Lord Howe Island Adventure: 6 Incredible Days of Nature, Connection and Ocean Bliss!
Tucked away in the Tasman Sea, just under two hours’ flight from Sydney, Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed gem like no other. This crescent-shaped volcanic remnant is home to dramatic basalt peaks, lush forests filled with endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, and one of the world’s most untouched coral reef systems, teeming with marine life.
With fewer than 400 visitors allowed at any one time, the island offers a rare sense of remoteness and serenity. Towering ancient rainforests, thousands of seabirds, and turquoise lagoons set the stage for an immersive nature experience that blends adventure with moments of wonder.
Big Heart Adventures’ inaugural guided tour to Lord Howe Island was one of our most memorable island adventures yet! Here’s what unfolded across five unforgettable days.
A Journey to the Edge of Paradise
After a weather-induced delay in Sydney, we finally boarded a small plane with nervous giggles and made the two-hour flight to Lord Howe.
Touching down on the Island with wide eyes and open hearts, we were greeted by subtropical drizzle and warm smiles. It was a brief introduction to the island’s one main road as we dropped off our bags at our apartments before starting our Valley of the Shadows Walk with our local guide, Jae.
In the dampness and drizzle, we walked among the giant banyan trees and palms, discovering Middle Beach and hearing stories about the island’s rodent history and eradication program, the kentia palm industry, and conservation efforts. After the drenching of a very heavy rain shower, our group headed out of the forest to dry off by the beach and enjoy free time before dinner at the Coral Cafe.
Spirits stayed high despite the rain and initial delays, proving that when it comes to adventure, attitude is everything. This group has shown resilience and acceptance of the weather we cannot change.
Island time is here!
Ocean Encounters and Snorkel Surprises
Our first full day on the island brought clear skies and salty air. Today was all about the ocean! And dogs!!
After breakfast, some of us headed to a free demonstration on the detector dogs who protect Lord Howe’s delicate ecosystem. These dedicated four-legged friends sniff out rodents and other small pests to help preserve the fragile and unique ecosystem. We met Willow, Tilly and Seb, the spaniels who literally ran around us in circles sniffing out planted scents to demonstrate how they alert their handlers to the target. Incredible!!!
Others enjoyed an early morning snorkel at Ned’s Beach, while some walked or hired bikes to explore the island’s quiet roads. Then it was time for our group to experience a 2-hour glass-bottom boat trip with the most incredible snorkelling in the lagoon at Coral Gardens.
From colourful clams to tiny reef sharks, a myriad of fish, sea urchins and a ray – snorkelling here was next level!! Nature truly dazzled us, and it was an incredible immersion into the marine playground of Lord Howe.
It was a bumpy ride on the boat, and if it wasn’t for the distractions from nature, it may have been a messier boat ride for some of us!! However, the elation we felt after seeing what we saw and experiencing the underwater world left us in absolute awe.
There were a few nerves, especially when sharks made an appearance—but even those out of their comfort zone jumped in. Proud doesn’t begin to describe how we felt. (FYI… the sharks were tiny and not the least bit interested in us!)
We finished our day with dinner at the Golf Club with, you guessed it, seafood with a twist!!
Trail Time and Turtle Sightings
With the sun (and humidity) out in full force, our next day took us back onto the trails to walk the scenic route from Ned’s Beach to North Bay. It was almost too warm for a hiking day, but we knew it was changing, so we made the most of it – AND we knew we would finish with time in the ocean – a great recovery!
We had some moderate climbs to Malabar and Kim’s Lookout, which were still a bit slippery from the recent rain. The views back towards Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird were spectacular so, sweaty and happy, we soaked in panoramic vistas.
Our group did an incredible job of taking it all in their stride and matching up some of the training walks with the day’s terrain. We work hard to design our training walks to be trip-specific, and it’s so rewarding when our walkers and their muscle memory make the connection.
