8 Days | Exclusive Escorted Tour
Departs Wednesday 28th October 2026
FULLY SUBSCRIBED – Join our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming tours
There are places close to home that feel as though they belong to another world entirely.
Norfolk Island is one of them.
I invite you to journey with me to an anomaly: an Australian territory with a proud history of independent thought and governance, nestled in the incomparable beauty of the South Pacific. The indomitable spirit of the Pitcairn Islanders who were resettled on Norfolk Island still resonates throughout daily life, evidenced by language and culture.
Together we’ll celebrate that spirit of adventure as we explore this curious and beautiful place – close to home but a world apart.
Departing Hobart on 28th October, we will see Norfolk Island through the eyes of The Compass Society.
With flights, accommodation, entry to museums, tours, and meals, Norfolk Island offers tremendous value for money.
There’s so much to see and do during our seven nights on the Island.
A Place of Stories: Layered and Living
Norfolk Island’s history is extraordinary.
From early Polynesian visitors to the brutal years of convict settlement, and later the relocation of the Bounty mutineers’ descendants from Pitcairn Island in 1856, the island’s identity has been forged through resilience and reinvention.
During our week together, we explore the UNESCO-listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, walk through preserved convict ruins, and visit the Bounty Folk Museum and Kingston Museums to better understand the island’s layered past.
The Settlement Secrets and History in the Making tours offer deeper insight into the human stories behind the headlines — stories of endurance, independence, and community. Both tours will surprise and delight!
More Than History: A Living Island Community
Norfolk Island is not a museum.
It is a living, breathing community with its own language — Norf’k — and a culture shaped by generations of island life.
Through the Island Life Tour, time at leisure in Burnt Pine, and evenings spent sharing meals with locals, we gain a true sense of modern Norfolk — how people live, work, celebrate, and preserve their traditions.
One of the highlights is the much-loved Progressive Dinner, where each course is served in a different local home. It is an intimate, welcoming experience that captures the warmth of the island’s community spirit.
Tour Highlights include:
- Explore the dramatic coastline of Norfolk Island, where towering pines, turquoise waters and sweeping clifftop views create the most striking island landscapes
- Discover the UNESCO-listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, walking among convict ruins and gaining insight into one of the harshest penal settlements in the British Empire
- Gain a deeper understanding of the island’s extraordinary past — from early Polynesian settlement to the arrival of the Bounty mutineers’ descendants from Pitcairn Island in 1856
- Enjoy the Island Life Tour, offering genuine insight into modern Norfolk Island culture, language and community traditions
- Visit the Bounty Folk Museum and Kingston Museums, with time to explore artefacts, research collections and layered historical stories
- Experience the signature Settlement Secrets tour, placing special emphasis on the human stories behind Norfolk’s convict era
- Enjoy History in the Making, travelling through four historic settlements and visiting private collections that bring the island’s past vividly to life
- Dine in style across seven memorable evenings, including a five-course degustation at No. 9 Quality Row, set within a beautifully restored Georgian building, and a Norfolk Island Progressive Dinner, with each course served in a different local home — an intimate and welcoming cultural experience
- Enjoy a traditional Island Fish Fry at Orn Dar Cliff, complete with live music, local dishes and coastal sunset views
- Indulge in Devonshire Tea at Hilli Restaurant and a farewell dinner at Governor’s Lodge, celebrating the week together
- Choose between scenic coastal walking options during the Breakfast Bush Walk, including Mt Bates — the island’s highest point — with panoramic ocean views
- Stay seven nights in private one-bedroom cabins set within twelve acres of subtropical gardens
- Your fare includes return airfares from Hobart, transfers, guided touring and most meals included (cooked breakfast daily, two lunches and seven dinners)
- Travel with peace of mind in like-minded company as part of a premium, fully escorted journey with Cathi – offering over 40 years’ expertise in crafting unique experiences that go “above and beyond”
Why Travel With The Compass Society
Being part of a small, escorted group means you leave home with an experienced personal escort — and someone who understands travel inside and out.
With over 40 years of first-hand experience, Cathi Burnett-Cosgrove ensures that every detail is cared for and every moment meaningful. You’ll meet your fellow travellers before departure, share unforgettable experiences throughout the journey, and return home with new friends and memories that last a lifetime.
Cathi’s thoughtful approach to travel design goes beyond ticking boxes — it’s about depth, connection, and authenticity. From the intricate details of itinerary planning to the personal warmth that shapes each day, this journey captures the very essence of The Compass Society: travel that enriches both the heart and the mind. You can also read what others say about their experience with Cathi on previous Compass Society journeys.
What to Do Now
Ready to explore Norfolk Island?
- Click the button below to download our full tour itinerary, or
- Contact Cathi Burnett-Cosgrove for bookings and enquiries.