Norfolk Island

Containing an exquisite flora featuring over 174 varieties of native plants of which 51 species are endemic including some rare and threatened, Norfolk Island retains a 5 square kilometer tract of rainforests which have been declared as a national park. Situated between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, enjoying a large degree of self governance is part of the Commonwealth of Australia. Colonized by the British in 1788, Norfolk Island is 1600 kilometers to the east of Sydney and 1000 kilometers to the northwest of Auckland. Spread over 34.6 square kilometer area, Norfolk Island displays no safe harbor facilities as such.

Though relatively small and isolated, Norfolk Island is home to a few land birds alongside populations of breeding seabirds. Tourism, which has steadily gained over the years, is the leading economic activity of this island country where no imports are allowed. Served by a single airport offing scheduled flights from destinations in Australia and New Zealand, Norfolk Island occasionally receives cruise ships, where passengers are ferried ashore in the absence of a regular harbor.