Geographical Location
Norfolk Island is 1610kms ENE of Sydney, 1456kms ESE of Brisbane, 1063kms NNW of Auckland and 772kms SE of Noumea. Norfolk Island is a volcanic outcrop 8km long and 5km wide. Two smaller uninhabited islands, Nepean and Phillip, lie to the south at a distance of 1km and 6km respectively. Norfolk Island is 3855ha.

Language
The language spoken on Norfolk Island is English, but you'll hear the Islanders speaking Norfolk, a unique language derived from the speech of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives and companions who settled Pitcairn Island in 1790. Here's a taste of the local language:

Watawieh Yourle? How are you Si Yourle Morla See you tomorrow
Kushu Good Hili Lazy

CLIMATE
Subtropical. Average rainfall 1328mm per year. Lovely summer days from 24 degrees but not exceeding 28.4 degrees, nights 19-21 degrees. Idylic days mid-winter, with temperatures ranging from 12 at night to 19-21 degrees during the day.

CLOTHING
Comfortable and casual day and night. It's wise to pack a sweater and light nylon jacket, strong shoes for walking and a torch for night outings. Remember a hat and sunscreen.

CUSTOMS
Imports of fruit, vegetables, flowers and seeds are prohibited. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are also prohibited. The duty-free allowance is one litre of alcohol and 200 cigarettes.

DEPARTURE FEE
All departing travellers must pay a $30 Departure Fee, payable at the airport on day of departure or at the Visitor Information Centre prior. Exemptions apply to those under 16 years and passengers in transit for less than 24 hours.

ELECTRICITY
240 volts AC, 50 cycles, three pin plug. As electricity is made locally by diesel generators, a power surge protection device is advised for electronic equipment, particularly computers.

LIQUOR
Generally cheaper than mainland prices. Spirits are 20-50% cheaper. The Government operated Liquor Bond Store supplies all liquor. A special concession for visitors entitles airline ticket holders to a once-only 30% discount off marked prices for a maximum of three litres of spirits.

GETTING TO NORFOLK ISLAND
Frequent jet aircraft services are available between Norfolk Island and Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland.

ENTRY
Visitors travelling to or from Australia or New Zealand and in possession of either a current Australian or New Zealand passport, a visa for entry to Australia or New Zealand or the right of visa-free entry to either of those countries are granted automatic entry to Norfolk Island. All other visitors must obtain a Visitor's Permit, available from the Norfolk Island Immigration Office prior to arrival. Australian Citizens can also use a Certificate of Identification obtainable from the Post Office.

MONEY MATTERS
The unit of exchange is the Australian dollar. The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac have branches at Burnt Pine. The Commonwealth Bank has an ATM. Travellers cheques and most credit cards are widely accepted.

POPULATION
Norfolk has approximately 1800 citizens with roughly equal numbers of Pitcairn descendants, Australians and New Zealanders.

SHOPPING
Usual shopping hours are 9-5. Some shops are closed all day Sundays, and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Supermarkets open 7 days, Philatelic Bureau open Monday to Friday, NI has its own postage stamps.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
International Direct Dialing telephones, telegrams and facsimile services available. Public IDD coin operated booths open 24 hours. Local calls free. Only Norfolk Island phone cards are accepted. Mobile telephones are not operable on Norfolk Island.

TIME DIFFERENCE
One and a half hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time, in summertime half an hour ahead of Sydney and one and a half hours behind New Zealand. Norfolk Island does not have daylight saving.