Norfolk Online

It has been often said of Norfolk Island that it is a place where you can be as busy, or do as little, as you like. As such, it is attractive to a very wide range of holiday makers. More than one time visitors often suggest that their love of Norfolk stems from the fact that it is a place of simple pleasures. And indeed it is.

You can see people walking each morning at Kingston being enchanted by that early morning sunrise at Cemetery Beach, enjoying the ambience of this true world treasure, and never tiring of the most wonderful collection of Georgian buildings in the southern hemisphere. For those who are lucky enough to have a pet, you have the choice of ‘walking the dog’ with or without a leash.

You can decide to drive into the shopping strip at Burnt Pine at peak hour, and know that it will only take you five minutes or so, And when you do, you can choose to wear your seat belt, or not. You can leave the house unlocked, and when you reach your destination you can leave your car keys in the ignition, buy some tomatoes that were picked that same morning, and pay for them at the honesty box outside ‘The Underworld’.

If you decide to have morning tea you are spoilt by having the choice of half a dozen cafes within easy walking distance from each other, where you might be fortunate to hear a discussion (in the Norf’k language) between members of one of a number of ‘kitchen cabinets’ at a table nearby.

Each Wednesday afternoon most commerce ceases and people can enjoy fishing, sea kayaking, surfing and sports of all types, or just go to an uncrowded beach for a swim in the clearest of water, an aspect of Norfolk which has to be the world’s best kept secret.

In the evening, you have the choice of many quality restaurants scattered across the island, with great food and quality wines for your pleasure. Or you could take a 10 minute drive to Puppy’s Point or Anson Bay on the western shores of the island and watch the sun set. During summer you can watch the mutton birds ‘rafting’ on the bluest of seas. Stay on until just after dark and watch these birds fly in to nest onshore. Stay on until dark and gaze in awe at the stars in a night sky which is reputedly the cleanest in the world after the Antarctic. Smog? Not here.

In a world where economic rationalism and normalisation increasingly impact on ‘ways of life’, these simple pleasures are to be treasured.

One of the best kept secrets about Norfolk Island is that there is so much to do here. With wonderful scenery, amazing and intriguing history, and great outdoor pursuits in abundance, there is enough to satisfy the most discerning and active visitor.

While the island’s tour companies offer a smorgasbord of experiences each week, the weekends might be the time to experience Norfolk Island on your own terms. There is no doubt that ‘self-discovery’ will leave you with wonderful memories of this place.

If you like being out and about in the great outdoors then you can’t go past a walk through the National Park. There to be seen is native flora and fauna, and amazing views of Norfolk’s stunning coastline and offshore islands. Or try a walk through 100 Acres Reserve at Headstone, or privately owned Simon’s Water out Steele’s Point way. For the fitter amongst us a walk down to the beach at Anson Bay is one of our real pleasures.

If you are into history then Kingston is the place for you. There are interpretative walks through the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area. It is the place first settled by Polynesians 700-600 years ago; it was the site of the first European settlement in 1788; the place for a penal settlement for the “very worst of felons” from 1814; and finally the arrival place of the Pitcairn Islanders in 1856. In many respects, KAVHA is the jewel in the island’s tourism offering. You can pick up a map (Monday to Friday), with interpretative notes, of the walks by visiting the house museum at No. 9 Quality Row. There are four walks up to three hours in duration which will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the island’s four settlements.

If you are keen on learning about the history of the modern Norfolk since the Mutiny on the Bounty, then the Pitcairn Settlers Village is a must with tours conducted by those of Pitcairn descent on Saturday morning and afternoon. And then you can enjoy Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama on Queen Elizabeth Drive.

It is an amazing, unusual attraction and one of only a handful of paintings of this type in the world. Conceived by Marie Bailey, the gigantic panoramic painting vividly illustrates the story of ancestor Fletcher Christian, the mutiny, and the history of the Norfolk people. And co-located with the Cyclorama is one of the island’s leading art galleries, Gallery Guava.

Do yourself a favour and take a drive out beyond picturesque Anson Bay and you will discover an Aladdin’s cave of magnificent locally thrown and designed pottery at Alison and Steve Ryves’ place. For unique mementoes of Norfolk Island, from platters and jugs, to urns and bowls, there seems to be a piece for every occasion and more. Pineridge Crafts Cottage on Ferny Lane is open on Saturdays and offers locally made Norfolk Island pine products like hot pot stands, drink coasters, bread boxes, key racks, country spice racks, candle settings, bread boards of various sizes, children’s puzzles, toilet roll holders, door stoppers, and loads more – a wide variety of gift souvenirs for every taste.

