Lord Howe Island Facts, NSW
Lord Howe Island Facts
Lord Howe Island is probably Australia’s last unspoilt island paradise. The island is pretty impressive close up and boasts intriguing statistics. Here are some facts on Lord Howe Island:
How big is Lord Howe Island?
- Fact: The archipelago consists of 28 islands of varying size.
- Fact: Lord Howe Island is about six miles (11kms) long, just over a mile (two kilometres) wide at its widest point and a fraction of a mile (0.3kms) wide at its narrowest point. The island is 56 square kilometers.
- Fact: Balls Pyramid is the highest sea stack on the planet (551 metre tall).
- Fact: Mt Gower (the island’s tallest mountain) rises 875 meters above sea level, almost straight up from the coast. This is quite unusual in Australia, and quite a sight to be seen!
Where is Lord Howe Island?
- Fact: Lord Howe Island lies north-east of Sydney (in line with Port Macquarie) between Australia and New Zealand.
- Fact: Lord Howe Island is 600km (373 miles) east of the Australian mainland – 31° 33′ S, 159° 05′ E.
- Fact: Flights to Lord Howe Island take less than two hours from Sydney and Brisbane.
More Lord Howe Island Facts
- Fact: The population of Lord Howe is currently around 350 residents, with tourists restricted to just 400.
- Fact: The island was World Heritage Listed in 1982.
- Fact: The island airport was opened in 1975.
- Fact: There is a 25 kph speed limit (everyone waves ‘hello’ as they pass – it takes some getting used to if you’re from a big city!) and only a very limited number of cars on Lord Howe Island. There are a limited number of rental cars on the island.
- Fact: The island boasts ten different surf breaks across two sides of the island.
- Fact: The waters around the island are home to 90 coral species and an astounding 500 species of fish.
LHI Visitor Centre
Museum Complex, Corner Lagoon + Middle Beach Roads
Lord Howe Island, NSW, 2898
Telephone: (02) 6563 2114 or 1800 240 937
Lord Howe Island Weather
There is no bad time to visit Lord Howe Island. It enjoys a prime latitude that is just far enough north to be balmy all year round but not too far north to ever experience anything resembling cold. The prevailing sea breezes prevent summers from becoming too hot and the warm waters of the Tasman Sea help to keep winters mild. All in all, this place enjoys a very pleasant climate.
During the summer months of November through March, the daytime highs rarely break 25°C, with the average mercury reading around 20°C. Winters see the mercury drop to an average of 19°C from June to September though the winter average is more like 14°C.
The idyllic weather of Lord Howe Island encourages most travellers to come in the summer months, between September and June. Though a little known secret is that even in the winter months of July and August, the weather on Lord Howe Island can be remarkably refreshing. Days are often sunny and bright, while nippy nights can be warmed up with the help of a wood fire.
Rain falls all year round though there is a spike in precipitation in May, June and July. The winds blow steady most of the time, with July being the windiest month. November to February is typically the driest period and when most people plan their holiday here.
Cyclones and major storms occasionally affect Lord Howe Island weather, but they are not normal in any given year. Most of the bad storms arrive during the winter months so visitors are advised to keep abreast of the daily weather forecast for incoming storms.
Getting To Lord Howe Island
Nearest Airport: Lord Howe Island
Australia is about 370 miles (600kms) from Lord Howe Island so all of the commercial transportation here originates there. Flights take just two hours from either Sydney or Brisbane, the main cities of departure, which are more or less equidistant from the archipelago. Qantaslink operates all of the flights, with year-round service from both cities.
The flights from Sydney depart several times a week, while the flights from Brisbane typically only run at weekends. Flight time is under two hours. Qantas also adds seasonal service from Port Macquarie from February to June and again from September to December.
Qantas will fly you to Lord Howe Island on a wide-bodied, modern Dash-8 Turbo Prop aircraft. Complimentary in-flight refreshments are provided on all services. With Qantas’ extensive network of domestic and international routes, it is easy to make a connecting flight from most major Australian and global destinations.
About Lord Howe Island Facts
- State: New South Wales
