Norfolk Island Part 4

 Not much longer of our holiday left. Today was our last full day on the Island. 

Deb and I started off with a walk in the National Park - up the Bridle Path and turned off to Bird Rock- more steep up and downs but great views. 

We headed out for the days activities, stopping off at the op shop where Kerrie picked up a lovely red felt hat- very stylish.

We headed up to Palm Glen in the National Park which had some gentler slopes and did the walks there. Very green and some lovely tree ferns.

In the afternoon we did a Taste of Norfolk Tour. We had an interesting guide, he got us bogged, had us in stitches at times with his commentary- he was great and had some great local knowledge.

On of our stops was at Brook the Beekeeper - he had pet ducks which followed him around.

We sampled some of the local fruits along with his honey

We also learnt about salt making, tasted some local sausages, ginger beer and coconut pie.

For  our last dinner on the island we went out to the Bounty Grill which was very nice.

The next morning it was time to pack up. Deb and I walked down to Ball Bay.

We had the use of the car for the day till it was time to head to the airport. We had breakfast in town, did a bit more exploring around the Kingston area. This was a photo of one of the originally houses from the First Settlement- most of those buildings had been destroyed.

We pulled up at one lookout only to have a herd of chickens and rooster follow our car and surround us when we got out.

I enjoyed one more walk along a beach- we don't get that chance very often.

Then we filled up with petrol- it was $2.90 a litre, cost us around $70 to fill up but not bad for a week of driving around between the three of us.

These were some of the little Japanese Farm trucks that were very popular on the island.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Norfolk

Hello Sydney

Catch the bus back to Canberra and back to reality ( and the cold) after our lovely Norfolk Island adventure.

Norfolk Island Part 3

 Lovely sunrise to start the day and lovely sunset to finish the day. Deb and I headed out early and did the bushwalk up to Captain Cook Memorial- lots of ups and downs so our quads got a work out.

This is our hire car for the week- you leave your keys in the car all the time and don't lock the house!

We headed up the Bridle Track from Red Rock Road and walked up to the Captain Cook Monument. Lovely coastal views, cliff top walks and lots of steep up and downs!

After recovering from our walk we headed into town and visited the Cyclorama- a 360 degree painting depicting the history of the Mutiny on the Bounty. Well worth a visit.

Then it was time for a Devonshire tea at the Hilli Cafe

We had a Convict Tour which took us down to the Kingston area where we learnt a lot about life for the convicts and the history of the area. Some pretty horrific treatment was metered out, with the occasional commandant that tried to be reformist but they were few and far between. 

Lots of ruins from the Second Settlement

View from Kingston Pier

Some old headstones in the cemetery

We had an Island Fish Fry booked for another night but that was cancelled so had to head out to On Da Cliff not long after we got back from our Convict Tour- it was a full day.

Lovely sunset shots from Kerrie.

We had Island Dancers and an abundance of food. The local fish- trumpeter was delicious.

The next morning we took Kerrie on our morning walk, we drove out to a few places including Two Chimneys Reserve, then Kerrie drove into town for a coffee and we walked home.

Ball Bay- Kerrie drove her but Deb and I walked up and down the windy road a couple of times it was a lovely spot- walking distance from Whalers Watch.

We headed into town to check out the weavers at the Golden Orb and to check out some of the shops.

We then had a Glass Bottom Boat tour  down at Emily Bay but it was cancelled as it was too rough and rather windy.

So instead we did a bit more exploring . We climbed up the 200 steps to Flagstaff Hill and got a lovely view up the valley of Arthursville.

Drove over Bloody Bridge built by convicts

Then headed up to Cascade Falls, did a lovely drive along Prince Phillip Drive

Then wandered around the Cascade Falls area and Cockpit Falls it was very pretty.

Final stop before it got dark was the Cascade Wharf

Norfolk Island Adventure Part 2

 The first 4 days were lovely and sunny and calm, we were missing out on minus 6 at home while the locals were complaining about the cold. Back at Prinke soaking up the sun!

We went exploring the island- first stop was the Botanic Gardens

Then up to Mt Pitt Lookout and a walk across to Mt Bates which is the highest point on the island. Lovely views

After lunch we headed down to Emily Bay where the girls ventured in for a swim, I just paddled!

Then we explored the waterfront and the Kingston Historic Area.

Government House

Kingston Pier

One of the old ruins from the Second Settlement

Deb and I heading off for a morning walk

Went exploring the West Coast, first stop was the Hilly Goat Farm and Cottage Pottery

We found the goats and got some cheese!

More lovely ocean views from the end of Fisherman Lane, the northern most road. This is looking east.

Then we headed down to Anson Bay- it was a 10 zig zag walk down with quite a scramble at the end, but the views were worth it!

Headed south down the west coast, stopping at Puppies Point and Headland Reserve

Next stop was Hundred Acre Reserve

Found a nice resting spot with a lovely view

Some of the tall tree ferns on the way back up

And a huge Morton Bay Fig

Final stop of the day was Bumboras Beach which had a lovely board walk along the creek to take us down to the sea.

It was a great day out!