Get-Away-From-It-All On Lovely Lord Howe

Lovely Lord Howe

The beauties of Lord Howe Island, 436 miles north-east of Sydney, are well-known to NSW people, who for many years have been using it as a holiday playground. But travellers from farther afield could do a lot worse than discover it for themselves—for Lord Howe is more typically the real South Seas than many islands to the east.

FLYING-BOATS which alight on the beautiful lagoon connect with Sydney twice a week—and three times a week in the busy season which is just beginning, from Decernber through to March. Return air fare is £34/18/-.

Lord Howe is a volcanic, crescentshaped island only about seven miles long and about a half-mile wide, with a permanent population of only a couple of hundred. Its supurb coral reef claims the distinction of being the most southerly in the world.

There are no hotels, telephones or street lighting on Lord Howe and no motor traffic as civilisation knows it.

T , u .

Lord Howe is a get-away-from-ita 1 place, whose beauty, equable climate and isolation give it an irresistible charm. When it was discovered in 1788 it was uninhabited.

Two massive peaks, Mt. Gower and Mt. Lidgbird, dominate the island. A local guide conducts hikes to the taller of the two, 2,850 ft Mt.

Gower.

WHAT TO DO: Glass-bottomed boats, carrying about 15 passengers each, for about 10/- a head, are available for inspecting the coral reef and lagoon.

Walks on the reef are popular, and so is underwater exploring.

Underwater gear, such as snorkels, flippers, goggles, may be hired.

There is lagoon swimming, and real surfing from sandy beaches for those who prefer it. Because of the clear waters around Lord Howe there is no shark danger.

Fishing trips or just plain cruising are available for about 15/- a trip, and launches may be hired by those with an independent turn of mind.

Guest houses arrange for at least one free cruise for their guests during their stay.

Bicycle riding has always been one of the most popular entertainments among visitors—bicycles may be hired for £1 a week.

There are dances twice a week and picture shows twice a week. The lawn bowling club is at its best be-

[?]lidaymakers on Lord Howe Island who [?]e interested in fishing can always look [?]ward to plenty of good sport. This [?]g fish caught off the island recently weighed 74 lb.

FOR LAGOON TRIPPERS: Lord Howe Island's spectacular scenery is the backdrop for this picture of the catamaran "Kai Lua", which was launched at the island recently after many months of hard work by Neil Woolnough and Bill Fisher.

The launching ceremony was performed by Mrs. Mabel Payten, the island's oldest woman resident. Many islanders and tourists looked on, "Kai Lua" will be used for tourist trips in the lagoon.

;n August and September. Regu >n dress is required on club days, visitors should bring this them es as it is not sold on the island, hose wanting to play tennis need )ring their own racquets. 7 HAT TO WEAR: Sports clothes nly. Bring old clothes for fishing sandshoes. As it gets cold some ss at nights, even in summer, you 1 a cardigan or something warm, ight raincoat is invaluable. 7 HERE TO STAY: Lord Howe accommodation for 230 visitors the one time. There are eight or guest houses and several ate homes catering for tourists rented out as flats The flat s are available on application, a full list of accommodation tariffs you should consult your el agent or the NSW Government irist Bureau. Most will arrange kings for accommodation, he four largest guest houses are j Trees, Ocean View, Leanda Lei Somerset. These cater for more i 30 guests each—Pine Trees ;s more than 80.

'ariffs are: Pine Trees, 19 guineas £2B; Ocean View, 19 guineas; nda Lei, £24/10/-; Somerset, 19 leas; Banyan, £2l; Trade Winds, ; Valdon, 19 guineas; Blue ;oon, 18 guineas. These tariffs per week and include all meals, jquor may be bought on Lord ve from a liquor store, at main -1 prices plus freight.

VISITORS to Fiji may now get ermit to spend six months in the ony. Previously visitors’ permits e limited to a four months’ stay.

TRAVELLERS: Mr. and Mrs. Ronald [?]er left Sydney for Suva, via Noumea, [?]he Matson liner "Mariposa" recently.

Archer is director of Greendale En [?]ering and Cables Pty. Ltd., Sydney, and his wife were making a combined [?]ness-pleasure trip to Fiji and New Zealand.