Discover Norfolk Island
When Captain Cook first landed on Norfolk Island in 1774, I bet he had no idea it would go on to inherit such an intriguing history, and future.
My tour guide is Lisle Snell - a fifth generation islander… who's head is brimming with fascinating historical facts.
The population of Norfolk is around 2000 people, 700 of whom are direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers, and they arrived at this spot on the 8th of June 1856.
Well before the Bounty - settlers were coming to Norfolk. The first were in 1788, but it wasn't until 1825 that it became the notorious penal colony.
These crumbling ruins still give you a vivid idea of how hard life must have been…
Norfolk's 2000 convicts were crammed three to a cell.
Ceilings were only 6ft. I can't imagine three people in here with such a low roof.
Life was so harsh, convicts would actually volunteer to be murdered by their fellow inmates. Whoever committed the grisly deed would then happily go to his own execution. On Norfolk Island, death was the only escape.
Even the colony's hospital was a hellhole..
This was a notorious place. Convicts who were confined to hospital normally went out feet first.
The prisoners did manage to exact some revenge! Waste from the convicts' toilets was dumped in a stream, which fed directly into nearby Emily Bay... and that was poetic justice because Emily Bay was where most of the soldiers and officers and their wives bathed and swam !
Coming to Norfolk Island, I really thought the sheer beauty of the place is what would captivate me the most, but the rich history behind the place - beauty with unimaginable horror - it makes for the most fascinating experience.
The cemetery is amazing. Each headstone reads like a history book…
This poor soul died as a result of being flogged to death.
The convicts probably didn't appreciate it, but Norfolk Island has the most stunning scenery.
And this is a great way to see it… Culla's clydesdales clop along at a leisurely pace, so you can take it all in…
These days, people are queuing up to come to Norfolk - and one big attraction is the shopping.
The Sunday
markets are always bustling, but, most importantly….
the great thing about shopping here is that it's GST free and
duty free. Time to give the credit card a bit of a workout !
From cosmetics…to cameras…to clothes.
No wonder it's a former prison island - things are a real steal !
Pinetree Tours can take you on all sorts of tours around this fascinating island.
Their website shows the wide range of trips to choose from.
Or for something different - join the Clydesdales for a clip clop down memory lane.
Contact Norfolk
Island Visitor Information Centre or ring Culla and Co.