And if this is not enough, try lazing about at beautiful Emily Bay, or enjoy a picnic and a glass or two of wine somewhere that tickles your fancy. And don’t forget the Sunday Markets where local produce, clothing, books, mementoes, and much more is on show.

As summer comes in, and days grow warmer, we sometimes experience marvellously bright, blue skies over Norfolk. My spirits rise as the brilliant light seems to pick out every leaf and twig on bushes and trees, and Willie Nelson’s plaintive singing runs through my mind: Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing but blue skies do I see.

Driving the car, or on foot, the arresting beauty of the Island is made breathtakingly clear. Flowers, trees and roadside vegetation appear newly washed and cows and horses graze contentedly in the lush, green fields.

Hibiscus flowers sway, and stretch out to the sun, in the faint, cool breeze while tiny wisps of high, white cloud float lazily in the azure heavens; with darker blue glimpses of the ocean glistening on the horizon.

December is here – with all its attendant end-of-year excitement and traditions. Christmas is coming, and the shops are dressed in tinsel and colourful decorations. Norfolk Pines stand, cool and dark, on Mount Pitt and beside Bumboras and Emily Bay – giant Christmas trees in the dazzling sunlight. The Island glows with vitality and the promise of a new season.

I visualise lazy days at the beach, fish and chips (and icecreams!) by the sea, and drowsily reading in the hammock. There are tantalising images of long, summer evenings on the ‘randa with music, relaxed conversation and glasses of chilled wine. I look forward to early morning walks with the dog when the sun glints across the sea at Kingston, and the air is fresh and dewy.

The recent rains, and mist, are gone – for the present – and Willie’s voice again echoes in my head: Blue days, all of them gone, Nothing but blue skies from now on.

Written by Jenny Jauczius

(Each week Charles will be sending us a new reason, so keep check out this page)

1.So easy to represent your country in sporting events
2.No Land tax
3.We have a hospital that is fully funded and nurses and Doctors don’t have to pay for supplies out of their own pocket like in many NSW hospitals.
4.No income tax
5.No beggars on the street
6.Children can walk or ride to school without fear of predators
7.No high priced funerals to turn next of kin broke.
8.Kids are not violent and abusive in school as in most mainland public schools
9.Norfolks phone calls to Australia are cheaper than those from Australia to here.
10.We do not get armed robberies here as they do on mainland Australia
11.Jenny Jauczius,s letter describing our feelings under our blue sky.
12.So much more accessible and cheaper here to see overseas visiting artists.
13.No traffic jams so least obnoxious fumes.
14.Access to govt members to discuss concerns etc.
15.Immediate access to hospital emergency treatmentLife is of a higher standard with less worry here.
16.We do not need cages at school to house students bicycles to prevent them being stolen. The stats show that nearly every school in Australia need cages.
Below are the previous 15 reasons as to why we are a very fortunate community and that if we have some minor drawbacks they pale into insignificence
17.We are not continually in fear of Bushfires and the only effect we get from Australian bushfires is a red sunset.
18.We don’t have massive flooding here like they do in parts of Australia as we are lucky enough to have plenty of high ground
19.Another money saving reason for young mothers. School fees extras are much, much lower than in Australia where public school extras are well over $600.00 per annum. Ours are far far less.
20. No inheritance tax
21. We do not have a long waiting list for dental treatment here as they do in Australia. It was revealed on Wednesdays news that there are 600,000 people on the waiting list in Australia for dental treatment, many have been waiting for up to two years.
22. Here is the 22nd great reason to live on Norfolk Island.We have no great distance to go to work or play—many on mainland Australia have to travel an hour or more to work or to sporting venues. As well as time and money to travel those distances the stress is of a high level. Not here on tranquil Norfolk.
23.We are fortunate to have a limit of two stories for buildings so that we dont feel hemmed in and claustrophobic like one does in many cities in Australia
24.More about Paradise. Here there is no necessity to have high speed police car chases with the result everybody is in a far safer environment.
25.On Norfolk Island the social environment is far superior as in nearly every occasion young children are invited along as well.
26. On Norfolk Island there is no littering of the streets as in nearly every town and city in Australia. If there is something dropped on the road our environmentally citizens soon pick it up.
27. We have one of the most beautiful swimming bays in the world
28.On Norfolk Island we do not have money guzzling Parking Meters
( Although Gold Coast bikini clad meter maids would be nice)
29.Another great reason to live here. We don’t have smog like the big cities have.
30.Why it is quite remarkably safe and good to live on Norfolk? At no time can we get the type of devastating floods that they are having in Queensland because our terrain is such that it is impossible as only small areas at a time could possibly be effected.
31.My branding
NORFOLKISLAND
IN ALL THE WORLD—NO PLACE LIKE THIS
If people are badly inconvenienced or in distress they are inundated with help from the rest of the community as we have all experienced and even seen in last weeks paper.
32.It takes only minutes to go to work or play on Norfolk
Most people in Australia have to travel long distances to work and again at night to get home-Less stress for us.
33. Driving Licences here are cheaper than Australian mainland and New Zealand.
34. We have some of the purest water on earth if caught properly in a suitable tank.
In Australia and New Zealand their mains water which is the drinking water for 99% of the population has to be treated before arriving at the tap.
35.Here on an average we have far cheaper sporting club fees than those on Mainland Australia.
One example the Golf club fees.
36.Hardly any distance to travel to daycare, Announced last week that most daycare centres fees have now gone up to $100.00 per day in Australia—not on Norfolk Island
37.Her we don’t have payroll tax for businesses. ( Every cost including tax that businesses have to pay has to be added to the final price of goods) Many goods here are dear enough now without adding more costs to them.
38. Her we can walk out at night without fear
39. Car insurances here are far cheaper than in Australia. One company over there is advertising on TV that they will guarantee to be $300.00 less in car insurance than any other company. We do not pay $300.00 in total so theirs must be pretty high.
40. We are so lucky here because if a Tsunami hit only a small portion of damage would be effected as most houses are well above a large wave height. Govt house is at least 40ft above sea level and quality row buildings are also set up on higher ground.
41. Short distance and ease of travel time to the airport for those that don’t think my 50 reasons to live here are good enough and so wish to leave.
42. We don’t have soul destroying bushfires here as they do in Australia.
43. We don’t have traffic lights like in other places so less carbon emitted into the atmosphere. One up for a greener planet.
44. No high priced boat registrations here like in Australia
45.No crocodiles or snakes here to endanger lives
46. Car maintenance costs per year are far less here than in Australia because we have less distance to travel
47. No wait here in the hospital emergency like there is in Australia
48. No need for soup kitchens here like in Sydney.
49. No Golden Staph in our hospital like there is in many public hospitals in Australia
50. I could continue with many more but how things might change after the election
51. No homeless people begging on the streets like in Sydney so no need for Salvos.

