PHOTOGRAPHERS, painters and artists have long been inspired by Norfolk Island, a small volcanic outcrop just a 2 1/2-hour flight from Sydney.
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For most visitors, however, it is the sense that they have "come home" to a way of life they knew years ago.
Norfolk Island offers a relaxed pace, a sense of genuine friendliness and a wonderful sense of community. At the same time the intriguing island has so much on offer that, should you choose, you will be kept well entertained and busy.
Norfolk Islanders love their sport, with many active clubs including lawn bowls, tennis, golf, squash, archery, outrigging, clay target, pistol shooting - and even flying model aeroplanes.
There are more than a dozen open sporting events on the annual calendar.
The Norfolk Island Veterans Golf Tournament in February is open to players aged 50 and over, while Veterans Tennis, hosted by the Cheryl Tennis Club, is one of the friendliest clubs you'll ever encounter. Played on sand-based astroturf courts, Aussies and Kiwis come head to head, "meeting in the middle" on Norfolk for a friendlybattle in April.
For the bowlers, doubles, triples and fours competitions run each year.
The range of events and festivals on offer is just as broad. There are ballroom and line dancing festivals, jazz, ukulele and country music festivals.
Renowned artists and photographers lead regular en plein air, painting and photography workshops, while an annual food festival will tempt the tastebuds.
Norfolk's fishing is renowned, every trip returning with a great catch, such as kingfish, silver trevally, amberjack and sweetlip (red throat emperor).
Then there are the regular 4WD tours, glass-bottom boat outings, progressive dinners to islander homes, museums, sunset fish fries, swimming and walks.
The Norfolk Island Travel Centre, a locally-owned and operated business, has all the information you need at their fingertips.
1800-140-066, www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com
