This Island 2.5 Hours From The City Has A Roaming Cocktail Van For Your Post-Swim Sips
If your idea of slowing down consists of a hammock, fresh air, and fresher food, Norfolk Island is going to be the prime suspect behind your dwindling annual leave.
A mere two and a half hours from Brisbane and Sydney, Norfolk Island is a near-mythical pocket of paradise where cows have right of way, locals wave as they pass you by, and there’s a lack of urgency that's contagious. It's a breath of (literal) fresh air, where you'll quickly find yourself moving more slowly, putting your phone on silent and reconnecting with nature and the crew you're with.
One of the biggest draws of the cruisy island, however, is a roaming bar-on-wheels that pops up when you need it most. The exact location of the cocktail van remains a mystery until the day of, but thankfully, you're never more than a 15-minute drive from anywhere on the island. Curious? Read on for everything you need to soak up on a trip to Norfolk Island.
Unironically Become At One With Nature
For those who question the healing power of nature, Norfolk Island will make you a believer. Think cruisy coastal walks with nowhere to be, cracking into a great paperback under the shade of a towering Norfolk Pine, and slow, quiet mornings that start with a stunning sunrise.
Morning swims and snorkelling at Emily Bay are a local ritual—and soon to be your ritual, too. Wade through the warm, salty water and play ‘guess what the clouds look like’ to appease your inner child, or paddle to the famous floating raft and take the most peaceful nap you’ve ever had. Nearby, Anson Bay puts on an impressive display as endless waves crash against the grassy cliffs.
Sticking to the water, hiring a SUP is the best way to spy the coral reef below without getting wet, or take the tour into your own hands by renting a clear kayak and gliding across Emily Bay’s blue lagoon.
Complete the outdoor self-care session with a stroll along the Botanic Garden’s boardwalk, or test those calf muscles with a hike up to Mount Pitt for a 360-degree view of the island and its surrounding ocean.
To get the most out of the Norfolk Island National Park, and with over 120 kilometres of road to explore, a rental car will go a long way.
Eat And Drink Your Way Around
Stop by The Olive Cafe for a great cup of coffee. Known for their fresh, local produce, pick up a quiche to go for your morning's adventure, or pull up a chair and tuck into a freshly baked carrot cake muffin. Or swing by Slick & Sons and pick up fresh fruit, deli meats and fancy cheese for your post-swim picnic. It’s self-care to finish the entire spread in one sitting, FYI.
No trip to Norfolk Island would be complete without a trip to La Perouse—a French-inspired cafe with a daily rotation of fresh pastries and stacked sandwiches. If you're craving a classic pub feed, head to Salty Beer Garden, where you can park yourself outside, soak up the breeze and tuck into a serving of their Trumpy fish and chips—washed down with an ice-cold brew of course.
The Homestead remains a crucial addition to your trip for elevated dining, where owners Kurt and Jill serve up warm and fuzzy hospitality with a side of farm-to-table dining. Think seasonal veg sourced from the adjoining 100-acre farm and fresh line caught fish of the day cooked over embers—all plated up within the confines of their former 1930s family home. The cocktail list goes hand-in-hand with the island, featuring citrusy spritz, spiced rum sours, and fresh herb-infused martinis.
To keep the cocktail theme going, set off from The Homestead to hunt down the elusive Wanderer cocktail caravan. You might find it perched beside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), handing out guava margs and hibiscus gin fizzes. It’s almost impossible to know its next move, but the hunt is half the fun.
Get To Know The Island
Run by locals who tell affectionate and personal stories about their home, there are five museums in the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you could dedicate an entire afternoon to. Drop in and you’ll hear about the island’s Polynesian settlers and the convict chapters, or peruse the historic photo display. It's also home to a golf course and one of the oldest cricket pitches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Before your flight, make one last stop at Norfolk Island Brewing. Don't miss the guava-infused beer or margaritas, crafted from freshly picked guava berries grown on-site. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the most relaxing holiday you’ve been on in recent memory.
Time to hit reset. Swap the noise for a Norfolk Island vacay, get booking your escape now.
Editor's note: This article was produced in partnership with Norfolk Island. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Supplied.