephones, and facsimile services are available. Public IDD coin operated booths open 24 hours. Local calls free. Only Norfolk Island phone cards are accepted. As of March 2007,a local mobile phone reception will be available on Norfolk Island with a global roaming service due at the end of 2007. There are 2 internet cafes in Taylors Road. Radio Norfolk broadcasts daily FM89.9 and AM1566. There are 2 weekly local newspapers.
Customs
Imports of fruit, vegetables, flowers and seeds are prohibited. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are also prohibited. The duty-free allowance is one litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes. As from 31 March 2007 all flights to Norfolk Island are affected by the new global airport security rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels onto international flights. The changes affect everything you can take on board, the quantity and how it must be packaged.
Departure Fee
All departing travellers must pay a $30 Departure Fee, payable at the airport on day of departure or at the Visitor Information Centre prior. Exemptions apply to those under 16 years and passengers in transit for less than 24 hours. To pay your departure fee you need to present your airline ticket or boarding pass and a completed departure card.
Driving
The general speed limit is 50km/hour, reduced to 40km/hour in the shopping centre. All livestock roaming the roads have the right of way. Driving is on the left hand side of the road and locals wave to all passing vehicles. This is called the "Norfolk wave" Visitors are encouraged to do the same.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50 cycles, three pin plug. As electricity is made locally by diesel generators, a power surge protection device is advised for electronic equipment, particularly computers.
Entry/Passport requirements.
ALL visitors travelling to Norfolk Island must have a valid passport, return airline ticket and confirmed accommodation. Australian citizens who do not have a passport can obtain a Document of Identity through Australia Post. This process for a Document of Identity is the same process as applying for a passport. Australian and New Zealand passport holders can enter Norfolk Island without any further documentation. All other International Passport holders must be able to obtain an Australian Visa for entry to Australia prior to entry to Norfolk Island.
Geographical Location
Norfolk Island is 1610kms ENE of Sydney, 1456kms ESE of Brisbane, 1063kms NNW of Auckland and 772kms SE of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a volcanic outcrop 8km long and 5km wide. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1km and 6km respectively. Norfolk Island is 3855ha.
Getting Around
Most visitors will find that a hire car is the most practical way to get around the island. Norfolk Island is one of the cheapest places on earth to hire a vehicle, with typical rates of around $20-$25 per day (plus insurance). A current license is required. There is no public transport system on the island. A taxi service is available by phoning.
Language
The language spoken on Norfolk Island is English, but you'll hear the Islanders speaking Norfolk, a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790.
Here's a taste of the local language:
Watawieh Yorlye? How are you?
Si Yorlye Morla See you tomorrow
Kushu Good
Hili Lazy
Medical
The Norfolk Island hospital provides a dental clinic, pharmacy and 24 hour emergency service. Private travel insurance is recommended, as Australian medicare does not extend to Norfolk Island.
Money Matters
The unit of exchange is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have branches at Burnt Pine. The Commonwealth Bank has an ATM. Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted.
Population
Norfolk has approximately 1800 citizens with roughly equal numbers of Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders.
Services
The Visitors Information Centre can provide a list of baby sitters and child care centres. Most accommodation places offer full laundry services and there is also a laundry service in town on Taylors Road. A faxing service is available at the Post Office. The local gym and fitness centre offers special rates to visitors. Petrol service stations are open daily until 6pm.
Shopping
Usual shopping hours are 9 am - 5 pm. Some shops are closed all day Sundays, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Supermarkets opens 7 days: Foodland Supermarket closes at 6pm, Marks Bakery closes at 8pm and Paw Paws mini mart closes at 9pm. The island markets are held every Sunday morning and offers local souvenirs, and seasonal fruit and vegetables. The Post Office and Philatelic Bureau opens Monday to Friday; NI has its own postage stamps and phone cards.
Time Difference
One and a half hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time, in summertime half an hour ahead of Sydney and one and a half hours behind New Zealand. Norfolk Island does not have daylight saving.
