Posted on 20th July 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
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Mt Gower waterfall
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Twin mountains – mists and waterfalls
Winter is a great time on Lord Howe. Not only do we huddle around the open fires at Capella every night enjoying good food and wine and of course great company, nature also throws spectacular weather into the mix. Over the last week we have had lovely sunny days when a BBQ at Ned’s Beach is a must, nights when the kentia palms rattled around like mad things during 50 knot winds and we have also woken up to the incredible sight of waterfalls cascading off both Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird.
The mountains seem to create their own weather on Lord Howe. Sometimes they seem to attract cloud and rainfall,but mostly we sit in the lounge and watch the clouds moving over their peaks and then rushing away.
Posted on 20th July 2010 by capella in General | Lord Howe Experiences
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Heavy cloud over Lord Howe’s lagoon
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Rainbow ends near Capella!
It was a beautiful day to be on Lord Howe Island today. We were recorded as the hottest place in New South Wales, reaching a very balmy 19.8 degrees Celsius. Being July, you would expect to be bundled up in your winter woolies, snuggling up by the open fire! Our average low is approximately14 degrees over winter, so we won’t be looking out for a snow-capped Mount Gower any time soon.
Lord Howe is fortunate to have its very own Bureau of Meteorology, which has been around for over 100 years. The Met (as it is known to islanders) not only provides much needed climatological data for aircraft using the island’s airstrip, and for sea-faring islanders, it also provides data that can be used all over the globe.
Our meteorologist collects data daily from weather balloons outfitted with a thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer. A radar can track the balloon for two hours, and the Met can then collect all the information relevant to the daily forecast.
Tourists and islanders alike enjoy watching the balloon being released, and the local meteorologist is always happy to have a chat about the process. Bus tours that operate around the island will stop in at the Met, and you can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the weather!
Posted on 13th July 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
activities on Lord Howe, cool season, Harpers Bazaar, Lord Howe, thiongs to do on Lord Howe
Lord Howe's gentle season
The Gods have been kind to all this winter on Lord Howe. For the last few weeks we have had no wind, mild days and nights just cool enough to enjoy sitting around the fire with a glass of red wine! There’s plenty to do by day: Capella guests, Denis and Kate from Ireland went for a SCUBA dive in the lagoon yesterday with the local Pro Dive proprietor, Taz. With water temperatures at 20 degrees centigrade they didn’t even find the water cold… maybe it’s because they’re from Ireland?! Today they are climbing Mt Gower with local Jack Shick. It’ll be straight into the plunge pool with an ale followed by the hot tub when they get back later this afternoon.
Mark and I have been taking our guests to see the Providence Petrels land around the base of Mt Lidgbird. They are a spectacular sight as they come in from fishing in the open ocean in their thousands to nest on and around the island’s twin mountain peaks. So , it’s all happening at Capella Lodge and Lord Howe Island. We also welcomed the crew from Harpers Bazaar this month for a shoot. Look out in the October edition for a Lord Howe Island exposé…!
Posted on 1st July 2010 by capella in Lord Howe Experiences
Capella Lodge, Golf, Lord Howe
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A challenge on the Lord Howe Golf Course
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A view to the water trap!
Originally developed from a market garden in 1979, the Lord Howe Island golf course has been developed and expanded into one of the most picturesque courses in Australia.
It’s a short walk ‘along the way’ for our guests at Capella.
From beneath the shadows of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, the course meanders through the lushly vegetated kentia palm forest out onto gently undulating fairways along the ocean foreshore, and provides golfers with many a challenge. The 8th hole is particularly challenging with a big water trap (the ocean) situated on the western side. Another danger to golfers is the little cocker spaniel who lives next to the 9th tee – he steals golf balls and the greens keepers’ tools!
An average of 3 hours (18 holes) allows ample time to complete the course. All Island guests are welcome to play golf at any time.
A good old fashioned honesty system, rarely seen elsewhere today is used to pay for green fees and club hire. Balls are available from the lolly-pop machine for $1.00 per ball. Both left and right handed clubs are available for hire. There is no booking or waiting for a tee off time here.
Club day for members is every Sunday played over 18 holes with Island guests most welcome to participate. The Chicken Run is held on Friday afternoon, it is played over 9 or 12 holes for stable-ford points with the outright winner taking home a ‘chook.’ Several of our staff members are club members and enjoy the occasional ‘bash.’
