Lord Howe Island Group Nature Reserve

The Lord Howe Island Group is a small volcanic island chain in the Tasman Sea belonging to Australia, inscribed for its outstanding island ecosystems and high levels of endemism.

The principal island supports a range of habitats from coastal shorelines to upland cloud forest on Mount Gower (summit about 875 metres), while the offshore sea stack Ball’s Pyramid is notable for its dramatic geology and rare biota. The surrounding lagoon and marine environment are also part of the protected values.

The islands have been managed for conservation with carefully regulated visitor access to protect endemic species and habitats; conservation measures include visitor caps and controls on introduced species. The group is remote, lying several hundred kilometres off the Australian mainland in the Tasman Sea.

The archipelago sits in the Tasman Sea east of mainland Australia and is administered by New South Wales; its isolated location and steep relief create distinct terrestrial and marine habitats.

• Visitor limits and permits: Visitor numbers are strictly controlled and the island operates limits on overnight visitors to protect fragile ecosystems; permits are required for many activities.
• Key natural features: Mount Gower and Ball’s Pyramid are key natural highlights - the mountain for endemic forest and cloud-forest species, and Ball’s Pyramid for its unique marine and rock biodiversity and technical climbing history.

What to See#

• Lord Howe Island (main island) : Main island of the group, featuring Mount Gower (summit 875 metres) and a range of endemic plants and animals; mountain walks typically require a ranger-guided trek for conservation reasons.
• Ball’s Pyramid: Sea stack located about 23 kilometres south-east of Lord Howe Island; rising sharply from the sea, it is one of the tallest volcanic sea stacks in the world and is notable for rare plants and seabird nesting in surrounding waters.

Fly: Lord Howe Island is served by regular QantasLink flights from Sydney and Brisbane into Lord Howe Island Airport (LDH). Arrivals are met at the small airport on the island-most accommodation providers offer transfers or the main settlement is a short drive/walk from the airstrip.

• Book flights and accommodation well in advance - the island enforces a strict visitor cap and flights are on small aircraft with very limited seats, so availability fills months ahead.
• Arrive on a morning flight where possible to maximize daylight for activities and reduce the chance of cancellations from brief weather changes; operators schedule many excursions early in the day.
• Start any Mount Gower or longer hikes very early with a licensed guide to avoid heat and to beat the small crowds that form later in the morning.
• Reserve boat-based snorkeling/diving trips before you travel - operators and permits are limited, and popular marine excursions (including visits around Ball's Pyramid) often sell out.