Islands destinationLord Howe islandTasman Sea
Last updated on 06/05/2026 at 12:33 AM
Lord Howe island is a volcanic island located in the Tasman sea, approximately 373 miles east of the Australian coast off Port Macquarie, between Brisbane and Sydney.

Aerial view of Lord Howe island, Australia © Juergen Wallstabe | Dreamstime.com
A remote piece of land
Lord Howe island is a small isolated piece of land between Australia and New Zealand, stretching about 6.8 miles in length and 1.2 miles in width.
Lord Howe island has the shape of a wide crescent of hills that encloses a turquoise lagoon at its center. To the north are rocky cliffs, and to the south volcanic mountains including Mount Lidgbird (1,312 feet), Mount Gower (2,854 feet), and Mount Eliza.
The settlement is located in the central area and borders the lagoon waters to the east.
World heritage listed
With its highly contrasted landscape, Lord Howe island perfectly illustrates the features of an isolated oceanic island formed by underwater volcanic activity in the depths of the ocean. Lord Howe island has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 due to its exceptional ecosystem diversity and endemic species, including several bird species.

Ball's Pyramid emerging from the ocean off Lord Howe island © Ashley Whitworth | Dreamstime.com
A remnant of an ancient volcanic erosion, Lord Howe island offers a concentration of scenic landscapes with dramatic and unique mountainous relief rising from the ocean and surrounded by the world's southernmost coral reefs.
Lord Howe island is home to important breeding colonies of seabirds, including the Providence petrel (Pterodroma solandri) and the red-tailed tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda).
Approximately 75% of the island's land area is managed as a nature reserve.
How to get there ?
Lord Howe island is accessible by air with direct flights taking about 2 hours from Sydney (most days) or Brisbane (weekends), as well as by sea with a 9-hour ferry crossing departing from Port Macquarie, operating on a weekly schedule.
Depending on your budget, you can also choose helicopter access with a flight of about 2 hours from Port Macquarie or other locations along the Australian coast. Finally, for experienced sailors, a sailing voyage takes around 5 days, and it is necessary to book a mooring spot in advance upon arrival as availability is limited.
Practical information
To visit Lord Howe island, accommodation must be booked in advance, as only 400 visitors per day are allowed at any given time.
Did you know ?
Lord Howe island has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
The marine species in Lord Howe Island
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