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Vacation - Norfolk Island
Vacation Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island is a part of the Australian external territories and is located between Australia and New Zealand.
The Norfolk Island pine tree is a native plant of the Island and also it's symbol.
Norfolk Island was a penal colony twice, at first just as a place to house convicts, then later as a location for harder criminals, thus becoming quite repressive.
Today the Island is a tourists paradise. The cleanest water you will ever see, and time travels so slowly that the cows have right of way on the roads!
Norfolk Island has it's own government but under Australian control.
Norfolk Islanders do not pay Australian income tax.
Colleen McCullough the well known Australian novelist who wrote "The Thorn Birds" "Morgan's Run" and "Masters of Rome" lives on Norfolk Island and loves it.
There is a Polynesian style to the food and people of Norfolk Island, the people being mainly British, Tahitian or a combination of both.
Helen Reddy lived on the Island for some time, but was denied long term residence.
There are only 1,853 people live on the Island, most of them are Christians.
Old Cottage on Norfolk Island
Tourism is the main income for Norfolk Island. The languages spoken are English and the local language which is a mixture of olde world seafarer English and Tahitian.
The Island has just a few (50) miles of road, no rail or waterway transport and is very peaceful and quiet apart from the sound of the sea. The Island in places looks like a time warp!
No McDonald or KFC outlets here! Fast food is fresh fish and local vegetables from the rich soil.
Outside deliveries are by boat, unloaded 5 tonne at a time from one of the two sheltered loading areas, one for each prevailing wind to ensure the small boats can remain still while loading the goods from the larger boat or small ship.
The maneuvering is quite skilled and attracts a small crowd of onlookers.
As you would expect the mood is friendly, people wave to each other, so you need to relax and just lay back.
Smile, you have little else you need to do today! The idea here is to take it nice and easy like the locals do, and see if you can get yourself as relaxed and happy as they are!
Sight seeing, golf, fishing or just laying back, you can't beat Norfolk Island.
The convict built Georgian buildings are used daily still, and the people enjoy their way of life without traffic lights.
Leave the keys in the car here, almost no crime on the Island, although there were two murders there a while back which shocked not only Norfolk Islanders but all of Australia.
It is highly unlikely to happen again for another hundred years or so in my opinion... this place is safe by comparison to anywhere I can think of.
For a more complete view of Australia, why not visit our Vacation Guide?
- Australian Vacation Guide
The Australian Vacation Guide will show you the best places to visit in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Canberra (ACT)
