Five things you probably didn't know about Norfolk Island!

Norfolk Island is famed for its stunning scenery, its colourful past, and it’s get-away-from-itall location. But there is a lot more to Norfolk Island than convicts and sunsets, so here’s five things you probably didn’t know about Norfolk - and four things you really should know!

1) Waving is mandatory

If you are out and about on Norfolk Island it won’t be long before you notice that drivers acknowledge each other with a friendly hand gesture. Known as The Norfolk Wave, it’s a long-established part of Island etiquette - there was even a poem written about it - and comes in several forms: single hand wave, two-hand wave (probably ill-advised if you are behind the wheel) and our favourite, the whole-arm-out-the-window wave.

2) Cows have the right-of-way and must be registered

If you find yourself behind the wheel on Norfolk Island be sure to give the many cows that wander the roads there the right of way - it’s the law and it’s to protect the big beasts who are allowed to roam free. Also, if you find yourself in possession of a cow while on Norfolk you must register it - just like you would a car or dog here in Kiwiland - so bear that in mind when making impulse purchases.

3) Norfolk has its own language

Norfolk has two official languages: English and Norf’k. The latter of these is a blend of 18th Century English and Tahitian that was developed by the original Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian partners. A common greeting you will hear is “Watawieh” - which is “Hello” - or “Watawieh yorlye?” - which is “Hello, how are you all?” And you will also hear “Yorlye kum baek sun” - which is the traditional farewell and means “You all come back soon”!

4) Norfolk Island celebrates Thanksgiving

Norfolk Island is one of very few territories outside of the United States to celebrate Thanksgiving, the traditional American federal holiday. It is marked on the last Wednesday of each November and honours the American whalers who came to the Island and in particular an American trader named Isaac Robinson, who was also the American consul. Robinson introduced the celebration of Thanksgiving by decorating churches with produce, and the tradition lives, albeit with roast pork taking the place of the traditional turkey!

5) The Island has a very special phonebook

In addition to the more traditional telephone directory based on surname entries, the Norfolk Island phone book has a section entitled Faasfain; here you can look up numbers of the locals by their nicknameswhich is how many people are more popularly known!

No one does public holidays like Norfolk Island

And four things you really should know!

1) Bounty Day is a holiday on the island

Every June 8 is the public holiday of Anniversary Bounty Day, when Norfolk Islanders celebrate the arrival in 1856 of the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and Tahitian women, and the Island’s transition from a penal colony to a residential island. There is a feast and a ball, a re-enactment of the arrival, and a general carnival atmosphere that is a fantastic introduction to Island life.

2) It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away

At only 805 kilometres from the northern tip of New Zealand, Norfolk Island is virtually on our doorstep - and Air Chathams can get you there in less than three hours! It’s the perfect getaway and just a little bit special.

3) Norfolk Island produce is world class

Fresh fish is a feature of this Pacific island paradise - think kingfish, red emperor and yellowtail tuna - but there is also a great ‘paddock to plate’ tradition of fresh beef and pork, fruits and vegetables that make for fantastic eating - and a virtually zero carbon footprint for the eco-minded foodie!

4) There are no snakes on Norfolk Island

And if you’ve ever been to mainland Australia, you’ll know that this is a very good thing!