Time difference

Norfolk Island does not have daylight saving. We are 1 1/2 hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard time, in summertime half an hour ahead of Sydney and one and a half hours behind New Zealand.

Electricity

The Norfolk Island Power House is located next to the airport and the generators are run on diesel. Our power is 240Volts AC and our power points are all three pin plugs. A power surge protection device is advised for all electronic equipment.

Hot water

Hot water is achieved in most houses on Norfolk Island by solar power, with an electric or gas booster. Some homes on the Island use gas heaters for their hot water or the old fashion braema.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phone service is now available on Norfolk as from the middle of 2007. You can purchase a local sim card at the Telecom Building which is located on New Cascade Road just past the round-a-bout. You will not be able to use your mobile phone on Norfolk if it is ‘locked’ into a plan. Global roaming will be available on Norfolk Island some time in 2009.

Public Phones

International Direct Dialing telephones and facsimile services are available. Public IDD booths are open 24 hours at Norfolk Island Telecom, as well as different areas around Norfolk Island. Most are coin operated and some also take Norfolk Island phone cards. Australia and New Zealand phone cards do not work on the Island. It now cost 10c to make a local phone call.

Hospital

Norfolk Island has one of the best hospitals in the world with great staff. The hospital provides 24 beds. The Island can also help with most of your dental needs and has a prescription dispensary.

It is recommended that you have travel insurance while you are holidaying on Norfolk Island as you are not covered by Medicare on Norfolk. In emergency situations you may need to be medivaced to Australia or New Zealand. This can cost up to $40,000 and you will NOT be covered by Medicare or any other Australian or New Zealand standard health insurances.

Language

English is the common language on Norfolk Island but the Norfolk Islanders speak their own language which is a mixture of English and Tahitian. The language was brought to the Island by the Pitcairners.