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Quick Fun Facts

Government

  • Norfolk Island is an external territory of Australia, with the Norfolk Island Regional Council responsible for administration of the island’s affairs.

  • The regional council is similar to a NSW local council, but with more responsibilities than are traditionally within the scope of a local council.  For example, the island’s council is responsible for telecommunications, and electricity generation and distribution.

  • The Federal Government appoints an Administrator to Norfolk Island who is the liaison between the regional council and the responsible Australian Government Minister, and especially for matters associated with Commonwealth programs and services that operate on Norfolk Island.

  • Government-related information is available through the website for the Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) at www.norfolkisland.gov.nf.​

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Public Services

  • Health care is provided through the Norfolk Island Hospital.  Medicare does apply.  There are resident doctors, and a physiotherapist and dentist.

  • Education provides for K-12 schooling for approx 300 students using the NSW Curriculum.

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Communications

  • There is one TV station and digital transmitters for ABC channels, SBS channels, Channel 9 Imparja, Southern Cross TV, channel 7, Channel 10, Gem, Go and 7-Mate.  The island has its own .nf internet domain.  Over 90% of the population have Internet access provided by either NBN providers who offer access to the SkyMuster satellite or the local Telecom who provide access to another satellite.

  • There is currently a 2-G network in operation, however, this is due to be updated to 4-G in late 2020.

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Transport

  • Norfolk has an international airport (however flights from Australia are domestic sectors) and there are jetties for shipping at Cascade and Kingston.  There are sixty kilometres of paved roads and local cows have right of way.

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Geography

  • Norfolk Island is located in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,412 kilometres east of Evans Head in Australia.  Its geographic coordinates are 29 02S, 167 57E.

  • Travel times are just over two hours by air from Australia.

  • Climate is sub-tropical.

  • Land area is 34.6 square kilometres, and the terrain is volcanic.  There is 32 kilometres of coastline that is mostly inaccessible cliff.

  • The highest point is Mt Bates at 319 metres.

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People

  • According to the 2016 Census, the population is 1,748 (53% Female (930), 47% Male(819)).

  • The median age of people in Norfolk Island was 49 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 16.9% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 23.8% of the population.

  • In Norfolk Island, 39.7% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were Norfolk Island 22.1%, New Zealand 17.6%, Fiji 2.7%, England 2.6% and Philippines 2.3%.

  • Languages are English, and Norf’k (the local language spoken by descendants of the Mutiny on the Bounty).

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Economy

  • Tourism is the primary economic activity.  Visitors mainly are from Australia and New Zealand .

  • Currency is the Australian Dollar.

  • Ease of buying a home – Easy.  Starting house/land prices is AUD350,000.

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