Destination

Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, around 700km north east of Sydney, Australia, Lord Howe Island is a small, breathtakingly beautiful island, measuring just 11km long and 2.8km at its widest point. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982, the island is surrounded by a reef-fringed lagoon, rolling surf and the world’s southern-most coral reef. Lord Howe Island has around 350 permanent residents with visitors limited to 400 at any one time. Lord Howe is a pristine natural environment with around three-quarters of the island preserved as permanent national and marine park. How do I get there?

Baillie Lodges acknowledges the First Nations people who are the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

James Vodicka8

Lord Wow!

Lord Howe Island is a subtropical ‘treasure island’ preserved in time. An intoxicating blend of pristine beaches, rich pastures, lush rainforests and sheer volcanic peaks rising from the reef, Lord Howe is a sanctuary for rare plants, sea birds and marine life. Home to hundreds of rare and endemic species, a visit to the island has the sense of a National Geographic expedition.

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Unforgettable encounters

With Capella Lodge as luxury basecamp, guests take to walking tracks to explore towering mountain ridges, subtropical forests and white-sanded beaches. Climb to the summit of Mount Gower on a guided day walk, rated one of the world’s best. Dive in to the clear, warm waters and discover a vibrant submarine world where a riot of fish cruise among the corals.

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Ned’s Beach

One of Lord Howe’s best-loved beaches, Ned's is popular for its beach, reef-snorkelling and picnicking options. Feeding the fish at Ned's is guaranteed to delight and one of the most memorable experiences on a holiday on Lord Howe.

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Malabar walk

The Malabar walk on the island’s northern end opens up a number of longer walk options and offers classic views of the island looking towards the crescent shaped lagoon and Mounts Gower and Lidgbird.

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Glass Bottom boat

A tour of the reef by glass-bottom boat with optional snorkel is a wonderful start to a Lord Howe holiday. The island’s excellent operators are based in the boat sheds on the lagoon near the CBD.

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Mt Gower expedition

Rising some 875 metres above sea level, Mount Gower is the larger of the twin mountain peaks which dominate the tiny island landscape. A guided day hike to the summit is rated one of the world’s best.

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North Bay cruise

Lord Howe Island’s North Bay is a sheltered area of the reef, ideal for snorkelling around the lagoon’s own shipwreck and the best spot for an encounter with Green Sea turtles as they feed among the seagrasses.

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BBQ island-style

Enjoying a barbecue lunch in one of Lord Howe’s many idyllic picnic spots is the best way to embrace the relaxed island way of life. Capella offers gourmet lunch packs with all the essentials for a lazy afternoon by the sea.

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Ball's Pyramid

Intriguing and mysterious, Ball's Pyramid is the world’s tallest sea stack and rises some 562 metres from the Pacific Ocean around 20 km south of Lord Howe. It's also home to a once thought extinct insect!

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Natural heritage

World
heritage

Recognised as providing enduring habitat for an incredible range of rare and endemic flora and fauna, Lord Howe Island has been a protected marine park for more than a century. The small island, identified as an ancient volcanic remnant, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1982.

Rainforest walks
Reef wonders

Reef wonders

Warmed by currents flowing from the Coral Sea, Lord Howe’s crescent-shaped island protects a coral reef, the most southerly in the world. Naturally free of marine stingers, and with fascinating tidal rock pools, turtle grazing areas and coral outcrops just offshore, an experience of the reef is as easy as taking a snorkel and fins and wandering into the water from the shore.

Capella cuisine

Natural
selection

Dining at Capella Lodge is a celebration of fresh local ingredients with an abundance of fresh line-caught fish and seafood starring on the daily menus. Island growers produce organic fruits and heirloom vegetables, and the finest regional produce is sourced from the mainland. Read our Dining Philosophy.

Lord Howe Seasons

Warm maritime currents from the Coral Sea endow this iconic island with a near perfect climate often likened to perpetual spring. Encounter the intriguing rare bird species that choose Lord Howe as their preferred seasonal nesting stopover, explore walks of varying grades amongst ancient palm forests and along basalt rises, all with amazing island and ocean views. Lord Howe Island is endowed with a near perfect climate often likened to perpetual spring. Summers are warm and winters mild, with ocean swimming a delight between September and May thanks to the warm currents flowing from the Coral Sea to the north. Walking, hiking and many other activities are enjoyed year-round.

