Soon after landing on Norfolk Island we were met by the President and members of the local garden club who put on the friendliest of greetings and a most welcome afternoon tea at the home of Jane Evans (head gardener, Government House). This relaxing time set the tone for our experiences for the remainder of our stay.

The focus of our trip was to view some of the Islands’ best private gardens, with their many variations of sub-tropical plantings, beautiful trees and spectacular views. Those visits were mixed with excursions to buildings and places of the Island’s brutal past as a penal colony and of later years as the eventual settling place for the mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their Tahitian wives.

A highlight of the the trip was a private visit to historic Government House, followed by a garden tour with both gardeners. Manicured lawns, colourful herbaceous borders and an amazing vegetable garden (whose produce supports a local charity) were appreciated by all.

Our evenings were fun-filled, we dined on local produce and enjoyed entertainment such as Island Fish Fry, Wonderland by Night, Mutiny on the Bounty Show, Night as a Convict and Fletcher’s Fate dinner – just  to mention a few.

Our trip to Norfolk Island was everything the brochure said it would be; friendly resourceful people, wonderful scenery, beautiful gardens, interesting history and heaps of fun.

Gail Scrivener CHS Tours