Posted on 14th May 2010 by capella in Uncategorized
hibiscus, Mt Gower, rock formations
From Lodge manager Libby Grant
Who says staying on Lord Howe and at Capella Lodge is not a spiritual experience?! If you look south from Restaurant or from the Gower’s Terrce at Capella, towards the peaks of Mounts Gower and Lidgbird you will see what looks like a giant cross that extends across the entire face of Mt Lidgbird. This is a naturally occurring formation that becomes even more distinct during autumn and winter. Once you spot it for the first time, it’s hard not to see it everytime you look towards the mountains. It’s quite appropriate as the mountains do have an almost other-worldly presence, a sense of magnedtism, of something great, powerful and mystical.
Lord Howe does have three churches to service the community the largest being the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Local islanders Ken (who just celebrated his 86th Birthday with us) and Dorothy Ryan are the lay priests for the Catholic Church. They can be found at Capella every second morning and greet all guests as they supply us with the most beautiful hibiscus flowers from their garden for the Lodge.
I am even lucky enough to have one named after me, ‘The Liberty’.
Mount Gower's blessing
Posted on 4th May 2010 by capella in General
Lord Howe Island has achieved a ’number one’ ranking for visitor satisfaction across 62 regions of Australia in a Tourism Research Australia Visitor Profile Satisfaction Report released today by the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP and the Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek MP.
The Lord Howe survey stated that 94% of visitors were satisfied with their visit, with 82% ‘very satisfied’. Some of the criteria where visitors’ expectations were exceeded included ‘nature-based experiences’; ‘something the kids would enjoy’; a place to spend quality time with partner/family/friends’; ‘an adventure’; and ‘the opportunity to discover or learn something new’.
“The tourism industry on Lord Howe is mostly made up of family-run businesses, so as a community, we’re extremely proud to be recognised as number one in the country – and proud that we’ve been able to deliver wonderful holiday experiences for so many visitors, many of whom return year after year,” said Pixie Rourke, Chair of the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association.
See the Minister’s release at:
http://minister.ret.gov.au/TheHonMartinFergusonMP/Pages/THUMBSUPFORLORDHOWEISLAND.aspx.html
and view Visitor Profile and Satisfaction (VPS) Reports at http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/tra/regional/destinations/Pages/default.aspx
Posted on 4th May 2010 by capella in Images
Posted on 20th April 2010 by capella in History
Lord Howe Island, Lord Howe Island history
From Lodge Manager, Libby Grant: A short history of Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island and nearby Balls Pyramid had a fiery beginning. They are part of a chain of 9 underwater volcanoes that stretches north for a 100km. The dominating, erosion resistant ramparts of 875m Mt Gower and 777m Mt Lidgbird were formed 6.4million years ago as lava filled in the crater of the LHI volcano.
In 1788 the HMAS Supply under the command of Lieut Henry Lidgbird Ball was en route to the penal colony of Norfolk Island when he sighted LHI. Ball named the island after the first lord of the British Admiralty, Richard Howe. No one settled on LHI until 45 years after it’s discovery. Early settlers supplied provisions to the whaling fleets that plied the Pacific Ocean until the early 19th century when the Kentia Palm industry provided a
lucrative alternative for the islanders. In the early 20th century tourism starting on LHI at Pinetrees and Ocean View Lodges. Before the outbreak of WW2 there were about 60 guesthouse beds on the Island. Now there are 400 and tourism is a thriving industry that supports the entire island community.
Lord Howe Island’s unspoiled environment is protected by its Unesco World Heritage status. It is also a National & Marine Park. All are maintained by the administrative board’s environmentally sensitive management policy of nurturing the flora and fauna to preserve the original character of the island.
Aren’t we lucky that we can experience this very special place?
Posted on 12th April 2010 by capella in Lord Howe Experiences
Ball's Pyramid, Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Mt Gower, Mt Gower Trek
7 April 2010
The Mount Gower Trek justly deserves its ranking as one of Australia’s top day walks. Taking approximately 5 hours to reach the summit at 875metres and another 4 hours to return, this trek should not be taken lightly.
Marvel at the breathtaking views of Ball’s Pyramid, Mt Lidgbird, the lagoon and the northern settlement. Explore the cloud forest on the summit where lichens, ferns, orchids and mosses flourish.
This climb isn’t for everyone, it is extremely challenging. Licensed guides Jack Shick and Dean Hiscox conduct this Class 5 climb three days a week (weather depending).
So, if you are planning on visiting Lord Howe and Capella Lodge remember to start training! Not only are the views from the summit spectacular, you will also get up close and personal with the island wood hens who will be trying to pinch your lunch.
From March to September you will probably also find yourself being dive-bombed by the Providence Petrels which soar around the summit. As soon as they hear any loud noise they come crashing through the dense canopy.
A sojourn in the cedar hot tub is a must after this strenuous day – of course, only if you’re staying at Capella!
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Ancient palm forests
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Lord Howe view to the north
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Lord Howe to the west
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The reef from on high
