Reports of closure greatly exaggerated: Lord Howe Island very much open

Reports of Lord Howe Island’s closure have been greatly exaggerated, new information confirms.

Reports spread earlier this week after the Lord Howe Island Board announced the permanent park reserve had been temporarily closed via their Facebook page. A post that has since been deleted.

However, a statement from Lord Howe Island Tourism says the closure isn’t island wide, and only 5% of its tracks are affected by the closure.

The Lord Howe Island Permanent Park Preserve (PPP) which makes up 70% of the island land mass, has been subjected to a noxious airborne weed called Myrtle Rust. This is currently being eliminated with additional resources being brought in to do so. The walking trails make up less than 5% of the total PPP and it’s only the walking trails that are currently closed to the public including our visitors,” a statement said.

“The remainder of the PPP was never accessible to visitors so it’s incorrect for visitors to be told that 70% of the island is closed to them or that the island is closed altogether.”

“Normally, 30% of the island (the settlement area) is where all activities are undertaken and where all restaurants, accommodation and tours operate.”

“It is literally only the walking trails that are currently closed,” a spokesperson told Travel Weekly.

The message being loud and clear, Lord Howe Island is still open for business!

Below are some examples of what you can do right now:

• Snorkel off the beach – best beach snorkel in Australia at Neds Beach
• Glass bottom boat in lagoon
• Snorkel tour at several lagoon locations
• Scuba dive
• Snorkel with the sharks
• A turtle watching tour – marvel at large Green turtles swimming or resting on the seafloor
• Swimming in cleanest water in Australia
• Walk amongst seabirds on Neds Beach
• View visiting wader birds on Old Settlement and North Beach
• Enjoy sunset with drinks or BBQ at one of many beaches ion the Lagoon side of the island
• Up early and watch the sunrise on the eastern side of the island
• Hire a kayak and explore the lagoon
• Stand up paddle boarding
• Visit the museum to lean about the island human and natural history
• Enjoy free documentary screenings at the museum daily 10.30 am
• Go deep sea fishing and enjoy the island scenery while catching Kingfish, trevally, wahoo or tuna
• Take a round island boat trip to marvel at the islands rugged coastline and cliffs
• Take a 3.5 hour cruise to Balls Pyramid – the world’s tallest ocean stack
• Enjoy fine dining at a number of restaurants, specialising in local fish caught straight from the ocean
• Enjoy a round of golf at one of the worlds most scenic golf courses
• Relax under the palms and read with gentle sound of surf in the background
• Sample locally made beer at the Brewery
• Walk along the rugged east coat of the island with views to sea and the Admiralty islets
• Enjoy the loop walk through Stevens Reserve and marvel at tall banyan trees many hundreds of years old.
• Enjoy a tour of the Kentia palm nursery
• Take a guided bus tour around the island roads to learn about history, flora and fauna
• Take time to polish up your photographic skills with some stunning landscapes, flora, birds and sunsets
• Enjoy a lively powerpoint lecture at the museum by island naturalist Ian Hutton
• Lose yourself beachcombing along a deserted beach
• Go rock pool exploring on the rocky seashore to discover a myriad of marine creatures.
• At Neds Beach enjoy watching seabirds including Sooty terns, Brown Noddies, White terns and Black winged petrels
• Enjoy cycling to explore the settlement – ultra safe for kids with 25km/hr speed limit

So, get to it!