Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Description
The Lord Howe Island Group, comprising Lord Howe Island, Admiralty Islands, Mutton Bird Islands, Ball's Pyramid, and associated coral reefs and marine environments is located 600 kilometres (370 mi) directly East of Port Macquarie and 700 kilometres (435 mi) Northeast of Sydney.
The main island is an irregular crescent approximately 11 km (7 mi) long, covers an area of 1,463 km2 (565 mi2) and is dominated in the South by the volcanic peaks of Mount Gower (875 metres (2875 feet)) and Mount Lidgbird (777 metres(2547 feet)).
In the north, where most of the population live, high points are Malabar (209 metres (686 ft)) and Mount Eliza (147 metres (482 ft)). Between these two uplands is an area of cleared lowland with some farming, an airstrip, and most of the housing and. Most of the island is dominated by rainforests and palm forest, with grasslands occuring on the more exposed areas, particulary the central lowland.
Surrounding the island is the southern-most coral reef in the world, providing a rare example of the transition between coral and algal reefs.
Flora and Fauna
The islands support extensive colonies of nesting seabirds, and at least 168 bird species, a number of which are either rare or endangered, have been recorded either living on, or visiting, the island. Probably the most significant of these is one of the world's rarest bird species, the woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris). During the 20th century the population of woodhens experienced a significant decline in numbers as a result of hunting by humans, habitat loss and disturbance by feral animals. Over the last few years a successful captive breeding program and other conservation measures have increased the numbers of these small flightless birds to around 220. They're surprisingly approachable and are often seen roaming about the resort areas.
The islands are one of two known breeding areas for the providence petrel, a species that is also found nesting on Phillip Island, near Norfolk Island. The Lord Howe Island Group contains what is probably the largest breeding concentration in the world of the Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda, and the most southerly breeding colony of the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra. There's yods of Frigate Birds (Fregatidae around the mountainous areas, and Wedge-tailed Mutton Birds (Puffinus pacificus galore. The Mutton Birds really make their presence known when they come ashore after dark from their all-day fishing expeditions and crash about in the undergrowth looking for their burrows.
There are 241 different species of native plants, of which 105 are endemic to Lord Howe Island, at least one of which has become famous around the world as a result of the palm seed industry which was begun in the 1880s when it was found that one of the four palms endemic to the island, the Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana), which grows naturally in the lowlands, was ideally suited to the fashionable conservatories of the well-to-do in Britain, Europe and America.
Discovery and Settlement
The first reported European sighting of Lord Howe Island was on 17 February 1788 when Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, commander of the Armed Tender HMS Supply (the oldest and smallest of the First Fleet ships) was on its way from Botany Bay with a cargo of 15 convicts (9 male, 6 female) to found a penal settlement on Norfolk Island. On the return journey on 13 March 1788 Ball observed Balls Pyramid and sent a party ashore on Lord Howe Island to claim it as a British possession. The island was named after Richard Howe, First Earl Howe, who was First Lord of the Admiralty at the time.
By the 1830s there was a small permanent settlement in the lowland area of the main island. The settlers made a living by hunting and fishing, and by growing vegetables, fruit and meat for trade with passing ships. Pigs and goats, which were introduced to Lord Howe Island for food, later went wild and caused extensive vegetation and habitat changes, threatening populations of native species. Rats arrived on the island in 1918 from a wrecked ship, and have since been responsible for the extinction of five bird species. Over the last decade there have been intensive efforts to control these feral animals. Wild pigs, cats and goats have been successfully eradicated. The Lord Howe Island Board has also embarked on an ambitious weed eradication strategy and is in the early stages of planning for a rodent eradication programme subject to necessary licensing approvals and field trials.
Management of the Lord Howe Island Group
Most of the main island and all of the offshore islands are included in the Lord Howe Island Permanent Park Preserve.
Lord Howe Island and its associated islands are under the care, control and management of the Lord Howe Island Board which reports directly to the New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water.
When carrying out its functions, the Board is required to have particular regard to the World Heritage status of the area and to conserve those values for which the area was added to the list in 1982.
A marine national park was declared by the State of New South Wales in 1999 to increase protection of the marine environment. A Commonwealth Marine Reserve was declared in 2002, covering most of the World Heritage property and extending around Lord Howe Island and Ball's Pyramid from three to 12 nautical miles.
Tourism
Only 400 tourists are permitted at any one time in addition to the 357 permanent residents.
With less than 1000 people on the island at any time facilities are minimal but include: a bakery, butcher, general store, liquor store, restaurants, post office, museum and information centre, policeman, and ranger. Stores are shipped to the island fortnightly by the Island Trader from Port Macquarie. There is a small 4-bed hospital and dispensary with a well-labelled botanic garden displaying Lord Howe Island plants in its grounds. There is no need for public transport (rented bicyles are the go) and diesel-generated power is 240v AC, as on the mainland. The island is beyond the reach of mobile phones and TV (Nirvana!) but there are public phones and faxes, internet access, and island radio.
Tourist accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to apartments, villa units. The currency is Australian dollars and there are two banks. There are no camping facilities on the island and remote area camping is not permitted. To protect the fragile and unique environment of Balls Pyramid (which supports the endangered Lord Howe Island phasmid) recreational climbing is prohibited; no pets are allowed without permission from the Board
The island is serviced by scheduled flights from Sydney or Brisbane (approximately two hours).
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