travel

Go to Lord Howe Island before the rest of the world finds out it's on the World's Best list.

Look, it’s a real kick in the guts that little Lord Howe Island – home to less than 400 people, only slightly bigger than a postage stamp, is on this year’s Lonely Planet’s Best Places To Visit List.

Because it’s already hard to get to – you have to fly on a small plane, and the planes are often delayed and cancelled because it’s not amateur hour landing on the little spot – and it’s already expensive to go there – with limited resources, it costs a fair bit to run a resort there – but now it’s going to be even harder.

And that’s a shame, because Lord Howe Island is the most gorgeously glorious, completely unique place you’re ever going to get to.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Holly Wainwright (@wainwrightholly) on

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s a dead-set island paradise that can never be too busy (only 400 tourists can ever be on the island at any one time), can never be over-developed (it’s World Heritage-listed, which means incredibly strict rules about building anything) and can never be over-run by digital nomads (there’s no WIFI, or even mobile phone reception).

Nope, all you’re going to get on Lord Howe Island is scenery so stunning you’ll be tapping it to see if it’s a film-set; deserted, pristine beaches where you can wade in and swim alongside colourful fish and turtles in the clearest warm water you’ve ever seen. You’ll get mountains to climb (if you’re into that sort of thing), bushwalks to wander, push-bikes to ride along palm-fringed, car-free roads.

You’ll get a taste of strange and fascinating local history (the stunning Pinetrees Lodge has been in the same family for five generations, and was once a pine plantation run by a gun-toting matriarch), you’ll get incredible food and wine and seafood that couldn’t be fresher and you’ll get sunsets that make you teary. At least, they make me teary.

What’s it like to live on Lord Howe, a beautiful place with no Internet? Listen to this TGM episode to find out. Post continues below.

ADVERTISEMENT

You’ll also get the opportunity to snorkel and dive a pristine reef that’s as-yet untouched by the bleaching that plagues its Queensland relative.

Most of all you’ll get peace and beauty and boasting rights forever.

So make the effort and bloody go, before this Lonely Planet business ruins it for all of us.

* In case you’re wondering, Lord Howe Island is officially in New South Wales, and is about 600 kilometres east of Port Macquarie. You can fly there from Sydney and Brisbane.

If you were ever in doubt about travelling there, here are 21 pictures that say it all.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

One of the most incredible experiences ever. @visitlordhoweisland

A post shared by kitotemkin (@kitotemkin) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Tommy with a cheeky short game

A post shared by Joelydoodman???? (@joelydoodman) on

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Two hours from Sydney. . . . . . . . . #australia #newsouthwales #lordhoweisland #travel #marinesanctuaries #lifeaquatic

A post shared by Ben Mckelvey (@bennymck) on

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The Lord Howe Island Providence Petrel Selfie from the top of Mt Gower… challenge set Hemsworth! ????

A post shared by @ james_tobin on

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Little bit of birthday fun for my guesties this week ????

A post shared by Jessica Thomas (@wildchildsworld_) on

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The primordial forest.

A post shared by Rebecca Hastings (@hastings.rebecca) on

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

What we have on earth is all we’ll ever have. We need to remember that. ????

A post shared by Andrea Elbaile (@aelbaile) on

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A special little moment captured by my Dad ????????

A post shared by Sophie (@sophruddell) on

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Perfect afternoon ???????????? #lordhoweisland #living_australia #islandlife #wineoclock #love #admiraltyapartments

A post shared by Gina Krick (@ginak_lhi) on

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I think we’re settling in

A post shared by Taigs (@taighanschroder) on

ADVERTISEMENT

Have you visited Lord Howe Island? If so, tell us about your favourite things to do there in the comments below.

00:00 / ???