Lord Howe Island appears to be a prime target for overtourism, with its lush mountains, immaculate white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters full of vibrant marine life. However, on this island with a population of about 400, located 372 miles off Australia's east coast, the beaches remain deserted, and the only sounds on hikes through its rainforests and mountains are from the wildlife.
Lisa Makiiti, a sixth-generation islander who manages the Bowker Beach House boutique accommodation, explains, “It’s what is not here that provides that experience – that is why it’s so unique. There’s value in having somewhere in the world that works in the reverse to every other tourist destination. It’s not bigger and better and more and more.”
The secret to maintaining this unspoiled environment is a strategy used in few other places: limiting the number of tourists. For over 40 years, Lord Howe has capped the number of tourists at 400 at any given time by restricting the number of available beds. This measure protects the island’s unique species, contributing to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
Darcelle Matassoni, another sixth-generation islander who works for the Lord Howe Island Board, notes that although the cap was somewhat arbitrary, it has helped minimize environmental impacts and foster a “one-for-one visitor to local” experience.
This cap makes it difficult to visit; Makiiti mentions that Bowker Beach House has bookings through 2026. Round-trip airfares to Sydney can exceed US$666, and peak season accommodations range from US$200 to over US$3,000 per night.
Dean Hiscox, who runs Lord Howe Environmental Tours, highlights that the island's policies demonstrate a collective commitment to prioritizing nature. Over 85% of the island is covered in native forest, and around 70% is designated as a Permanent Park Preserve, restricting development. The residential area occupies just 15%.
Hiscox mentions that development pressure is a foreign concept on Lord Howe, even with housing rules capping the local community size. Many residents are descendants of settlers from the 1800s, with a strong generational commitment to preserving their unique lifestyle and environment.
Naturalist and photographer Ian Hutton, who has lived on the island since 1980, describes life there as “like living inside a David Attenborough documentary.” The island, though only seven miles long, is dense with unique flora and fauna, such as the rare cloud forest atop Mount Gower and the Providence Petrel seabird.
Anthony Riddle, co-founder of Lord Howe Island Brewing Company and Distilling Company, emphasizes the island’s closeness to nature, with beaches just minutes from guesthouses and the main reefline accessible within a short boat ride. The island's barrier reef is home to around 500 species of fish, starfish, urchins, and crabs, with Ball’s Pyramid offering excellent diving spots.
Visitors often share the residents’ dedication to conservation. Tour guides inform them about sustainability practices, and many guests participate in local conservation programs. The island enforces strict biosecurity measures, including sniffer dogs checking for invasive species, and intense conservation efforts have led to the removal of predatory animals like feral pigs, goats, and cats.
A government initiative in 2019 to eradicate rats and mice, despite some controversy, has led to a significant recovery of native species like the Woodhen. However, climate change poses ongoing threats, with record-breaking temperatures and severe weather events endangering the island's coral reefs and cloud forests.
Historically, Lord Howe’s isolation shaped its community. Before an airstrip was built in the 1970s, the island was accessible only by seaplane. Islanders lived a slow, nonmaterialistic life without modern communications, maintaining a strong sense of freedom and connection to nature.
Today, the island retains much of its traditional lifestyle. Residents keep doors unlocked, and there is no mobile phone service outside home Wi-Fi networks. Islanders face challenges like high living costs and the need for distance education, but they adapt by farming, gardening, and bartering.
Sustainability is ingrained in the community's DNA. Around 80% of the island’s electricity comes from a community solar grid, and waste is meticulously managed to minimize environmental impact. The islanders' ethos of “reuse, reduce and look after” underscores their respect for the environment and commitment to preserving their unique way of life.
By maintaining a balance between limited tourism and environmental conservation, Lord Howe Island remains a unique and pristine destination, demonstrating that less can indeed be more.
Post a Comment