4 Easy Trails in Norfolk Island for Stunning Views

If your idea of a holiday has long walks and hikes in it, Norfolk Island should be on your list of prospective bucket-list holidays. The island offers everything that makes a South Pacific holiday memorable – pristine beaches, clear tranquil waters, slow-paced days and an unsullied environment in which to soak it all in. A Norfolk Island stay will put you right in nature’s lap, without taking you too far away from civilisation. Plus, there’s plenty to see, do and savour and a vacation here is incomplete without a visit to Norfolk’s National Park and the UNESCO heritage site of Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA).

Given Norfolk island’s relatively small size, walking is how most holidaymakers choose to discover Norfolk’s natural charms. Not surprisingly, it’s the favoured option for exploring the national park too, given the large number of trails that have been mapped out for tourists’ convenience. This blog is all about discovering Norfolk Island, one hike at a time.

What’s the ideal time for a Norfolk Island hike?

Short answer: early mornings, any and all days of the year. Though, this claim is subject to local weather conditions. While the odd shower cannot be ruled out, Norfolk Island is good for walks and hikes year-round. Plus, it never hurts to carry an umbrella, but you’ll find hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and a bottle of water far more useful. 

Four popular Norfolk Island trails to set out on

Established in 1984, Norfolk Island National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Visitors absolutely love them! But what they love even more is taking it all in at their own pace. The national park here has 10 well-marked trails; here we’ll look at four that are popular and easy to set out on.

Mount Bates Track, Norfolk Island

Mount Bates is an easy track that will appeal to a wide range of visitors. It begins at the Mt. Pitt Road and goes all the way up to Mt. Bates. It’s a wide grassy track that skirts the top edge of the ridge, with plenty of room to manoeuvre and not bump into each other. The lack of steep sections and stairs are rather welcome on this 650m walk. The track takes visitors through palm forests, with enchanting views to the south-east of the island. Do watch out for protruding roots and loose forest soil.

It’s a gentle climb to the summit and walkers are rewarded with panoramic views of the area, northwest of the island. There’s also a WW2 radio station, ripe for spending 15-20 minutes exploring.

Summit Track, Norfolk Island

The Summit Track runs somewhat parallel to the Mount Bates Track, but on a somewhat steeper elevation. Having said that, the walk itself is classified as easy and somewhat quick. This 500m track runs through a tea-tree forest and weaves through Norfolk’s stately pines. Visitors can go all the way to the top and be rewarded with 360° views of the surroundings, including serene views of the coastline.

Old Mountain Track, Norfolk Island

Taking a step onto the Old Mountain Track is so much more than simply going out for a walk—it’s taking a step back in time!  Before WW2, this track used to be the de facto option for accessing Mount Pitt. Visitors start at the Mt. Pitt Road entrance and walk along the track to the very summit. It’s 540m of moderate to steep walk, but then difficulty levels are personal and what’s easy for one isn’t necessarily so for the other. Anyways, moving up the trail, walkers can see the remnants of a gun emplacement along with Norfolk’s bountiful flora.

Those who make it to the very end are rewarded with arresting views of the surroundings and some of the best views from the top, looking south over Norfolk to Philip’s Island. 

Bridle Track, Norfolk Island

The above three tracks are more or less in the vicinity of each other and are of a similar difficulty level. Bridle Track is a break from that. It lies in the northern section of the Norfolk Island National Park and at 1.7 km, is not for the faint of heart!

The track begins from the base of Captain Cook’s Monument and ends where it intersects the Red Road Track. Fellow travellers rate it as moderately difficult but suggest caution when it comes to the steeper sections. The track runs parallel to a section of the northern coastline, meandering through Norfolk pines, white oaks and coastal vegetation. Plus, walkers enjoy soothing views of the coastline and the islets yonder.

Tips to get the most out of the walks

These four tracks, especially the first three, are popular with tourists. Short and sweet, it takes little effort to wrap them up. And the views from the top are to die for! They are also gently sloped, meaning silver haired travellers will find them agreeable. Plus, the following tips will help hikers get the most out of these walks.

• Wear sturdy footwear, preferably hiking shoes. No heels or thongs.
• Watch your step, be mindful of protruding roots and loose soils.
• Make use of the handrails where provided.
• Wear hats and sunscreen, and carry plenty of water.

Dos and Don’ts of hiking in Norfolk Island

• For your own safety and to enjoy the trails, please adhere to the following:
• Stay away from cliff edges, it is not worth risking your life over a selfie.
• Do not bring vehicles to walking tracks.
• Stay on the tracks to avoid getting lost or damaging the plants.
• Do not litter, carry your trash back with you.

Discovering Norfolk Island, One Trail at a Time

If you are one of those travellers who enjoy walking or hiking as a means of discovering a place, a Norfolk Island holiday will be right up your alley. Spend a day each discovering the Summit track, Mount Bates track, Old Mountain track and the Bridle track. Heck, why not chain Summit, Mount Bates and Old Mountain together?! We’ll let you decide the specifics of it. Also, stay tuned to this space. In the forthcoming days, we will be covering more such walking and hiking trails, and popular sights on the island!

Oh! If you are wondering how to make your way to this slice of paradise in the South Pacific, refer to our Norfolk Island destination page. Or, just pick up the phone and speak with our travel experts on 1300 991 751!