Summer

Summer

(DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)

Summer is idyllic on Lord Howe Island, where a traditional Australian summer holiday is on offer. Swimming and snorkelling, enjoying ice-creams and getting lost in the view make for perfect pursuits. The simple pleasure of a long and lazy barbecue lunch is a favourite Lord Howe tradition. Fresh sea breezes keep the vibe cool.
Daytime temperatures range from 25–28°C in Summer.

Autumn

Autumn

(MARCH – MAY)

Many consider autumn the best time to visit Lord Howe, when the days are mild and the water warm for swimming. Autumn is a beautiful time to admire the wildlife and enjoy the many island activities on offer year-round, such as reef walking and bird watching. During autumn thousands of Providence petrels arrive for their winter breeding season.
Daytime temperatures range from 22–25°C in Autumn.

Winter

Winter

(JUNE – AUGUST)

The gentle cool season from May to September offers great opportunities to explore walks of varying grades amongst ancient palm forests and along basalt rises, all with amazing island and ocean views. Walk the Little Island track at the base of Mount Gower to witness the Providence petrels’ mid-air courtship antics.
Daytime temperatures range from 18–22°C in Winter.

Spring

Spring

(SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)

Spring is a spectacular time to visit Lord Howe as the island's flora and fauna flourish in the warm temperatures. It's the best season to encounter the many bird species that fly in to Lord Howe as their chosen nesting stopover. Watch out for the eggs and chicks of white terns balanced precariously on a tree limb!
Daytime temperatures range from 20–22°C in Spring.

Getting there

Lord Howe Island is situated in the Tasman Sea, 600km east of the Australian mainland and 780 kilometres north-east of Sydney in New South Wales. Just 11 kilometres long and 2.8 kilometres at its widest point, Lord Howe has around 350 permanent residents, with visitors limited to 400 at any one time. 

GettingThere-Map
  • Scheduled flights

    Qantaslink operates regular daily two-hour flights from Sydney to Lord Howe Island. Aircraft are the Bombardier Dash 8-200 turboprop aircraft which seat up to 32 passengers. Checked baggage needs to weigh 14kg or under for guaranteed transfer, though total checked luggage of up to 23kg is permitted and best divided among two or more bags in case the second is laid off until a later flight. An additional 7kg carry on luggage is permitted.

    Eastern Air Services operates flights to Lord Howe Island from Port Macquarie, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.

  • Charter flights

    Delivering the ultimate in luxury comfort and flexibility for custom plans, a private air charter is a spectacular way to travel. Capella partners with Navair Jet Services to offer private jet charter flights between Sydney (Bankstown Airport) and Lord Howe Island:

    Aircraft type Maximum passenger capacity Flight time Rate
    Citation Mustang 5 1 hour 40 mins From $15,500 return based on a two night stay
    King Air 9 2 hours From $18,050 return based on a two night stay

    Pricing is indicative (conditions apply); maximum payload weights apply – please enquire for details.

  • Airport transfers

    Complimentary transfers

    Capella’s managers meet guests off their arriving flights for complimentary transfer to the lodge. Transfer is in a private vehicle, potentially with fellow Capella guests. Transfers to meet departure flights, or to other accommodation on checkout is also provided by the Capella team.

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Lodge

Barefoot luxury

With clear views over the Pacific Ocean and the world’s southern-most coral reef, Capella Lodge rests above Lord Howe Island’s tiny, secret beach at Lovers Bay and at the foot of the imperious twin peaks, Mounts Gower and Lidgbird.

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Dine

A natural selection

Capella Lodge holds a far-reaching reputation as Lord Howe’s knock-out dining destination. A regional approach to cuisine ensures the finest and freshest produce from Lord Howe Island and New South Wales is showcased in every inspired menu.

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Spa

Heaven sent

The petite Capella Spa indulges body and soul. A signature menu of rejuvenating and relaxation treatments embraces the island’s endemic kentia palms and marine environment.

TIME TO INDULGE