Norfolk Island Foundation Day 2026

Friday morning was sunny and warm as I headed to Emily Bay for the 238th anniversary of the British First Settlement on Norfolk Island. This annual Norfolk Island event is called “Foundation Day”, which is a public holiday on Norfolk Island. On the 6 March 1788, twenty-three First Fleeters arrived and settled on remote Norfolk Island claiming the land for a British Settlement.

At the re-enactment, the local Norfolk Island actors dressed in old fashion clothing and military costumes, and they boarded two replica boats at the Lone Pine end of Emily Bay and the men rowed across the water to the Salt Mill end of the bay and came ashore on the sandy beach carrying crates and supplies. Once on the beach, they walk to the prepared public viewing area and set up a camp site, and the men hoisted the British Flag and claiming Norfolk Island in the name of His Majesty King George III and drink a toast to King and Country.

Thank you to the local school children, who also play an important part of the morning’s performance. They read the First Settlers’ stories, painting a picture of the characters of those who first settled this remote South Pacific Island on the 6 March 1788.

Louise Tavener, from Go Norfolk, organises this wonderful event every year, she co-ordinates the help with setting up the boats, the sound systems, seating, and guest speakers, also with sorting out the costumes and making shore the actors all know what to wear, and where they need to be during the morning’s re-enactment of the historical occasion.

I enjoy photographing the annual re-enactment, held at Kingston in the World Heritage Area known as KAVHA (Kingston Arthurs’ Vale Historic Area). I will be sharing images on my Facebook page “Norfolk Island photos” plus I have attached a few photos for readers to enjoy. If you were unable to attend this year, mark the date on your calendar as an important date “6 March” as a great time for visiting Norfolk Island.

The Friday morning activities begun about 9:30am and the re-enactment was earlier this year, starting around 10:00am. This was followed by live music along with food prepared by the Norfolk Island Rotary community group. A large marquee was also organised at Kingston where tourists were able to attend an organised Foundation Day lunch, hosted by the local tourism companies.

This year it was great to see two boats on the water, thank you to everyone who assisted in preparing these lovely boats for the Foundation Day event.

Thank you to all of the actors, volunteers, guest speakers, museum manager and staff, the school students and Louci Reynolds and school staff who assisted with the students learning the rolls they played. Plus, everyone behind the scenes, and the visitors who specially travelled to Norfolk Island for this special day. Big thank you to Louise and Jimbo Tavener for making 2026 another successful community event.

Here are a few photos I took on Friday morning of the boats and actors at Emily Bay.

Happy Foundation Day everyone.

Betty Matthews

6 March 2026