It has been often said of Norfolk Island that it is a place where you can be as busy, or do as little, as you like. As such, it is attractive to a very wide range of holiday makers. More than one time visitors often suggest that their love of Norfolk stems from the fact that it is a place of simple pleasures. And indeed it is.

You can see people walking each morning at Kingston being enchanted by that early morning sunrise at Cemetery Beach, enjoying the ambience of this true world treasure, and never tiring of the most wonderful collection of Georgian buildings in the southern hemisphere. For those who are lucky enough to have a pet, you have the choice of ‘walking the dog’ with or without a leash.

You can decide to drive into the shopping strip at Burnt Pine at peak hour, and know that it will only take you five minutes or so, And when you do, you can choose to wear your seat belt, or not. You can leave the house unlocked, and when you reach your destination you can leave your car keys in the ignition, buy some tomatoes that were picked that same morning, and pay for them at the honesty box outside ‘The Underworld’.

If you decide to have morning tea you are spoilt by having the choice of half a dozen cafes within easy walking distance from each other, where you might be fortunate to hear a discussion (in the Norf’k language) between members of one of a number of ‘kitchen cabinets’ at a table nearby.

Each Wednesday afternoon most commerce ceases and people can enjoy fishing, sea kayaking, surfing and sports of all types, or just go to an uncrowded beach for a swim in the clearest of water, an aspect of Norfolk which has to be the world’s best kept secret.

In the evening, you have the choice of many quality restaurants scattered across the island, with great food and quality wines for your pleasure. Or you could take a 10 minute drive to Puppy’s Point or Anson Bay on the western shores of the island and watch the sun set. During summer you can watch the mutton birds ‘rafting’ on the bluest of seas. Stay on until just after dark and watch these birds fly in to nest onshore. Stay on until dark and gaze in awe at the stars in a night sky which is reputedly the cleanest in the world after the Antarctic. Smog? Not here.

In a world where economic rationalism and normalisation increasingly impact on ‘ways of life’, these simple pleasures are to be treasured.