10 of the best things to do on Lord Howe Island

From exploring misty peaks and underwater worlds to beach-hopping and fish-feeding, Lord Howe Island is a paradise for the adventurer and the nonchalant alike.

Cast off from the New South Wales coast and voluntarily maroon yourself on a glittering island paradise. Lord Howe’s pristine waters backdropped by looming mountains somehow conjure the intoxicating feeling that you’ve stumbled upon a truly lost world. Ancient and entirely untethered from the everyday, the best things to do on Lord Howe Island range from plunging into gemstone waters and communing with native species.

Slip into the underwater metropolis of the world’s southernmost coral reef to watch its high-vis beauty or scale moody Mount Gower to wander an enchantingly mist-draped forest. Whether you love to slow it right down or wind things up with a heart-pounding adventure, these are the must-do activities to enjoy before unwinding in your tropical accommodation.

Best time to go to Lord Howe Island

Explore this lush island on two wheels. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The easy answer is that there’s no perfect time to go to Lord Howe, as it’s perennially perfect. But while the temperature is ‘pleasant’ year-round, if you like it on the warmer side, you might opt for summer with average temperatures of 25 degrees. The most popular time to visit, however, is between September and May. Winter, on the other hand, is quieter and you’ll still enjoy plenty of warm and sunny days with a minimum of 12–14 degrees and a water temp that hovers around 18-degrees.

How to get to Lord Howe Island

scenic views of Lord Howe Island at sunrise

The ‘Galapagos of the South’ is rich with unique flora and fauna. (Image: tom-archer.com)

Although Lord Howe Island seems to occupy a space somewhere in the vicinity of paradise, it’s actually in NSW. Just 700 kilometres northeast of Sydney on the same latitude as Port Macquarie.

To get there, you’ll need to fly either from Sydney with QantasLink or with a charter through Eastern Air Services from the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Port Macquarie.

Things to do on Lord Howe Island

1. Experience one of the best day hikes in the world

Hike at sunrise to see spectacular island views. (Image: tom-archer.com)

The first thing you’ll notice as you fly into Lord Howe is the looming, Jurassic-looking Mt Gower. Often adorned with a foggy halo, this 875-metre sentinel dominates the island from almost every vantage.

It beckons adventurers to its fern-festooned top where a misty forest rewards hikers with glimpses of endemic woodhens and views of the surrounding waters that dazzle like polished gems.

Though ranked one of the best day hikes in the world, as a physically demanding, challenging grade 5 hike over tricky terrain, those considering climbing to Mount Gower’s summit should do so only with one of the island’s licensed guides, including Sea to Summit Expeditions guide, Jack Shick. As Lord Howe’s most experienced mountain guide, with over 2400 trips to the summit under his belt, Jack has taken walkers up the mountain regularly for over 30 years.

2. Spy Native Birdlife

a white tern resting on a tree branch, Lord Howe Island

Keep an eye out for some of the world’s rarest birds on Lord Howe Island. (Image: Destination NSW)

Seasoned twitchers will already be aware of the rich bird-watching opportunities on Lord Howe. With 14 species choosing to nest here come the breeding season, give your binoculars a spit and polish in anticipation of spotting a red-tailed tropicbird, muttonbird, and the star-attraction, one of the world’s rarest birds, the providence petrel. This seabird is so predator-free that its curiosity makes it a fascinating attraction. At dusk, if you call to the sky of circling petrels, you may be able to divert one from its flight to pop down and get a better look at you.

3. Explore Beneath the Sea

Discover over 60 world-class dive sites beneath Lord Howe Island. (Image: Jordan Robins)

No matter whether you’re an accredited diver or prefer to snorkel, you’ll have plenty of underwater colour to ogle at this declared state marine park with 500 species of fish and 90 coral species. As you glide through the pristine waters, you’ll easily spot the high-vis kaleidoscope beneath the surface.

