Norfolk Island

Check-in at Sydney International Airport for your flight to Norfolk Island. Meet your Ross Tour leader, Graham Ross, at the departure gate. On arrival at Norfolk Island we’ll transfer to our hotel, Governor’s Lodge Resort. A light lunch will be served on arrival. Welcome Dinner included tonight.

This morning we drive Mt Pitt, the highest point of Norfolk Island, followed by a guided tour and moring tea in the Botanic Gardens. Lunch is included today. Pitcairn Settlers Village this afternoon will show us the proud history of the Pitcairn Island Settlers. Walk through the gracious Bailey homestead and gardens, barn, dairy and outbuildings. The Museum is filled with items of nostalgic and historic interest including the oldest working forge in the Pacific.

World-renowned author, Colleen McCulloch, called Norfolk Island home for almost 36 years. She and her husband, Ric Robinson, created a luxurious hideaway where Colleen wrote some of her most powerful titles including “Tim”, “The Thornbirds” and “Morgan’s Run”. We’ll visit their magnificent home, filled with their priceless collections of artefacts gathered from their travels all over the world. High Tea is next, at Forrester Court, set in a glorious spot overlooking Cascade Bay.

An early morning walk through the National Park this morning to Captain Cook’s Memorial. The famous Norfolk Island Pine is abundant – other endemic species include the Norfolk Island palm, many ferns, a native passionfruit and the Norfolk Island hibiscus. One bird you may hear is the wedge-tailed shearwater, whose ghost-like, moaning calls echo around the island at night. BBQ breakfast is included. This afternoon, meet some local gardeners and their private gardens. Final stop is ‘The Homestead’, adjacent to the 100 Acre Forest and giant Moreton Bay figs. This working farm embraces the ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy as well as sourcing linecaught fish from the clean wild waters. Dinner will be served here this evening.

A cruise this morning within the lagoons of Emily and Slaughter Bay. Norfolk Island’s coral reef attracts a diversity of marine life; beautiful coral gardens and colourful fish in crystal clear waters of the lagoon. Progressive dinner tonight, a roving three courses served in some lovely homes and a great way to meet the locals. Discover each family’s history and hear all about their day to day life on Norfolk Island. Many of the hosts have surnames like Christian, Adams, Quintel and McCoy, and are the descendants of Bounty Mutineers.

Free morning. Optional ‘Duty-Free’ shopping in Burnt Pine’s town centre. Next stop is ‘World Heritage Listed’ Kingston. Learn about the first settlers, the Polynesians who came 900 years ago. Kingston and Arthur’s Vale, together, is one of Australia’s premier heritage sites, a living showcase of Polynesian, convict and Pitcairn history. This site conbtributes to the life, the identity and the culture of the Norfolk Island community. Picturesque with Georgian buildings and evocative ruins. Farewell Dinner tonight is a Sunset Cliff Top Fish Fry. Fresh fish are prepared the local way and accompanied with a feast of island dishes.

Free morning before our transfer to the airport for our homeward flight.