BAZflyer: Lord Howe Island

The Tasman Sea is a 2500 km wide expanse of water that separates New Zealand from the continent of Australia. Islands in this southern ocean are few and far between and Lord Howe Island located about 500 km off the Australian eastern sea-board is exceptional. The remnant of a mighty shield volcano that erupted from the sea floor some seven million years ago. Lord Howe Island is so isolated that no human set foot here until 1788. It was a further 46 years before three British whalers settled on the island each accompanied by a Maori wife.

Today the island is administered by the State of New South Wales and enjoys World Heritage status. A small population of just 380 locals live on Lord Howe Island and the maximum number of visitors at any time is limited by law to 400 people.

Apart from a small shipping service, locals and visitors alike rely on air transport for access and delivery of fresh supplies. For 32 years Lord Howe Island's air link was provided courtesy of flying boats. This service operated off the island's lagoon with a schedule that varied daily depending on local tides and fickle weather. An airstrip was built on the island in 1974. Nowadays, regular links to the Australian 'mainland' are no longer scheduled according to the tides, however, weather conditions still occasionally intervene. The most notable weather factor is winds that produce severe turbulence off the island's rugged terrain.

Lord Howe Island is also a Customs port and over the years Bazflyers have landed here when transiting the Tasman Sea for our necessary passport stamps required when arriving or departing Australia. In a wonderful way this service is uniquely delivered on Lord Howe Island by the same cheery lady who also runs the airport's small cafe. Where else in the world can you be processed through immigration and have a steaming hot coffee in hand....all served to you by the same friendly person? Long may it last....

Arriving overhead Lord Howe Island