A beautiful White Tern (Gygis alba) sits on an egg in a notch in the branch of a Norfolk Island Pine tree behind Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island, Australia. These birds build no nest, but lay their eggs on bare branches.

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Lord Howe Island Museum

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At what passes on Lord Howe for a major road junction, this museum has an interesting if somewhat random display on local history, taking in whaling, wars and the flying-boat service, and an engaging, more modern room on the local environment and conservation efforts, presented with flair. There's also a souvenir shop and a tourist-information desk. Donations are appreciated.

Great wi-fi strength, too.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • A view of Mt Gower, Lord Howe Island framed by the branches of a Norfolk Pine tree

    Mt Gower

    4 MILES

    The southernmost of the two magnificent peaks dominating the island, Mt Gower (875m) is a spectacular sight. Though it looks sheer at first glance, it's…

  • Ball's Pyramid

    Ball's Pyramid

    19.08 MILES

    Sticking out of the middle of the ocean some 23km southeast of Lord Howe Island, the memorably jagged silhouette of this crag stands 551m high. A volcano…

  • Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, Unincorporated area of New South Wales, Australia. Palm forest on Intermediate Hill.

    Intermediate Hill

    1.99 MILES

    Another star exhibit for the Australian love of no-bullshit names, this hill (250m) offers some of the island's better views of Ball's Pyramid and a…

  • North Beach

    North Beach

    1.55 MILES

    This pretty crescent of sand is reached by a thigh-straining up-and-down walk over a ridge from town, but it's worth it, with barbecue facilities and the…

  • Sunrise sun streams through palm trees on the road to Ned's Beach,Lord Howe Island,New South Wales,Australia

    Ned's Beach

    0.63 MILES

    A short stroll from town, Ned's Beach offers good snorkelling – you can hire wetsuits and gear from a little stall. Feeding the fish in the shallows here…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Ned's Beach

0.63 MILES

A short stroll from town, Ned's Beach offers good snorkelling – you can hire wetsuits and gear from a little stall. Feeding the fish in the shallows here…

2. North Beach

1.55 MILES

This pretty crescent of sand is reached by a thigh-straining up-and-down walk over a ridge from town, but it's worth it, with barbecue facilities and the…

3. Intermediate Hill

1.99 MILES

Another star exhibit for the Australian love of no-bullshit names, this hill (250m) offers some of the island's better views of Ball's Pyramid and a…

4. Mt Gower

4 MILES

The southernmost of the two magnificent peaks dominating the island, Mt Gower (875m) is a spectacular sight. Though it looks sheer at first glance, it's…

5. Ball's Pyramid

19.08 MILES

Sticking out of the middle of the ocean some 23km southeast of Lord Howe Island, the memorably jagged silhouette of this crag stands 551m high. A volcano…