Begin Photo Tour

[Photo from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#1 - Kingston Homes

These buildings at Kingston were the homes of prison administrators, and, later, when the Pitcairners arrived at Norfolk in 1856, they provided shelter for the settlers.

#2 - View over Norfolk Island

The view from a hill above Kingston is dotted with beautiful Norfolk Pines and a sweep of the Western Pacific Ocean.

#3 - Ruins of Old Kingston

The ruins at old Kingston of the Gallows Gate, the Crank Mill and other fallen buildings, draws the attention of many visitors to Norfolk Island.

#4 - Norfolk's Maritime Heritage

Norfolk has a great maritime heritage. Many of her menfolk sailed the seas or worked in her whaling fishery of an earlier day.

#5 - The Salt House

Dwarfed by the towering Norfolk Pines, the Salt House, used in earlier days, stands beside Emily Bay.

#6 - Bloody Bridge

Legend says that Bloody Bridge was the site of a prisoner revolt. A prison gang working on the bridge’s construction is said to have murdered an overseer and then walled up his body in the stonework. An overseer assigned to the bridge construction work the next day saw blood trickling from the finished stonework, dismantled the stones and discovered the murder.

#7 - Norfolk Cemetery

Three sections of the Norfolk Cemetery find headstones of the early settlers and prisoners in one section, the Pitcairners who came to Norfolk in 1856 in another, and the deceased of the present population in yet another.

#8 - The Rugged Coast

The coasts of Norfolk Island are rugged, not greatly unlike those of Pitcairn Island. Many of the coastal views are inspiring.

#9 - Norfolk's Rugged Coastline

Because of Norfolk’s rugged coastline, no harbor facility has been constructed. Ships must stand off shore and off-load their cargoes for the island onto small boats.

#10 - Norfolk Pines

Norfolk Pines frame a tranquil scene along the coast of the island.

#11 - Phillip Island

Unhabited Philip Island, lying a few miles off-shore from Norfolk, is named after former Governor Arthur Philip who played a leading role in the development of the island.

#12 - The Grassy Meadows of Norfolk Island

When first discovered by European explorers, Norfolk was thickly forested throughout. Today lush, grassy meadows are found in many parts of the island.

#13 - Norfolk Cattle

Cattle have always had the right-of-way on Norfolk Island, with fresh cow’s milk forming an important part of the islanders’ diet.

#14 - Cascade Whaling Station

A view of Cascade Whaling Station

#15 - England's Claim

On October 10, 1774, Captain James Cook first sighted Norfolk and laid claim to the island for England.

#16 - Monument to Captain Cook's Discovery

The plaque set into the monument that marks Captain Cook’s discovery of Norfolk Island, gives details of the important event.

#17 - Supplies Arriving

When a ship appears off-shore, the usually quiet landing at Kingston, Norfolk Island, comes alive with those who tend the island boats that bring supplies ashore, those who expect supplies to arrive, and visitors.

#18 - Bringing Cargo Ashore by Lighter to Cascade Jetty

While the ship lays to well off-shore, Norfolk Island boats begin the ferrying of supplies from ship to shore. Most people arrive at Norfolk Island by air rather than by ship. 

[Photo and text from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#19 - Cascade

The jetty at Cascade is only used to land supplies on Norfolk if the Kingston facility is closed because of foul weather. Cascade was a much-used landing at Norfolk during the island’s whaling days.

#20 - Panoramic view from Mt. Pitt overlooking Burnt Pine

Located close to the center of Norfolk is Burnt Pine, the commercial center of the island.

[Photo and text from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#21 - Burnt Pine

Burnt Pine, the hub of Norfolk’s commerce, is a popular tourist attraction with its several shops that sell unique island crafts.

#22 - Capitalizing on the Bounty Saga

Numerous commercial enterprises on Norfolk take advantage of the island’s connection to the mutiny on HMS Bounty and to Pitcairn Island.

#23 - Fletcher's Wall

This Norfolk commercial enterprise displays its connection with Fletcher Christian, master’s mate on HMS Bounty.

#24 - Pitcairners' Memorial Hall

Built along simple and practical lines is Norfolk’s Pitcairners' Memorial Hall.

#25 - Pitcairners' Memorial Hall Plaque

The Church of England, whose Pitcairners’ Memorial Hall is an oft-visited tourist site, is a dominant religious denomination on Norfolk Island.

#26 - Barnabas' Chapel

Built of rough-hewn stone from Kingston, this historic chapel was dedicated in 1880 to the Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop Patteson, who was killed in the Solomons in 1871.

[Photo and text from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#27 - Inside of St. Barnabas' Chapel

The inside of St. Barnabas Chapel even exceeds the promise of the outside. The east end [includes] five stained-glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. . . .

[Photo and text from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#28 - St. Barnabas' Chapel Rose Window

Other features of St. Barnabas' Chapel include "the beautifully carved walnut reredos with mosaic inlay, the polished marble floor and marble font, the rose window, the pews with pearl-shell Christian symbols hand-carved by the Solomon Islanders, and the great silver cross--all held securely and serenely in the framework of massive dark brown timbers." [Text from Norfolk Island: Living History]

#29 - Seventh-day Adventist Church on Norfolk Island

The congregation of the Seventh-day Adventist church on Norfolk Island includes a number of “Pitcairners,” who trace their lineage back through Pitcairn Island to the sailors who mutinied on HMS Bounty in 1789.

#30 - Green Parrots

Away from Burnt Pine and other busy areas, . . . the elusive and rare native Green Parrots . . . still wheel and cry. They are also depicted on a popular Norfolk stamp. [Photo on right and text from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]

#31 - Cannon from HMS Bounty

The Norfolk Island Museum houses a number of historical items from HMS Bounty, including this four-pounder cannon.

#32 - HMS Bounty Anvil

HMS Bounty’s anvil is among the many items of interest in the Norfolk Island Museum.

#33 - Kettle from HMS Bounty

A kettle, likely used for cooking food on HMS Bounty, is on display in the Norfolk Island Museum.

#34 - Norfolk Island Pines and Long Boat

Young equestrians pause under stately Norfolk Island pines sheltering an old long boat made from the same timber. [Photo and caption from Norfolk Island: Living History. Used by permission.]