Lord Howe Island
A rare place of exceptional beauty
'There is really no way of preparing the first-time visitor for the experience of Lord Howe Island, because places like this are supposed to no longer exist.'
Volcanic peaks, verdant rainforests, white sand beaches, rolling surf and tranquil lagoon combine to form an idyllic experience. Here visitors have the opportunity to view prolific bird and marine life, and to discover the world's most southern coral reefs.
The crescent shaped main island of Lord Howe is only 11 km from north to south and up to 2.8 km wide. Dominating the landscape to the south are the spectacular mounts of Gower (875 m.) and Lidgbird (777 m.). Its coral reef, on the south-western side, encloses the calm turquoise lagoon. Giant Banyan trees and Kentia Palm forests spread across the island. Human habitation exists on only a narrow isthmus of lowland country in the north-central part of the island. To the north are steep hills culminating in extensive sea cliffs. There are several groups of smaller islands and rocks, with Balls Pyramid, a 562 m. pinnacle, the most distant at 23 km south-east.
In Paris on the 14 December 1982 the UNESCO World Heritage committee officially inscribed Lord Howe Island on the World Heritage List. Its "rare collection of plants, birds, marine life and exceptional natural beauty" were cited as key factors. More specifically Lord Howe's populations of endangered endemic species such as the Woodhen, its remarkable volcanic geology with its great variety of upper mantle and oceanic basalts, and it being the most southerly coral reef in the world, made it highly eligible. In accordance, the site is now protected with measures such as limiting the number of tourist beds to only 400.