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.

Golden sunsets, tropical plates and beaches that look too perfect to be real – Lord Howe Island is paradise served fresh.

Best time to go to Lord Howe Island

cycling on 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

sun rises over Lord Howe Island — 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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

3. Explore Beneath the Sea

scuba diving beneath Lord Howe Island — 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.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

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

The outback is calling, and the adventure is made all the easier with this hot new AAT Kings’ tour.

It’s the desert palette of rust-red earth and vast cobalt sky that calls you at first, for where better to get away from it all than the outback? Of course, once you start driving, taking note of all the weathered pubs, dusty tracks and tiny towns held together with humour, resilience and more corrugated iron than ever deemed possible, something else grabs a hold of you: the idea that far from the celebrated icons and landmarks associated with Australia, you’re finally immersed in an authentic slice of local life that few have ever experienced.

Ancient landscapes, proud pastoral histories, ghost towns, culinary powerhouses and a rich Indigenous heritage; there are plenty of facets to life on the land. The best way to experience all of the above with both ease and like-minded friends? AAT Kings’ new Outback New South Wales Adventurer, a 9-day small group tour. This Sydney-return itinerary is designed to connect travellers not only with iconic outback destinations, but with the characters, culture and experiences that bring each place to life.

Highlights? The Adventurer has more than a few, but here are eight to start.

1. Broken Hill

See the striking art at Living Desert and Sculptures. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Welcome to Broken Hill, where mining history, outback eccentricity and a surprisingly rich arts scene unite in a rusty desert landscape. In Australia’s first heritage-listed city, exploration is quickly rewarded. Begin with a guided walking tour taking in the city’s grand Victorian and Art Deco architecture. Later, enjoy visits to both the Broken Hill City Art Gallery and the Living Desert and Sculptures – the perfect place to enjoy the changing colours of an outback sunset. Of course, no visit to Broken Hill is complete without a stop at the historic Palace Hotel Broken Hill, famous for its role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Happily, it makes for the perfect spot for dinner.

2. White Cliffs

people in a mine in white cliffs nsw — Strap on your hardhat and head underground. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Strap on your hardhat and start spending your imaginary fortunes; White Cliffs, Australia’s oldest commercial opal field, is begging you to come in search of rare pineapple opals. Admittedly, you’re much more likely to find white opals, but the true gems of White Cliffs – where much is built underground to escape the desert heat – are everywhere.

Here, you’ll descend 13.5 metres underground into a working mine to learn about the region’s heritage, and observe how miners continue the search for these prized gemstones. Perhaps you’ll even find a couple yourself?

3. Mungo National Park

mungo national park nsw outback — Spend time in the striking, lunar-like landscape of Mungo National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

With its lunar-like landscape made up of ancient, dried lake basins and sculpted sand and clay formations, a drive into UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park is somehow two things all at once: uniquely Australian with vast outback skies, and somehow otherworldly, as though you’ve been dropped off by spaceship. At its heart lies the iconic Walls of China, a 30-kilometre sand-and-clay lunette shaped by thousands of years of erosion.

Understanding more than 40,000 years of Barkindji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa history begins with a visit to the Visitor Centre, and concludes with a sunset tour led by local Aboriginal guides. A key experience? Learning about the discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo Lady. At 40,000+ years old, these are among the oldest human remains found anywhere in the world.

4. Kinchega National Park

kangaroo in Kinchenga National Park nsw — Meet the locals of Kinchega National Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Some come to Kinchega National Park for its iconic Darling River landscapes full of birdlife and haunting river red gums; others visit for its rich First Nations and pastoral history. Your visit will encompass all of the above, with a guided tour (part of AAT Kings’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience) designed to give a deeper understanding of Barkindji cultural heritage, history and traditions.

Walk with local guide David as he shares ancestral knowledge and creation stories, and explains how native plants – through bush food and bush medicine – have sustained Indigenous communities for thousands of years. Then sit back and enjoy those views alongside native tea and sweet treats.

5. Griffith

chef at zecca restaurant in griffith — Treat your tastebuds to ‘the food bowl of Australia’. (Credit: Destination NSW)

How can you say no to a visit to a destination widely regarded as ‘the food bowl of Australia’? Shaped by fertile farmland and home to approximately 75 per cent of New South Wales’ wine grapes, this is a day to roll up your sleeves and enjoy the best gastronomy the state has to offer. Think vineyards, cellar doors, cafes and restaurants largely shaped by its multicultural heart (Griffith is not only home to over 60 nationalities, but has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry anywhere in Australia).

6. Mudgee

exterior of lower wines in mudgee nsw — Visit some of Mudgee’s best wineries. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Nestled by the Cudgegong River, Mudgee packs a big punch for a heritage country town, having carved a reputation for itself as one of the country’s leading (and award-winning) wine regions, a key epicurean destination, and a regional arts centre growing in both visibility and vibrancy.

Take a moment to enjoy the town’s 19th-century charm before heading to Lowe Family Wine Co. for a guided tasting of organic and biodynamic wine, followed by a relaxed lunch featuring a feast of homegrown and local produce. Will you walk away with bottles of Mudgee’s iconic reds under your arms? It’s a distinct possibility.

7. Silverton

see the living ghost town of silverton on AAT Kings new NSW outback tour — See the living ghost town of Silverton.(Credit: Destination NSW)

A once-booming silver mining hub, the dystopian setting for Mad Max 2, and now a tranquil settlement that’s home to around 50 people; Silverton is considered a living ghost town and remains a sight to behold.

Take time to explore its heritage streets (and perhaps take a look at the quirky Mad Max 2 Museum) and the Silverton Hotel, an iconic outback pub, before a visit to Silverton Gaol & Historical Museum. It’s home to a wealth of colonial artefacts, early mining equipment and stories from the outback’s pioneering past which will serve to anchor you firmly in place.

8. Shear Outback

man working at shear outback in nsw — Get a glimpse behind the wool curtain. (Credit: Destination NSW)

If you ever find yourself singing, “click go the shears boys, click, click, click…”, you’ve come to the right place. Shear Outback, an award-winning tourist and education attraction located in Hay, brings to life the traditions and stories of one of the outback’s most enduring industries: sheep shearing.

Here, in the heart of the Riverina, you’ll enjoy live shearing demonstrations, meet the shearers, shedhands, sheepdogs and yes, sheep, who come together to show guests exactly what it takes to provide Australians with all that glorious wool.

Discover more of Outback NSW with AAT Kings. Visit aatkings.com.

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