Cruising News Magazine Cruising News February 2019 | Page 33

serves as a ready backup which is
utilized regularly. Both piers provide easy
access for disembarking tenders with
concrete steps down to the high-water
mark.
The Piers have no structural coverings
or facilities so a series of 9m x 4m
marquees are set up with seating,
signage and passenger control
barricades to ensure a safe and
efficient transition from the tender to
shuttles and tour departures.
Burnt Pine Travel manages the Pier set
up facilities on Norfolk Island as well as
transit buses to the town, a 10-15 minute
drive from either pier. An experienced
team provides a friendly, professional
and knowledgeable first impression for
the guests as they step onto the pier
and are moved to the transit area.
Norfolk Island’s investment in the cruise
industry is further enhanced as the
Federal Government commissioned
new passenger tenders which will be
online and operating on Norfolk by
May 2019. Use of these tenders will
make disembarkation easier for visiting
cruise ships by removing any risk to
their tenders. It is envisaged that these
tenders will be operated by Islanders
who are familiar with the piers & local
conditions.
Although Norfolk’s involvement with
the modern cruise industry is relatively
new, catering for various ships from
small expedition vessels of 150-200
passengers requiring inclusive touring
such as beachside lunches and
bushwalking, to high end vessels of
600-700 passengers seeking a more
pampered experience such as
Seabourn and Regent lines to the larger
1600-1900 passenger vessels looking for
1200-1400 tour spots in the day.
Burnt Pine Travel has worked in
conjunction with Australian inbound
tour operators to create exclusive
touring programs for high end cruise
brands. Norfolk Island has a wide
range of activities to offer visiting
cruise lines including historical,
cultural, food, scenic and adventure
tours, numerous sporting activities,
shopping, markets as well as many
other options for passengers to fill a
day. You’ll even find that many of the
people you’ll encounter on the Island’s
tours are descendants of the Bounty
Mutineers. Norfolk Island can tailor
make an encounter that will exceed
expectations.
Here’s a sample of what’s on offer...
The Highlights of Norfolk Tour – This tour
takes in the most significant landmarks.
You will be transported back in time
with stories of the Polynesian Settlement,
Convict Settlement and the Bounty
Mutineer Descendants who settled
the Island in 1856, bringing with them
a language which is a mixture of old
English and Tahitian and is still in use
today.
Convict Kingston Tour – Visit the fortress–
like Military Barracks and hear stories
of the former occupants, drive along
Quality Row to view the elegant houses
that provided quarters for military and
civil officers. The heritage listed Convict
Kingston area has the finest examples of
Georgian Architecture in the Southern
Hemisphere.
The Indulgence Tour – This tour will take
you to a chocolate factory where
they produce handmade chocolates.
Travel to the liqueur factory at Cascade
Soft Drinks where they produce 15
different types of liqueurs then travel
to a picturesque location for a cup of
coffee or tea.
Colleen McCullough Home Tour – The
world-renowned author made Norfolk
Island home in 1978 and lived on
Norfolk Island until her passing in 2015.
Colleen created an amazing majestic
home on Norfolk Island. Colleen’s home
was never open to the public until her
death. This is an exclusive guided tour
to the author’s magnificent property.
You will be escorted through Colleen’s
majestic home and view some of her
priceless collections from her travels
around the world.
Island Adventures 4WD Tour – Climb
aboard an18 seater 4 x 4 bus for a
pioneering adventure off the beaten
tracks. Enjoy air-conditioned comfort
and safety, as authentic insights of
Norfolk’s unexplored valleys, ridges,
coastlines and private properties are
shared.
Coastal Scenic Trip – The Scenic Coastal
trip travelling in the comfort of a 30-foot
twin hull Noosa Cat gives a bird’s eye
view of spectacular sheer cliff faces
travelling on crystal clear pristine waters.
This is a bird watcher delight as you
observe amazing seabirds nesting in the
cliff faces on the coast; Norfolk Island
has 14 unique birds.
Island Fish Feast – The beautifully
set tables will delight the visitor – it’s
the most glamorous picnic you will
ever attend! And then the food!
Scrumptiously fresh, local fish is
prepared the local way in golden beer
batter and accompanied with a range
of seasonal island dishes including
those passed down from the Polynesian
fore-mothers. See how they make the
most of their home grown produce and
enjoy paddock to plate freshness. This
extends even to dessert which is Norfolk
Island pies made from local eggs and
fruit in season. A cash bar offers wine,
beer and juice.
These are just some of the tours that
will make a visit to Norfolk Island so
memorable. Contact Baunti Escapes for
further information or to enquire about
customized options.
Next Issue in our Photo Gallery
Ships visiting Norfolk Island.
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