Norfolk Island is situated in the South Pacific Ocean at latitude 29 degrees south, longitude 168 degrees east, 1,676 kilometres northeast of Sydney, Australia, and 1,065 kilometres north of Auckland, New Zealand. The island is volcanic in origin with 32 kilometres of coastline consisting chiefly of high cliffs.







We have provided the following information about Norfolk Island for your interest.

Time:

Greenwich Mean Time plus 11½ hours.

Climate:

sub-tropical;

average daily maximum temperature range 15.8 degrees to 26.5 degrees Celsius, minimum 11 degrees to 24 degrees Celsius;

average annual rainfall 135 centimetres fairly well-distributed; and,

climate suitable for cultivating a variety of crops, and for grazing.

Status:

Australian external territory.

Capital:

Kingston.

Population:

1,977 (mid-1986), compared with 2,175 (mid-1981);

many residents are descendants of mutineers from the HMS Bounty who had settled on Pitcairn Island, but then moved in 1856 to Norfolk, a larger island; and,

other residents include descendants of later settlers, mostly from Australia and New Zealand.

Main languages:

Norfolkese dialect, English.

Official language:

English.

Main religion:

Christianity.

Currency:

The Australian dollar (AU$)

Exports:

palm products, cereals, vegetables, fruit, Norfolk Island pine seeds. Tourism-based economy; invisible exports such as cameras, radios and watches enter at low rate of customs duty and are sold to visitors returning to higher duty areas.

Imports:

motor vehicles, jewellery, beer, wines and spirits, liquid fuels, radio accessories.

Tourism:

approximately 30,000 arrivals per year; most important revenue-earning activity, coupled with re-exportation of low-duty luxury goods.