Well compared to NZ it will be expensive in comparison, believe me though, Lord Howe is in a world of it's own, it is still one of the worlds most pristine locations in paradise. It only has about 600 people on the Island at any one time and the lifestyle is coastal Australia pre 1950.

As a visitor, you don't need a car (and won't get one anyway), a pushbike or walking is the way to go and will get you to almost anyplace on the Island. The accommodation is from selfcare to fully catered and the price ranges accordingly. One of my favourites is MILKY WAY at the northern end of the Island with 4 self contained 2 bedroom apartments and very central to the centre of the vilage, it is a sones throw from the private idyllic Old Settlement Beach which is heaven to swim and snorkel in at High tide and great for fossicking at low tide, but no matter where you stay, everything is within 10 minutes or so reach.

CAPELLA LODGE and PINETREES are the top of the tree lodges, but very expensive and fully catered (they are not my cup of tea. Over half of the Lodges and accomodation have a restaurant/bistro and they all have a courtesy bus so you can mix and nmatch your dining to suit, there 2 general stores and a liquor store as well as a bakery and a couple of "pop in" as you pass snack and scone places...it really is a wonderful place to visit, life is not fast, but only a slow as you want it. It is never crowded and no matter wher you go, beach or mountan/rainforest, you will find privacy.

A must experience is NED'S BEACH, the only beach in the world where you can swim with and feed wild fish ( huge whiting and mullet, multi coloured coral fish, salmon, tuna and kingfish etc.) an honour system is there wher yopu can select flippers and snorkels ans swim out through the coral lined chanel taking in both the beautiful coral and the colourful fish, at a set time each day, a fish feeder brings all the left over food from the restaurants and feeds the fish enmasse, this is amazing as 2 metre long kingfish and huge marine fish come in from the sea to feed within feet of the shore (if you are game you can wade in amongst them.

Another must (if you are fit) is the climb to the summit of Mt. Gower (875 metres), if too hard try Mt. Lidgerbird and for an easy climb Transit Hill or Mt. Eliza (near Miky Way)...but whatever the place is sensational if you are into the natural and the quiet "the way it was" life.

On the other hand, NZ requires at least 2 weeks for each Island just to circum navigate it, even then, it is a caravan style trip with differet scenery to Australia, but also magnificently beautiful...the difference, well it's all in the eye of the beholder, Lord Howe is stay in one place and just sight see and do or idle away the days and nights as you wish, NZ is another style of touring holiday on the road.

You choose...I like both, but am partial to the Island paradise of Lord Howe.

With a protected coral lagoon on one side and the open ocean on the other, spectacular views and beaches are at your fingertips

http://www.lordhoweisland.info/accommodation.htm

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 21st of April 2011 03:25:50 PM

-- Edited by Benwerrin on Thursday 21st of April 2011 03:26:19 PM