Norfolk Island Expedition

Fly direct from Sydney to Norfolk Island (not included), where your host will greet you and transfer you to your accommodation. Take time to settle in before your first unforgettable adventure, an exclusive Morepork Owl night tour with a National Park ranger. Venture into the island’s quiet forests after dark, visiting known hotspots where you can listen for their haunting calls and, with luck, spot one in the wild. Hear the remarkable conservation story that saved this critically endangered subspecies from the brink, including the introduction of male owls from New Zealand. If the season allows, you may even see a nest box in use. Depending on timing, enjoy a relaxed 2-course group dinner in a local restaurant before or after your nocturnal excursion. It’s the perfect first taste of Norfolk’s wild heart.

Start the morning with a personalised birding tour led by Norfolk’s foremost bird expert, Margaret Christian. Explore lush rainforests in search of rare endemic species and seasonal migratory seabirds nesting on dramatic clifftops. This is a birdwatcher’s dream, with more than 25 rare and endemic species to spot, from green parrots to white terns, and plenty of opportunities for stunning photographs. After lunch (not included), join your guide for a Norfolk Island orientation tour, a fascinating overview of the island’s landscapes, villages, and heritage sites. Tonight, immerse yourself in history and intrigue with the “Who Killed the Surveyor?” Murder Mystery Dinner. Set in 1859, you’ll dine in one of Kingston’s beautifully restored historic buildings (when available), helping unravel a whodunit woven through a delicious 3-course meal. Step into the story as a participant and experience Norfolk’s past in a wonderfully unexpected way.

After breakfast, go behind the scenes of island life. Learn how a small Pacific island manages essential services, from importing fuel and generating power to waste management, weather forecasting, and global communications. In the afternoon, roll up your sleeves and join the Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society for hands-on conservation work. Weed invasive plants, plant endemic species, and enjoy relaxed conversations with locals passionate about protecting the island’s unique ecosystems. Tonight, experience “Night on the Bounty,” an interactive dinner show that brings to life the journey from England to Tahiti and the infamous mutiny. Lively storytelling, colourful characters, and a hearty 3-course feast make this a night of laughter, drama, and history. You’ll leave with a deeper connection to Norfolk’s heritage - and perhaps humming a sea shanty or two.

This morning’s exclusive farm tour reveals Norfolk’s agricultural heart. Visit a state-of-the-art palm nursery exporting globally, stroll through a hydroponic garden belonging to Bounty Mutineer descendants, and sample liqueurs at the island’s distillery. You’ll also see the local mill and enjoy tea or coffee in a stunning private garden. After lunch (at own expense), step into the World Heritage-listed Convict Kingston precinct with a local historian. Walk through the cemetery, hear tales of Polynesian settlers, convicts, and Pitcairn Islanders, and uncover the complex layers of Norfolk’s past. This evening, enjoy the Commandants’ Dinner and Show, an entertaining theatrical experience where costumed actors share dramatic and often shocking stories from the penal era. A traditional English 3-course meal complements the performance - hearty fare worthy of a Commandant, but thankfully prepared in a modern kitchen. History, humour, and flavour combine for an unforgettable night.

Begin the day with a guided breakfast bushwalk through coastal forest and rugged cliffs. Your local guide will help you identify native plants and bird species while sharing the vital conservation work of National Park rangers. A hearty BBQ breakfast with all the trimmings awaits at the end. Later, embark on the “Taste of Norfolk” tour, meeting local producers - from a sea salt maker using pristine ocean water to tea growers, beekeepers, and cattle farmers. Sample traditional Tahitian-inspired recipes passed down through generations. In the evening, enjoy the famous Baunti Island Fish Fry at a scenic outdoor location, with fresh local fish, island dishes, and lively entertainment from singers and dancers. Conclude the day with “1856 - The Untold Story,” a moving retelling of the Pitcairn Islanders’ arrival and adaptation to a once-feared penal settlement. It’s history told where it happened, under Norfolk’s starlit skies. Please note, the Breakfast Bushwalk and the Taste of Norfolk Tour will be operated in our AGT exclusive vehicle but other guests might be joining the experience.

On your final morning, enjoy breakfast before joining marine researcher Susan Prior for a fascinating “Reef Brief.” In just 90 minutes, discover the hidden life of Norfolk’s reef, rom colonial-era shipwrecks to quirky fish behaviour, and understand why this fragile ecosystem is so vital. After a relaxed lunch (at own expense), transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Sydney, carrying home memories of rare wildlife, remarkable history, and a warm, close-knit island community that will stay with you long after you’ve left.