It was just under 300m of elevation, and with the thermos and tea/coffee waiting for us at North Bay, along with our boat ride home, it was happy days!!
After lunch, it was time to swap out our hiking gear for swimmers, then it was straight back to the water. It was time to take the boat via two jaw-dropping snorkelling spots – one with a green sea turtle and the other teeming with corals, fish, sea cucumbers, clams, starfish and sharks (this one a little bigger but still harmless).
Fulfilled and glowing, we shared stories over dinner before sinking into restful sleep.
Fungi, Stargazing and Island Magic
While the weather was about to turn wild again, it didn’t stop us! A cold front was predicted to hit around lunchtime, so we squeezed in a quick hike to Transit Hill. Opting for a shorter section of trail from Blinkys Beach to the Museum, climbing the steep incline up to where a spectacular view greeted us. We could see the looming, ominous clouds and the weather that was soon to roll in, yet there was still an opportunity for nature immersion, fungi finding, and bird calls.
Winding our way back down the trail, our group finished by midday, close enough to the Coral Cafe for a cuppa before a few last-minute dashes to shops, finding more fungi (and maybe a fairy garden!), or locating the bar just in time for when the rain and wind hit with some force.
The rain chased us indoors for most of the afternoon, but some of us found a dry weather window to sneak in an island run, bike ride or a snorkel at Ned’s Beach.
A delicious dinner at the Coral Cafe rounded off another nature-inspiring day on the island, with some adventurers staying up to enjoy a guided nocturnal walk.
Our visit coincided with the Lord Howe Island Dark Sky Festival – a celebration of all things astronomical, including stargazing and nocturnal activities. How’s that for perfect timing?! What a thrill it was to spot glow-in-the-dark fungi lighting up the trail, as well as geckos and many other bugs and small critters. After dark, the island’s natural world comes alive with an array of life.
Island Time
Ahhh… today on Lord Howe Island was all about free time. Island time!
So many options to choose from:
- A marine life lecture with naturalist Ian Hutton
- Yoga with the gorgeous Nikki from Lord Howe Yoga
- Snorkelling with turtles off the beach at Ned’s Beach
- Walk the length of the island and back
- Explore the island by bike
- Check out the local brewery
- Place an order for Lord Howe Island gin and get same-day delivery to your cabin
It’s easy to fill time here, and just as inviting to lie back, read and laze the hours away. Bliss!
Sunset Petrels and Farewell Feels
The week finished on a high, and for our final day, we trekked the East Coast Trail and Intermediate Hill.
This was followed by a sunset bird experience with Providence Petrels coming to land en masse during their migration season. Imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of these amazing birds circling overhead, then coming to land nearby, and allowing human interaction! Wow. Just wow!!!
Only about 60,000 Providence Petrels remain in the world. They are considered a vulnerable species, and Lord Howe Island and Philip Island in the Southwest Pacific are the only known breeding grounds in the world! Experiencing these rare seabirds was a gift none of us will forget.
What a way to wrap up our adventure! A huge thank you to our local guide, Jae. And many thanks to Nicki, Sue, Kirstie, Anita, and Jae for their contributions to the photos in this blog post.
Ready to Join Us?
Lord Howe Island is more than a destination—it’s an experience of connection, calm and coastal adventure.
If you’re craving deep nature immersion, mindful travel and an island adventure that nourishes the soul, this is your next journey.
Explore our next departure dates and book your Lord Howe Island Adventure now »
Additional Reading
Big Heart Adventures is a commercial tour operator (CTO). Registered to lead walking adventures throughout South Australia, Australia and overseas. We offer fully guided walking tours and self-guided walking adventures.
Explore more Australia Wide walks here
You can see our World Walks walks here
Read more about ‘Big Heart Adventures’ and our wellness walks
Get information on our women’s walking group ‘Wise Women Walking’
We look forward to sharing a Big Heart Adventures Walking Experience with you!
