The best places to stay on Norfolk Island

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Norfolk Island boasts heavenly appeal and the accommodation is just as dreamy.

This gem of the South Pacific features a dazzling utopia of turquoise lagoons, luscious trails, culinary delights and a gentler pace of life. It’s a combination that will leave you rejuvenated beyond compare, and more than willing to spend a few nights exploring it all. The accommodation options on Norfolk Island span an array of self-contained units, apartments, independent hotels and holiday homes.

 

Here, we narrow down our favourites.

1. Heritage Hill

For those in search of affordable stay, Heritage Hill offers basic but clean, spacious self-contained cottages with spectacular views out to Phillip Island. The accommodation is situated a 10 minute walk from the shops, and has a restaurant next door. If your idea of a holiday equals zero inclination to venture out and explore, the adjoining verandahs are the perfect place to sip on a freshly brewed coffee or duty-free drink.

 

Take a seat and watch the ever changing shades of the Norfolk Ocean. Inside, an open plan design features an all-in-one kitchen, dining and living area, with separate bedrooms bathroom and laundry.

Heritage Hill Norfolk Island
Views of everything from Heritage Hill

2. The Tin Sheds

Norfolk’s newest five-star property, The Tin Sheds, ups the ante with three beautifully appointed apartments. The contemporary homes are surrounded by beautifully landscaped private gardens, and located mere minutes from Burnt Pine Shopping District. Hop in the car and you’re a short drive from the island’s most beautiful national parks, tranquil beaches and the World Heritage listed Kingston & Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).

 

Inside, each shed is packed with every mod-con, large outdoor entertaining areas, Fiat convertibles and thoughtful extras like a ‘toy box’ with snorkelling gear, tennis rackets and other fun items for use.

The Tin Sheds Norfolk Island
The Tin Sheds up the ante

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3. Coast

Coast is a self-catered option that provides the perfect combination of location and style. Located within the World Heritage KAVHA site, wake to palm tree surrounds, alongside lush gardens and sounds of the ocean. Lift your spirits (and heart rate) on the accommodation’s signature walk, traversing the 32-acre Coast property, winding through vistas and valleys, ending at the famous convict ruins and beach.

 

Coast offers eight one- and two-bedroom apartments to book. Choose from Niau Cottage, a one-bedroom cottage, or opt for a stay in one of the beach houses, Routi House and Rahooloo House, which each feature two bedrooms.

 

Cook with fresh, local produce in the fully-equipped kitchens or make use of the outdoor barbecue facilities. Fill up the picnic basket for an alfresco lunch, make use of the fishing rods, snorkelling gear, golf clubs or the complimentary pushbikes. Or better yet, relax by the saltwater swimming pool.

Norfolk Island Coast
Coast provides the perfect combination of location and style

4. Tintoela

Tintoela is an island homestead that can’t be beat for luxury. Meaning ‘sweetheart’ in Norf’k, Tintoela was built by Hunky Evans, a descendant of the original Bounty mutineers, for his Canadian sweetheart. It now serves as an upscale accommodation offering. The property features an impressive homestead and two cottages, each providing world-class design, craftsmanship and story-book ocean views.

 

The signature Hunku’s property blends the best of Norfolk architecture with the subtle elegance of sophisticated living. Ideally suited to large families and groups of friends, the six-bedroom homestead is the most spacious accommodation on the island. The neighbouring Kushi and Hilli cottages are idyllic private paradises for couples or small groups.

Tintoela Norfolk Island
Tintoela is an island homestead that can’t be beat for luxury

5. Endeavour Lodge

If it’s privacy in spades you seek, escape to the world of Endeavour Lodge. The luxurious, self-catered one, two-and three-bedroom apartments are perched on a clifftop with million dollar views. Unwind from your private, spacious verandah and enjoy a spectacular sunset. Native pine timber furnishings feature throughout, closer resembling a ski lodge than a coastal villa – but with views like this, who could complain?

Endeavour Lodge Norfolk Island
Escape to the world of Endeavour Lodge

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6. Cumberland Resort and Spa

Owners Angela and Rael have done well to provide the trendiest resort accommodation on Norfolk Island. This boutique, self-contained resort is set among a tropical paradise and located three minutes’ walk to shops, cafes and restaurants. To overdose on Zen, relax in the heated swim spa pool (36 degrees Celsius), sweat it out in a sauna or indulge in a spa treatment at the onsite day spa.

 

Retreat to one of 10 modern, ground-floor spa apartments and villas (choose from one, two, three, four or five bedroom). Each feature en-suite bathrooms complete with massage showers.

Hideaway Retreat Norfolk Island
Live off the land at Hideaway Retreat Norfolk Island

7. Hideaway Retreat Norfolk Island

Eating goes hand and hand with “being" in Norfolk Island. Nearly all the produce is grown in the island’s rich volcanic soil, much of which occurs on the grounds at Hideaway Retreat. An orchard lies within the property grounds. Take your pick of oranges, mandarins, tangerines, avocados, guavas and bananas in season. The wide open spaces and tranquil environment make it the perfect escape for those looking to take things slow.

 

There are a total of nine, comfortable and spacious one-and two-bedroom apartments. All are equipped with the standard self-contained fitouts. Timber floors, basic furniture and hotel-style beds. Safe swimming beaches, World Heritage Listed Sites, museums, golf, tennis, bowling and squash clubs are all, at the most, five minutes by car. For your recreational pleasure, you are also granted exclusive use of the hard tennis court (and gear), plunge pool and barbecue facilities.

8. Castaway Retreat

If being a hideaway doesn’t tickle your fancy, how about being a castaway? Live out your Tom Hanks fantasy (sans Wilson) at this plush island paradise. Choose between hotel-style rooms or self-contained apartments, run and owned by Sarah and Tony Watts. The spot was originally built in the 1970s by Sarah’s grandfather, Ken Prentice, and has had a long and illustrious life as one of Norfolk’s most cherished accommodation houses ever since.

 

While the owners may have changed, the reputation has remained. Castaway has been rejuvenated over the years and serves as one of the most special places to stay on the island. Each of the 20 rooms are stylish and contemporary and offer garden views. There is an onsite restaurant and bar, and a covered deck overlooking the Burnt Pine valley.

Castaway fantasy Norfolk Island
Live out your Castaway fantasy at this plush island paradise

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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

    The Best Places To Stay On Norfolk Island