Perfect for kids and novice snorkellers, the calm lagoon is protected by the world’s most southern coral reef, while for divers, there are 60 sites to explore, most within a 20-minute boat ride. Keep a goggled eye out for rare and endemic species, including Spanish dancers, double header wrasse and the Ballina angelfish.

Prefer something a little more adrenaline pumping? With waters surrounding Lord Howe Island being the only place in Australia where you can view Galapagos Whaler sharks, it’s now possible to get up close by booking a Galapagos Shark experience with Dive Lord Howe or Reef n’ Beyond. These guided tours will not only provide you with fascinating facts about the majestic creatures, but also teach you how to swim safely with them.

And with freediving becoming ever more popular, Liv For the Sea is a great new way to dip your toes into this exhilarating underwater experience. From freediving training courses to day trips and private charters, founder Liv Rose will introduce you to the best underwater locations in just one breath. The season runs from November to May when visibility is at its peak.

4. Bask in some beach time

Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird as seen from Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island

Take in views of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird at Blinky Beach. (Image: tom-archer.com)

If a good book beckons – this is a holiday after all – unfurl your towel and pop your beach brolly for a sun-soaked session on the sand.

Whether it’s swimming in the lagoon, surfing at Blinky Beach, or spotting turtles and exploring the seclusion of Old Settlement, you’ll find the right stretch of shore to suit your vibe.

Hungry for more? As well as being the best spot for snorkelling on the island, Ned’s Beach is where you’ll find the friendliest fish in the country. You need only wade into the glittering waters here before you’re immediately swarmed by fish, mouths agape and waiting for you to deliver dinner.

The mullet, wrasse, garfish and silver drummers, among others, will nibble right out of your hand, making it a wildly thrilling experience for all ages. Grab a handful of approved fish food from the dispenser on the beach and swim in to wait on these finned diners. You can also hire snorkel gear from the beach, simply leave your money in the honesty box.

5. Quench your island thirst

filling a glass with tap beer at Lord Howe Island Brewery

Lord Howe Island Brewery pours experimental brews made from unique foraged finds. (Image: Heidi Morris)

One of the most popular watering holes for locals, Lord Howe Island Brewery has special permission by the Permanent Park Preserve to scour the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Island for unique ingredients to pop in their hops. The brewers then send these foraged finds off for testing before fermenting them to create experimental flavours. Often host to live music and events, Lord Howe Island Brewery provides a shady spot to taste the effervescence of their efforts while snacking on pizza, fresh from their woodfired oven.

Gin more your thing? Get down to Lord Howe Island distilling Co for a behind-the-scenes look to learn about at how the island’s first distillery produces its award-winning small batch gins. Made using wild and endemic botanicals found on the island, gin from the distillery’s range can be sampled during a guided tasting session with co-founder, Anthony Riddle, including those such as Wild Lemon and Hibiscus, Mountain Rose, and Reef Gin.

6. Check out Balls Pyramid

a bird flying above the Balls Pyramid on Lord Howe Island

Balls Pyramid stands 551 metres high. (Image: Destination NSW/Eugene Tan)

As far as rock formations go, Balls Pyramid is fairly spectacular on account of it being the tallest sea stack on the planet at 551 metres high. Jutting out like a giant spearhead 23 kilometres southeast of the island, you can spot the stack from lofty vantages around the island, but it’s well worth taking a boat charter to get face-to-rockface with it.

It also happens to be one of Australia’s best scuba diving sites with its basalt walls plunging to the depths below and providing shelter for all manner of sea life from turtles to dolphins and marlin. And for those who love fishing, while the marine park surrounding Lord Howe Island is off limits for commercial fishing, Ball’s Pyramid is one of the best spots offshore for recreational anglers to hook kingfish, tuna, and wahoo, with several chartered boat operators available to take you there.

