Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
DepartsSun 15 Nov 2026Returns Sun 22 Nov 2026
Duration7 nights
OperatorBotanica World Journeys
StylePackage
HighlightIncludes return airfares from Sydney!
Walk in the footsteps of James Cook and explore its rich convict heritage. See the iconic Norfolk Island pine and visit a unique plant nursery with Margaret Christian. Travel with a small…
Step back in time as you explore Norfolk Island. Rich in convict history and home to descendants of the infamous HMS Bounty, the remote island is a model of self-sufficiency and sustainability. Walk in the footsteps of James Cook and visit the former home of Colleen McCullough. Meet locals and enjoy a visit to a rare plant nursery with Margaret Christian. See the iconic Norfolk Island pine, along with many other endemic species that make the island’s landscapes so unique.
Highlights
See rare and endangered plants including Phillip Island Hibiscus and Norfolk tree fern
Learn about convict history, the infamous HMS Bounty and its crew’s descendants
Naturalist Walk with Margaret Christian
Discover rare flowers and shrubs, including the Norfolk Island Hibiscus
Uncovering Norfolk Island’s Rich History with Botanical Guide, Judy Horton
Day by day
Itinerary
1
Sydney to Norfolk Island
Meet at Sydney airport for your flight to Norfolk Island. On arrival, transfer to the Governor's Lodge Resort, set within 12 acres of landscaped subtropical gardens. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your hotel.
Governor's Lodge ResortD
2
Island Tour, Private Garden Visit, and Progressive Dinner
Visit Norfolk Island's key historic areas, including Kingston, Cascade and Longridge. See famous convict buildings and St Barnabas Chapel. Explore the island's enchanting gardens, including a private garden, and discover Norfolk Island's native flora and fauna. This evening, gain firsthand insight into Norfolk Island living during a Progressive Dinner, visiting Norfolk Island family homes while having dinner and hearing about their family histories.
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3
Colleen McCullough's Home or Cyclorama, Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise
This morning, half the group will visit the former home of author Colleen McCullough, while the rest experience Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama, an expansive painting illustrating the story of the mutiny on the Bounty with an almost 3D effect. Explore the nearby Bounty Museum. This afternoon, enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride viewing incredible coral gardens with more than 100 species of fish. Tonight, enjoy dinner at Hilli's Restaurant.
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4
Paddock-to-Plate Experience, Cyclorama or Colleen McCullough's Home
Visit a local market garden that supplies vegetables to the island, as well as a cattle farm to understand unique farming practices on Norfolk Island. Final stop at a local home for a delicious paddock-to-plate two-course lunch featuring local ingredients. This afternoon, visit either Fletcher's Mutiny Cyclorama or Colleen McCullough's home. Dine at your hotel this evening.
Governor's Lodge ResortLD
5
Kingston Convict Tour, Pitcairn Settlers Village, and Island Fish Fry
Learn about Norfolk Island's brutal convict history during a tour of the Kingston area. Walk through the cemetery and see the Pier Store, Boat Shed, Crank Mill, and ruins of the New Gaol. After lunch, enjoy a tour of the Pitcairn Settlers Village, gaining insight into the lives of a local family whose ancestors have lived here since 1856. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Norfolk Island dinner at the Island Fish Fry on a private property, 'Orn Dar Cliff', with spectacular coastal backdrop and sunset views.
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6
Naturalist Walk, Ball Bay, Bumbora Beach, and Mt Pitt
Enjoy a special naturalist walk identifying the flora and birdlife of the island, led by Margaret Christian, formerly Norfolk Island's park ranger for 20 years. Visit forest, coastal, and wetland areas where you may see many of the island's endemic species and birdlife. This afternoon, take a scenic drive visiting coastal Ball Bay, Bumbora Beach, and Mt Pitt, where you will have wine and cheese with 360° views of the island. Dinner at your hotel this evening.
Governor's Lodge ResortD
7
Breakfast Bushwalk, Botanic Garden, and Hundred Acre Reserve
This morning, choose from two 'breakfast bushwalks' offering spectacular coastal scenery and the chance to spot endemic plants such as Norfolk tree fern, Phillip Island Hibiscus, two-frond fern, and bastard oak. Visit the Captain Cook Monument, a scenic lookout on the northern coast where Captain James Cook and his officers landed in 1774, with some of the best sea views on the island and offshore rock formations like Bird Rock and Elephant Rock. Later, explore Norfolk Island's Botanic Garden and Hundred Acre Reserve to see more of the island's unique plant life. Enjoy dinner at The Homestead, a working farm embracing the farm-to-plate philosophy.
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8
Norfolk Island to Sydney
This morning, head to the township of Burnt Pine, where you will visit the local market and browse its quaint shops before being transferred to the airport for your onward journey home.
What you get for the price
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Travel with a small group of 15-25 guests
Travel by coach with an experienced and informative local Coach Captain
7 nights’ accommodation
Sydney return flights in economy class
Return private airport-to-hotel transfers
16 meals and select beverages
All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Visit private gardens and join a naturalist walk with local Margaret Christian
Visit Colleen McCullough’s home
Visit the Botanic Gardens
Glass-bottom boat cruise
3-Course Progressive Dinner
Island Fish Fry Dinner
Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama
Pitcairn Settlers Village Tour
Not included
Travel Insurance
Where you’ll stay
Accommodation
7 Nights at Governor’s Lodge (or similar)
The Governor’s Lodge Resort
From the operator
Common questions about this voyage
Trip Notes
Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
Fitness rating: Low
Group size: 15 to 25 guests
Ready to lock in?
Book this package
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.
Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.
A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.
Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.
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