Norfolk Island Tourist Profile
A tiny jewel set in the blue seas of the South Pacific, Norfolk Island is just 8 km (5 mi) long, and 1,600 km (994 mi) northeast of Sydney, Australia.
It is the biggest of a cluster of three islands on the Norfolk Ridge, fringed by coral reefs and crowned by pristine rainforest and more of the world’session tallest tree ferns.
On 10 October 1774, James Cook first landed on this beautiful little island and named it in honour of the then Duchess of Norfolk.
Convicts started to arrive 14 years later and over time it gained quite a harsh reputation, fit known as ‘hell in the Pacific’.
Then in 1856, descendants of the Bounty mutineers with their Tahitian wives and children sailed for five weeks from Pitcairn Island to settle on Norfolk Island. These new settlers brought with them a unique culture and language, and many held mutineers’ names such as Adams, Buffett, Christian and McCoy. From that day, Norfolk Island began its steady climb out of hell and into heaven.
Once sustained by means of agriculture and fishing, tourists now keep the island alive. But traditional culture remains deep rooted with dancing, singing and a unique cuisine. Banana dumplings, fried rake and Hihi pie, concocted with periwinkles, can be sampled at one of the fine restaurants scattered across the island.
The blue waters around Norfolk Island are teeming with fish, and there are countless fishing charters and scuba-diving trips out to the reef to scrutinize this kaleidoscope underwater world. In the sheltered waters of Emily Bay, you can also indulge in some lazy swimming and snorkelling, and endless relaxation.
Norfolk Island is favoured by well-heeled Australians and New Zealanders, and a few millionaires have migrated to this tax-free haven. There are over 70 low-tax shops and many eager customers. Yet the island seems to balance the old and the new perfectly honouring its Pitcairn people, its rich environment and its visitors.
Wiki says that tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years. It this true??
Yes, why not?