Norfolk Island history comes to life for Kiwis

Established by convicts and settled by descendants of The Bounty mutineers, Norfolk Island is a destination with a unique and complex history ready to be discovered, with a history the island’s inhabitants are immensely proud of and one they have worked hard to preserve and share with visitors.

Through a range of tours offered by the Norfolk Island Museum, travellers can immerse themselves in the fascinating stories that helped shape the early years on the 40sq km island, with Norfolk’s great-value $20 museum pass letting you visit three museums over a number of days and includes two historical tours, with free morning tea.  School-aged children go for free.

The courtroom dramas of Norfolk Island’s most infamous characters are also recreated twice-weekly at The Trial of the Fifteen play in the Museum’s Theatre, formerly the Convict Protestant Chapel. The show runs on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4.45pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years.

The Museum also offers four unique group tours.

Tour one looks at the Flagship of the First Fleet, HMS Sirius, and delves into Norfolk Island’s maritime history.

The Kingston Unearthed tour looks at the archaeological digs that have been carried out around the Island and the artefacts uncovered, while a third tour, History for History Lovers, tours a variety of the Island’s historical sites.

The final offering, Georgian Architecture on Quality Row, looks at the details of the Commissariat Store, the Old and New Military Barracks, private residences and Government House.

All of the tours start with welcome cocktails on the verandah of historic No. 10 Quality Row and are followed by an orientation of the Kingston area, The Trial of the Fifteen historic play and a look at the First Settlement. They also include a farewell dinner in the historic former Royal Engineers Office. For more details see www.museums.gov.nf

After you’ve filled your heads with historical facts, you can unwind at some of the beautiful sub-tropical island’s many great restaurants and pick up low-duty bargains at the quality shops.

If the group leader assembles a group of more than 20 full paying adults the leader can qualify for free travel and accommodation. For details email Rebecca at The Travel Centre – [email protected]

About Norfolk Island:  Discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, Norfolk Island was first settled as a British penal colony in 1788 through to 1856. On June 8, 1856, the island was re-inhabited by a community from Pitcairn Island, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.   Known today as Norfolk Islanders, they form a majority of the 1,800 resident population. Norfolk Island is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery, colourful history, sporting and cultural activities, convict heritage and tax-free shopping. 

Air New Zealand flies to Norfolk Island on Sundays and Thursdays.  For bookings and more information freephone 0800 737 000 or visit www.airnewzealand.co.nz. 

For general information contact Norfolk Island Tourism. Phone 008 359 4373 fax +67 232 3109, email [email protected] or visit www.norfolkisland.com.au

Report by The Mole