Lord Howe Island is an Australian island located 600km from the mainland. It boasts stunning scenery, rare and unique wildlife, and lush subtropical vegetation. Boating, fishing, and scuba diving are popular activities for visitors to this isolated paradise.
The island is also a designated World Heritage site, as its isolation has created ecological conditions that support endangered species of birds, reptiles, fish, and plants not found anywhere else in the world.
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Lord Howe Island Facts for Kids
- Lord Howe Island is located in the Pacific Ocean.
- It is home to many unique plant and animal species.
- The island is a World Heritage site.
- It is home to the world’s most southerly coral reefs.
- Lord Howe Island has a population of about 350 people.
- The island is a popular tourist destination.
Preserved
Lord Howe Island has been preserved since it was first sighted by Europeans. It was declared a “Forest Reserve” in 1878, and tree planting, palm trade, and road construction were encouraged.
Adventures
The late 1800s saw numerous scientific expeditions to the island, which subsequently opened up the prospect of establishing a forest reserve and starting a palm trade business.
Harvesting: Palm trees were harvested for their kentia palms, and coffee plants began to grow on the island’s land. Over time, vegetables like pumpkin, corn, carrots, potatoes, and tropical fruits also started growing.
Uninhabited
As far as the indigenous Polynesians in the South Pacific are concerned, Lord Howe Island was largely unknown to them before any European settlements occurred there.
Settlement
After being sighted by Europeans, permanent settlement occurred in June 1834. Three men set up a supply station for their whaling firm and began bartering goods with passing ships for essentials such as tea, sugar, and tobacco that couldn’t be found on the island.
Population
There were only 11 people living on the island in 1849, but since gold was discovered in Australia, there were more trade routes that led to more settlers being attracted to the island over time.
Tourism
The island really only began attracting tourists after World War II when an airport was completed in 1947.
Surveyors
A hydrographic survey conducted by Henry Denham between 1851-1854 revealed more insight into the area’s navigational waters as well as ideas of how it could sustain agricultural growth – thousands of years later, this idea is still practiced today!
Trade
Tourists may have brought a boost to Lord Howe Island’s income, but palm trading still remains one of its largest sources of income alongside tourism.
Conservation
Due to modern-day tourism, however, a conservation issue has been raised – suggesting greater oversight is needed when it comes to protecting this beautiful part of Australia from environmental degradation caused by commercialization!
What is Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island is an isolated crescent-shaped island in the western Pacific Ocean. It covers 4.62 square miles and is 11km long and 2.8km wide (about 7 x 2 miles), with incredible oceanic beauty.
Its formation stemmed from an ancient shield volcano that violently erupted for 500,000 years – leaving behind dramatic mountains, a lagoon, a coral reef, and rugged terrain.
The climate on Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island’s climate can be described as subtropical, with plentiful rainfall, occasional storms and cyclones, fluctuating temperatures, and record amounts of rain throughout the year.
Flora & Fauna on Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island contains a plethora of plants and wildlife! Over half the island’s unique flora (or plants) are endemic to this verdant paradise – creating a stunning cloud forest across its mountaintops.
Unmissable tropical palm trees give this picturesque landscape a truly idyllic touch. In addition to many bird species, the island also teems with fish life and some feral animals, but luckily nothing that poses any danger to visitors – such as highly venomous snakes, stinging insects, or daytime sharks.
One of the last known populations of the once thought-extinct Lord Howe Island sticks insects are found at Ball’s Pyramid – a jagged rocky inlet inhabited by birds.
Important Facts and Overview
Lord Howe Island is located 600 miles (965 km) east of the Australian mainland.
The island is home to the famous Mount Gower, a popular hiking destination.
Lord Howe Island is located near Norfolk Island.
Mount Lidgbird is another popular attraction on the island, known for its breathtaking views.
Lord Howe Island has a wild population of many unique plant and animal species, including the Howe Island stick insect and several species of fish.
The island is home to an untouched forest with a subtropical climate, providing a habitat for many rare and endangered species.
The Lord Howe Island bird feathertail is a small, endangered species found only on the island.
Lord Howe Island is home to many endemic species, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.
The island is home to several endemic bird species, including the Lord Howe Island woodhen and the Lord Howe Island currawong.
The waters around Lord Howe Island are known for their abundant marine life, including the yellowtail kingfish, which is popular with sports fishermen.
The Mutton Bird Islands, located just off the coast of Lord Howe Island, are home to a breeding colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters.
The island is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and unique plant and animal life.
Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage site recognized for its important cultural and natural values.
