NORFOLK ISLAND

Day 1 | Sunday 25 January
Arrive Norfolk Island
Flights arrive from the Australian mainland in the early afternoon. Academy Travel will organise the short transfer from Norfolk Island Airport to your accommodation. In the early evening, we meet for introductions in the hotel’s brewery before enjoying a welcome dinner in one of the island’s top restaurants. Overnight Norfolk Island (D)

Day 2 | Monday 26 January
Australia Day on Norfolk
The many “lives” of Norfolk Island are one of the reasons it is such a fascinating destination, and its small size belies its epic stories. This morning, Brad gives an introductory talk in our hotel, providing an overview of the island’s diverse and often dark history. Afterwards, there is the opportunity to join in the island’s Australia Day events, including a visit to the rarely-opened Government House (To be confirmed). After free time for lunch, we will walk to the unique “Fletcher’s Cyclorama”, a historic depiction of the Mutiny on the Bounty. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, before we join together for dinner in a nearby restuarant. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, D)

Day 3 | Tuesday 27 January
Island Tour & The Bounty
We begin our day by joining our coach for an orientation tour of the island, visiting sites such as St Barnabas Chapel, its fascinating cemetery, and Mount Pitt. Returning to the inland, we enjoy lunch together at The Boatshed restaurant at Governor’s Lodge before continuing to the Bounty Museum. In 1789, Fletcher Christian and other disaffected sailors on HMS Bounty overthrew the leadership of Lieutenant William Bligh, with nine survivors ultimately settling on remote Pitcairn Island and establishing a new community. By the mid 1800’s, the tiny island could no longer support its growing population, and the elders wrote to Queen Victoria begging for assistance. She offered them settlement on Norfolk Island, which had been deserted since the abandonment of the second convict settlement, and all 196 inhabitants of Pitcairn arrived at Norfolk on 8 June 1856. Today, a little under half of the Norfolk Island population is descended from these Bounty mutineers. Following the guided museum visit, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the Burnt Pine area. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, L)

Day 4 | Wednesday 28 January
Kingston & Convicts
Today we step back further in time to begin our detailed exploration of Norfolk’s grim convict history. First identified by Captain James Cook as a potential source of ships’ masts, using Norfolk’s towering pines, and flax for sails during his second voyage to the Pacific in 1774, from 1788 to 1814 the island was an outpost of the nascent British colony established in Port Jackson. Initial optimistic plans and hope for the success of the remote settlement were soon dashed and it was abandoned in 1814, and literally left to the dogs. A second settlement was established in 1825, to provide a place of transportation for the worst of the mainland’s convicts. For a generation, it earned a reputation as hell on earth for those that were doubly-convicted and transported to the remote colony. Many of the buildings of the second settlement remain, and today we explore the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale penal area. Included in our visit will be a guided tour of Norfolk Island Museum, comprising four separate colonial buildings. During our time in the historic area, we will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking stunning Emily Bay. In the evening, we enjoy dinner in a nearby restaurant. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, PL, D)

Day 5 | Thursday 29 January
Ruins & Cemeteries
The Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area is a World Heritage listed site and is regarded as one of the best-preserved examples of convict transportation and colonial era architecture. Today, we continue our comprehensive exploration of this area, beginning the day with a talk in the hotel before returning to Kingston and taking additional time to examine the remains of these unique buildings, including the Prisoners’ Compound, Surgeon’s Quarters, and the area surrounding the Kingston Pier. Following a picnic lunch at the stunning Cook’s Landing site, we visit the fascinating and beautifully positioned historic cemetery. After returning to our hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, PL)

Day 6 | Friday 30 January
Townships & Authors
This morning there is the opportunity for independent exploration and relaxation. The main township of Burnt Pine is a comfortable walk from our hotel, and you may wish to peruse some of the tax-free shops or visit local galleries. We meet in the early afternoon to vist the rural property of “Out Yenna”. Home to iconic Australian author Colleen McCullough and her Islander husband for over 35 years, they created a hideaway that ensured she had the perfect environment for her writing. Today “Out Yenna” includes artefacts gathered from the couple’s extensive travels, as well as a typical extensive island garden, and our guided tour will explore the main features of the property. On returning we enjoy a wood-fired pizza dinner together in our hotel. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, D)

Day 7 | Saturday 31 January
Gardens & Beaches
After a leisurely start to the day, we depart by coach for the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden. Located within the National Park in the north of the island, the Garden showcases unique plants that are endemic to Norfolk Island. Originally founded by a private resident and now part of the Norfolk Island National Park for nearly 40 years, the Garden preserves one of the last remaining areas of subtropical rainforest, which once covered the majority of the island, as well as nurturing a collection of the island’s rare and endangered plant species. Our visit includes a private, guided walk through the main areas of the Garden, as well as time to explore the comprehensive Discovery Centre, which provides further detailed information about Norfolk’s fauna and flora. Following free time for lunch, you may wish to join your Tour Leader for a swim in Emily Bay Lagoon, before we meet for the coach transfer to our farewell dinner in one of the island’s atmospheric restaurants. Overnight Norfolk Island (B, D)

Day 8 | Sunday 1 February
Markets & Departure
Before we farewell Norfolk Island, there is the opportunity this morning to enjoy the Sunday Arts and Craft Markets in Burnt Pine. It’s a great opportunity to discover locally made handcrafts, jewellery and artwork, as well as to enjoy live entertainment with perhaps some homemade cake and coffee. Returning to the hotel, there will be an airport transfer at midday to meet the departing early afternoon flight to the mainland. (B)