Some summertime rain on Lord Howe has offered up some incredible images. The first three were taken this morning after an incredible 180mm of rain over the last 24 hours. The southern end of the island was flooded with all roads blocked. The up side was both Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird were covered with waterfalls. Many of our guest are hiking up to the lower falls as I write this. The other photos show how quickly things change here- only the waterfalls remain

There are also two photos which show the coral spawn which fills the shallows
around the island today. The yearly mass spawning happened last night so there
is a decidedly fishy smell in the air today! The pink line you see in the
shallows along the shore is the coral spawn- billions of tiny pink eggs!

The local area school turns into a bustling market with many varied stalls. Many of the locals get together to sell produce, secondhand clothing, art works and just to catch up on the local gossip! The kids line up for face painting with Charlotte, the local nursery sells fruit and vegetable seedlings and even the Board Administrator mans the coffee machine! Glenys’s cup cakes sell out 10 minutes after the market opens.

We have some talented artists and photographers on the Island. Our own spa therapist Sarah sells her beautiful hand drawn cards inspired by local vistas and wildlife along with Isak who specializes in surf photography.

It’s great to see that now this space is also being used to educate the community and visitors alike. The Island Board have a display on protecting the environment and Ian Hutton, the Museum Curator and island naturalist, has a display of the effects of plastic bags on the island’s seabirds. Ian and the Board are encouraging all operators to use bio-degradable plastic bags and take away containers. They are even supplying these free to operators for 3 months. Many Lodges are now encouraging re-usable water bottles for all their guests.

Of course, here at Capella, we initiated the use of re-usable bottles many months ago as it is important to us to have as minimal impact as possible on the environment of Lord Howe.

Fly free to Lord Howe! Capella Lodge invites a great escape
with free flights and nights this season

Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island, celebrated as the first luxury lodge in the world’s last paradise is excited to announce its popular free return flights to Lord Howe offer as part of its Cool Capella Deals 2011.

The Fly Free Stay 7 Pay 6 package is valid in conjunction with a seven night stay in relaxed luxury in any suite at Capella 30 July – 30 September 2011 inclusive. There’s never been a better time or reason to explore Lord Howe this cool spring season.

Lord Howe is a sub-tropical ‘treasure island’ lost in time, a short flight from Australia’s east coast.
The gentle season from end July – September offers visitors a chance to reinvigorate as the spring season approaches and witness great activity as rare sea birds arrive to nest on this island paradise, home from their adventures overseas.

With Capella as a luxe base camp, guests re-energise on treks with breathtaking views to the horizon along magnificent ridges and clifftops with hidden caves, or explore fascinating walking tracks through tranquil palm forests and beneath the mysterious canopy of ancient spreading figs.

The world’s southernmost coral reef beckons, with the chance of an unforgettable encounter with a Green Sea Turtle, to explore an abundant submarine life by snorkel or glass-bottom boat.
Guests might make an easy friend of the large kingfish who swim thrillingly amongst knees and calves in order to grab a proffered snack.

Return to Capella to enjoy fine wine and world-class cuisine in great company. 

The Fly Free Stay 7 Pay 6 Cool Capella Deal offers a sky-high saving of up to $4,300 including one bonus night’s accommodation and two return Qantaslink flights from Sydney or Brisbane.
A week’s stay at Capella from just $3,900 per person with flights booked for guests makes a Lord Howe getaway so easy!  Conditions apply as below*.

Take off to Capella Lodge this season; fly free and take it easy!

*Fly Free Conditions

•        Offer available for new bookings only, subject to availability.
•        Booking must be prepaid at time of reservation. This is then fully non refundable.
•        Payment must be made by credit card and incurs a 2.5% surcharge.
•        Return airfares are included on a single or twin share basis; free airfare offer does not apply to additional persons.
•        Flights to Lord Howe Island are operated by QantasLink from Sydney or Brisbane (direct flights only on a Sunday).
• Pro rata fare surcharge applies from other ports.
•        Fly free offer is based on seat class availability; an additional surcharge may apply for travel on certain flights.

       We recommend travel insurance.

^{Reservations: T (61) 2 9918 4355 | E reserve@baillielodges.com.au}

^{Media Enquiries: E media@baillielodges.com.au |W baillielodges.com.au/media.asp}

^{Images: A selection of Capella Lodge images is free for download}

^{Editors Notes: Baillie Lodges is a collection of intimate luxury lodges in unique wilderness destinations. Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island launched the portfolio and continues to capture guests in its magic. Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia’s first true luxury lodge offering a premium nature-based escape. Both Baillie Lodges properties are honoured as founding members of Luxury Lodges of Australia.}

Weekend Australian Magazine

With words by Graham Lloyd and great images by Vanessa Hunter, the Lord Howe story begins,  

‘From the sundeck plunge pool at Lord Howe Island’s Capella Lodge the clouds hug the towering cliffs of Mt Gower, soaring from a cobalt blue sea in a vision that is more Hawaii than Pacific island NSW.  It is the ideal place to contemplate the fortunes of island guide Jack Shick and his great-grand father Nathan Thompson, who was blessed with the sort of seafaring luck so impossibly good it is difficult to believe. En route to Lord Howe in 1853, Nathan’s ship chanced upon a canoe containing five Micronesian beauties, one a princess, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Naturally, one became his wife…’ 

Read the rest of this great island tale at http://lordhowe.com/press/AustralianMagazineMarch20117517.pdf

Aerial View of Capella on Lord Howe complete with chopper and cows grazing

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 8^th 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 9^th 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.’

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!