Lord Howe Island is a crescent of volcanic rock in the Tasman Sea, about 600 km east of Port Macquarie on the New South Wales coast. Two great peaks, Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, rise from its southern end above a turquoise lagoon sheltered by the world’s most southerly true coral reef.

Lord Howe Island’s lagoon and steep green mountains

The island is only about 10 km long and between 0.3 and 2 km wide, with 445 residents at the 2021 census. To protect it, no more than 400 tourists may stay at any one time. The whole island group has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982.

History and geography of Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island coastline and mountains, view one

Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball sighted the island on 17 February 1788 and named it after Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe. Permanent settlers arrived in June 1834. Today the island is part of New South Wales and has a total land area of about 14.55 km².

Lord Howe and its neighbouring islets were formed by undersea volcanic activity. UNESCO lists the group for its outstanding scenery and for its rare plants and animals, many found nowhere else on Earth. Mount Gower, at 875 m, is the highest point; Mount Lidgbird reaches 777 m.

The lagoon, the reef and Ned’s Beach

Bench overlooking a sheltered Lord Howe Island bay
Lord Howe Island lagoon and shoreline, view two

The western side of the island curves around a calm coral lagoon, where you can snorkel in calm water close to shore. The reef here sits at about 31°30′S and marks a rare meeting point of tropical coral and temperate algal reef.

On the eastern side, Ned’s Beach is the island’s favourite spot for snorkelling straight from the sand. It is famous for its friendly kingfish and large wrasse, which gather in the shallows, and for the Kentia palms and banyan trees behind the beach. The nearby sanctuary zone protects coral gardens, sea turtles and plenty of fish.

Climbing Mount Gower and other walks

Lord Howe Island peaks and coast, view three

The climb of Mount Gower is the hardest walk on the island: about 14 km return over rugged terrain, with rope-assisted sections and steep drops, taking around eight hours. The track is unmarked, so the Lord Howe Island Board requires walkers to go with a licensed guide. At the summit, a misty moss forest awaits, and woodhens are often seen near the top.

The island has easier walking tracks too, so ask locally for a route that suits your group and the weather. For a coastal walking trip on the mainland, see our Great Ocean Walk guide.

Wildlife, conservation and Ball’s Pyramid

Lord Howe Island scenery, view four

The flightless Lord Howe woodhen is the island’s conservation success story. By the 1970s fewer than 30 birds survived. After feral animals were removed between 1978 and 1984 and captive-raised birds were released, the population recovered and is now considered stable. A major rodent eradication programme followed, and the island has been considered rat-free since October 2023.

The islands are also the only major breeding site of the Providence petrel and host one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of red-tailed tropicbirds. About 23 km to the southeast stands Ball’s Pyramid, a 551 m volcanic spire. The Lord Howe Island phasmid, the world’s largest stick insect, was rediscovered there after it was feared extinct.

How to get to Lord Howe Island and when to go

Lord Howe Island landscape, view five

Flights from Sydney take less than two hours, and services also operate from other east-coast airports such as Port Macquarie. Because of the 400-visitor limit, book accommodation and flights together, well ahead of your dates. The official Lord Howe Island tourism site lists places to stay and current access.

The climate is humid subtropical and mild all year. Summer daytime highs are about 24–27 °C and winter highs 17–20 °C. Spring is a fine season for birdwatching, while winter brings quiet days and the return of the Providence petrels. For another island and reef setting in the Pacific, explore Palau’s Rock Islands.

Sources

Photos via Places to See In Your Lifetime.