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Overview
Lord Howe Island is located in the Pacific Ocean, 600km (373 miles) east of the Australian mainland, which is 2 hours flying time from either Sydney or Brisbane. The Lord Howe Island Group became a World Heritage site in 1982. There are 130 species of birds and the sheltering coral reef hosts over 500 species of fish and 90 different corals. The ocean here is considered the cleanest on the planet, and the reef is in pristine condition.
Woods to the north of the village where Flesh-footed Shearwater nest, October/November 2007
Birds
Notable Species
The endangered Lord Howe Woodhen, a flightless rail, is an endemic species found only on Lord Howe Island. 14 species of seabirds breed here, including Short-tailed Shearwater, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Sooty Tern, Masked Booby and one the world's rarest birds, the Providence Petrel.
Rarities
"to do"
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
"to do"
Other Wildlife
"to do"
Site Information
History and Use
The Lord Howe Island Group became a World Heritage site in 1982, due to its outstanding natural beauty and exceptional biodiversity. Two thirds of the island is now a Permanent Park Preserve and the surrounding waters were declared a Marine Park in 1998.
Areas of Interest
- Lord Howe Island is one of Australia’s premier bird watching destinations, with 130 species of birds.
- There are many walking trails through banyan and palm forests, with wonderful cliff top vistas and a more strenuous hike up the 875m, Mount Gower.
Access and Facilities
- To keep the unique beauty and environment of the islands protected, only 400 visitors are allowed at any one time.
- Flights (about 2 hours) are available from Sydney on most days and Brisbane at weekends.
- The island has a mild climate, year-round.
Photo by ptilinopus
Red-tailed Tropicbird, kiting on the wind, Northern slope of Mt Lidgbird, Feb. 1980
Photo by ptilinopus
The Lord Howe Rail or Woodhen, Mt. Gower, Feb. 1980
Contact Details
Lord Howe Island Visitor Centre
Freecall Australia 1800 240 937
Phone: +61 2 6563 2114
Email: lhi.visitorcentre@bigpond.com
