About Norfolk Island National Park
Norfolk Island National Park protects remnants of the island’s native subtropical rainforest, coastal cliffs and several offshore islets in the territory of Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. The park was formally established under Australian administration in the 1980s to safeguard native flora and fauna and important seabird sites.
Key features used by visitors include walking tracks through native forest, lookouts from the park summits and access (where permitted) to offshore islets that host seabird colonies. The park also protects endemic plant species and habitats that have been reduced on the settled parts of the island.
The national park was created in the 1980s and has since been managed for conservation, scientific study and low-impact tourism; some offshore islets are seasonally restricted to protect breeding wildlife. The park complements nearby historic and cultural heritage areas on the island but is managed principally for natural values.
The park covers sections of Norfolk Island in the south-west Pacific, a small Australian external territory located roughly 1,400 km east of mainland Australia. The park occupies much of the island’s higher and more rugged terrain and includes adjacent small islets to the south and east.
- High point and breeding islets: The park includes Mount Pitt, the island’s highest point at 319 metres, and several offshore islets that are important breeding sites for seabirds and turtles.
What to See#
- Mount Pitt: A forested summit area rising to 319 metres and containing walking tracks and lookouts; the summit provides the highest viewpoints within the park.
- Phillip Island: A small offshore islet and seabird sanctuary included in the national park; popular for bird colonies and sea-lion haul-outs and managed for wildlife protection.
Nearby Attractions to Norfolk Island National Park
Best Time to Visit Norfolk Island National Park
Best visited in the Austral summer (November-March) for warm seas and full access to park trails and historic sites.
Weather & Climate near Norfolk Island National Park
Norfolk Island National Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 14°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1375 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 114 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 20° - 25° | 22° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 144 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 18° - 23° | 20° | 130 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 17° - 21° | 19° | 104 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 15° - 19° | 17° | 158 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 18° | 16° | 132 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 18° | 16° | 113 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 14° - 19° | 16° | 109 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 15° - 20° | 18° | 86 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 17° - 22° | 19° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 18° - 23° | 21° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Norfolk Island National Park
Norfolk Island National Park covers several sites across Norfolk Island. Flights arrive at Norfolk Island Airport (NLK) from Australia (Norfolk Air, QantasLink or regional carriers). From the town of Burnt Pine, the main park areas (Mount Pitt, Botanic Garden, and Kingston) are accessible by rental car or island buses; driving times are short (typically 10-30 minutes). Local guides and walking tracks provide access to the park’s trails and historic precincts.
Tips for Visiting Norfolk Island National Park
- Visit the convict ruins early in the day to avoid tour bus surges and to catch cleaner light for photography.
- Combine a visit to National Park sites (Kingston and Cascade) with a walk to Mount Pitt for views - some trails are steep but short.
- Respect protected sites: parts of the park contain fragile endemic plants found nowhere else; stick to marked paths.