7. Transform on a wellness retreat

a woman doing some yoga on Lord Howe Island

Find Zen on a meditative retreat with Lord Howe Yoga. (Image: Emily Spirling)

Nirvana gets a little closer when you’re staying on tranquil Lord Howe, but you can shorten the distance between you and your contentment goals further with a yoga and wellness retreat. Karma Being’s five-night retreat that packages up daily yoga, meditation and breathwork, as well as most meals, a snorkel tour and transfers, among other inclusions. If you’d rather not commit to a full five days, join a casual class with Lord Howe Yoga where local instructor Nikki Belliveau will guide you through an outdoor session by the lagoon. Nikki also hosts workshops and a regular 1-day wellness retreat.

8.  Picnic like a pro

Believe it or not, one of the best things to do on Lord Howe is going for a picnic. Islanders love it so much there are dedicated picnic areas and BBQ facilities dotted all around the island.

You could pack your own, but if you want to experience a true taste of Lord Howe, why not let an award-winning local picnic operator do it for you? Taking out Gold for Excellence in Food Tourism at the NSW Tourism Awards in 2023, and Silver for Excellence in Food Tourism at the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards, Love Lord Howe’s Couples or Small Group Picnics set up includes a low table, cushions, crockery, cutlery, glassware and a delicious grazing platter. Setting up in the best location on the day, there’s also the option to add champagne, wine and soft drinks.

9. Walk on the wildside

hikers taking the cliffside walk up Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island

Conquer the cliffside trail up Mount Gower. (Image: Tourism Australia)

While Mount Gower is the beast to conquer, Lord Howe Island’s other beautiful peaks, trails and beaches also deserve your attention. Take a guided tour with Lord Howe Island’s newest walking tour operator, Wildside Walks. With a background in environmental restoration and conservation, founder Jae De Clouett offers informative full and half-day tours to some of the island’s best and lesser-known gems, including Valley of the Shadows, Goat House Cave, Northern Hills, and Wildside Walks’ latest offering, Mount Gower Saddle Trek.

Alternatively, wander the island yourself. See here for the best walks on Lord Howe.

10. Take to the dark skies

Did you know Lord Howe is one of Australia’s best stargazing destinations? This year, the island will celebrate its dark sky status with the introduction of Dark Sky Festival. The inaugural event, planned to take place this year, from April 26 to May 1 will include events such as expert-led stargazing and astrophotography workshops, a Dark Dining experience, a nocturnal wildlife walk with a local naturalist, panel discussion Science Talks, a Stargazing Yoga and Wellbeing Experience, and Dancing Under the Stars.

Now read our guide to everything Lord Howe Island.

Originally written by Lara Picone with updates by Bonita Grima

At Lord Howe’s inaugural Dark Sky Festival, we learn how this island paradise is on track to be certified not only as an International Dark Sky Place, but Australia’s first Dark Sky Island.

Lord Howe Island could become the country’s first official Dark Sky Island, according to a renowned advocate for the preservation of dark skies. Marnie Ogg, along with her astronomer husband Fred Watson, was responsible for getting NSW’s Warrumbungles designated Australia’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2016.

Astrotourism is a fast-growing travel trend. (Image: Gavin Heatherington-Tait)

Ogg, director of astro tourism company Dark Sky Traveller and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, spoke on a panel to a gathering of astronomy enthusiasts, nature lovers and holidaymakers at the Lord Howe Island Brewery in April 2025. The science talk formed part of Lord Howe Island’s inaugural Dark Sky Festival.

“It would just be a beautiful badge not only for tourism but for conservation,” she said.

What is a Dark Sky Island, and why is it important?

A Dark Sky Island has little to no pollution obscuring the starry skies. (Image: Eliot Drezet)

A Dark Sky Island is part of the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program that certifies communities, parks and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect their dark skies through responsible lighting and public education.

Since Flagstaff, Arizona, was declared the first International Dark Sky Place in 2001, the program has expanded to include over 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies around the world.

The benefits of preserving our dark skies are manifold, as societies are becoming increasingly aware of the damaging effects of light pollution and how it affects not only our ability to observe stars but also ecosystems, wildlife and our own human health.

