City: Norfolk Island
Top Things to do in Norfolk Island
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7 Historic Sites in Norfolk Island That You Shouldn't Miss
At first glance, it’s hard to believe that vibrant Norfolk Island could have a dark past. Yet during the 19th century, the now-peaceful Australian retreat was a convict colony, home to criminals who’d been banished into exile. Today, the archaeological remains of the penal colony have UNESCO World Heritage status and are revered for their historical significance. You can visit the settlement’s remains, an eerie yet beautiful collection that includes a jail, a cemetery, lumbar yard and salt house.
Restaurants in Norfolk Island
1. Pitcairn Settlers Village
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By NellyDare - Toowoomba, Australia
We visited in December 2020. Dinty was our guide. She is very passionate about history and it is very obvious she had a special friendship and admiration for Marie Bailey, which makes the tour even more personal and special. The tour includes the history of the Pitcairn settlement intertwined with the story of Marie Bailey, the amazing woman who brought tourism to Norfolk Island. The amount of items on display was mind boggling and we could actually touch and feel them (not locked away in cabinets like most museums). Things that come to mind are the whale vertebrae used as a milking stool, the old gramophone which Dinty played for us, the replica whaling boat, and the blacksmith's bellows. We also did a short tour in a 1928 tourist 'bus' around the property where Dinty showed us the different crops grown there and explained how they grow, and how to cook them. She even showed us the easy way to get on and off the bus which made it very enjoyable for a lot of the older folks on the tour. It was a terrific afternoon. We believe there is a new night-time tour being planned and we hope to do that if its up and running on our return in August 2021.
2. Old Military Barracks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By cutler2019 - Thornton, Australia
See the review for the Cemetery. Well maintained by a dedicated staff and willing volunteers, to make the visit truly memorable.
3. Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 280 reviews
Reviewed By 783JohnM783 - Geelong, Australia
The past nearly comes alive when you wander around these areas, particularly if you have a local guide giving a run down on past events. Today it is beautiful, but there was a time when it was the most severe hell-hole of a prison in the British Empire. There is an aura about it that can only be experienced by being there. You cannot feel it from pictures in a book.
4. The Crankmill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Ellemay - Sydney, Australia
The Crankmill is located at Kingston Pier in the world heritage listed area. The Crankmill served as a facility for convicts from 1837 to 1855. Steeped in convict history, a team of convicts was required to turn two gigantic grindstones to mill the corn.
5. The Salthouse Kingston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By Ellemay - Sydney, Australia
The Salthouse is located overlooking beautiful Emily Bay at the Kingston Historic Area. It was built in 1848 and was extremely important to the survival of the penal settlement. There were no refrigerators so the salt was essential for preserving the meat products.
6. Government House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By jeanmF7411WU
We were lucky enough to visit this place on one of their open days which only happen about once a month. The gardens are beautiful and the interior of the house is really well presented and preserved. Well worth a visit.
7. The Arches
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 42 reviews
Remains of old convict barracks.
Reviewed By Ellemay - Sydney, Australia
We stumbled onto the Arches whilst driving down Bumbora country lane. We stopped immediately as the ruins were extremely impressive. We later found out the brick arches were built by the convicts. They were apart of the Longridge Settlement which consisted of 35 buildings which included the prisoners barracks, stables, barns and houses for the officers.