If Lord Howe becomes a Dark Sky Island, it will join a global roster of Dark Sky Islands, including Sark in the Channel Islands, which was first designated in 2011.

“Sark is like Lord Howe, in a way, except that they don’t have cars at all – they just have tractors and bikes,” said Ogg. “They have a thriving community of people who go there because they can see beautiful dark skies at night and go back in time to really experience life in a night environment.”

Are there Dark Sky Places in Australia already?

Kestrel Nest Eco Hut dark sky approved lodge

The off-grid Kestrel Nest is Australia’s first international DarkSky-approved lodge. (Image: Grant Hardwick)

Australia is already home to seven official Dark Sky Places, including Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park (designated 2016); The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary in outback Queensland (2019); the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve in South Australia (2019); and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in SA’s Flinders Ranges (2023).

In 2024, the coastal town of Carrickalinga on the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA became Australia’s first Dark Sky Community, and Sydney’s Palm Beach Headland became our first Urban Night Sky Place. In April 2025, Kestrel Nest EcoHut became the country’s first DarkSky-approved lodging. Located on Highland Farm and Woodland in NSW’s Eastern Riverina region, this off-grid property is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment it’s part of.

What will becoming an International Dark Sky Place mean for Lord Howe Island?

Lord Howe is a haven for stargazers. (Image: Eliot Drezet)

Lord Howe’s fabulously starry skies already make the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island one of Australia’s premier stargazing destinations.

A designation as a Dark Sky Island would cement its reputation, attracting further mindful tourists to a place that famously limits its visitor numbers to 400 at any one time to preserve the fragile ecosystem and pristine landscape.

“Astronomy-based tourism brings a traveller who is very conservation-minded,” said Ogg. “They help and support the community.”

It would also extend the tourism season, spreading the economic benefits throughout the year and giving travellers to the island more options when planning. “Where you might not be doing swims and dives and trips up Mt Gower [in winter], you could be sitting under a night sky.”

And while there is no official timeline right now for when Lord Howe might become an official Dark Sky Island, Ogg says it already meets much of the criteria, and the road map to designation will be a fairly straightforward one.

“The biggest benefit with Lord Howe is that there is a lot that doesn’t need to be undone,” she said. When we talk about a lot of Dark Sky Places, they might have to retrofit streetlights, pull out lights from buildings or talk to residents about how they use light. That could take years. But it won’t here. Lord Howe is so far along the track.”

Central to an application – which costs US$250 (A$380) to lodge with non-profit organisation DarkSky International – is the creation of four events a year, Ogg explained, which could be anything from a letterbox drop to raise awareness of dark skies (covering anything from the impacts on animals and people to cost savings and good lighting principles) to a major event in the calendar like Lord Howe Island’s new Dark Sky Festival.

When is the next Dark Sky Festival on Lord Howe Island?

Being in the light of stars is an artful enjoyment and encourages stress relief.

The next Dark Sky Festival on Lord Howe Island will run between 16 and 23 May 2026.

Organiser Danielle Nicolson was inspired to launch the festival after winning gold at the 2024 Australian Tourism Awards for Excellence in Food Tourism with her business, Love Lord Howe. “While there, I met organisers of festivals in other remote regions and was moved by their passion and the impact these events had on their communities,” she explains. “The idea for a ‘Dark Sky Festival’ quickly emerged as it strongly aligns with our Island’s conservation values.”

“Next year, we’re planning even more immersive activities and experiences,” Nicolson continues. “The goal is not only celebrating and educating people about the importance of night sky conservation but also supporting local businesses by boosting tourism during the quieter season.”

Flight, accommodation and event ticket packages are available through Oxley Travel.

10 of the best things to do on Lord Howe Island

From exploring misty peaks and underwater worlds to beach-hopping and fish-feeding, Lord Howe Island is a paradise for the adventurer and the nonchalant alike.

Best time to go to Lord Howe Island

How to get to Lord Howe Island

Things to do on Lord Howe Island