The Australian’s monthly WISH Magazine is full of things to add to your wish-list, and here in this month’s edition is … the magic Lord Howe Island. Capella features (naturally!) along with a host of things to enjoy whilst on the world’s most subtropical coral island…
Read the full story here, and keep adding to that bucket list!
http://lordhowe.com/press/Wish-StephenBrook-Feb2013389.pdf
A weeklong rockfest of free concerts and entertainment for locals and tourists, and music tuition for school students
Big Music Australia, Sydney’s leading one-stop music shop today announced it’s taking enough professional audio equipment, musicians, bands, crew and music teachers across the Tasman Sea to provide a weeklong rockfest of music and entertainment for the Lord Howe Island community in late March 2012.
“Lord Howe Island is excited to play host to Rockfest in March. Due to our remote location and logistical issues we often lack cultural opportunities otherwise available on the mainland. We are grateful to Big Music Australia for their generous level of support for the event as it will provide a unique opportunity for islanders to participate in a special musical experience,” said Stephen Wills, CEO Lord Howe Island Board.
Receiving enormous support from the locals, the Big Music ‘Lord Howe Island Rockfest 2012’ is a FREE event and runs from 25-31 March 2012. Open to the entire community, the Rockfest comprises a week of live Rock ‘n’ Roll concerts and popular music at a variety of locations on the Island, including an outdoor concert on the main street on 25th March, and another on the LHI Golf Course on 30th March. Between the main concerts, there will be smaller acoustic shows at Island cafes and resorts, including The Anchorage Restaurant on 27th and 28th March.
Entertainment includes live music from Dave ‘The Balladier’ Bonnin, Rock Bottom (playing covers, Beatles, Eagles, Stones and Classic Gold Hits), The Lounge Sweets, and the B!G House Band.
The bands performing on the Island are a mix of talented music teachers, professional artists and accomplished student musicians – all from the Big Music Band Program – an initiative that teaches people who can play an instrument, how to apply their musical skills and perform in a band. For the talented students performing ‘live’ with professional musicians, to an appreciative audience, at a location as idyllic as Lord Howe, is an experience that will make their lifelong musical dream a reality.
Nicky Scali from Nick Scali Furniture, and advanced guitarist in the Big Music Band Program said: “The Rockfest is such a fantastic initiative. I’m 100% behind this event and look forward to sharing my dream and performing at one of the concerts on the Island,” Mr Scali added.
The Rockfest also brings music to school children on the Island who do not have access to a music teacher. Lord Howe Island Central School students will be treated to free music tuition, as well as lessons in percussion, ukulele and singing by Big Music’s qualified music teachers. Later in the week, they will participate in the final Rockfest concert, supported by a professional band, and sing a popular song for everyone on the Island to join in and enjoy.
“The generosity of Big Music to bring their music, tuition and expertise to our school, will add enormous value and support to our student cohort who really love music. This is a positive experience for all students, and an offering beyond our capabilities. We are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to facilitating further music programs from this experience into the future,” said Julian Mostert, Principal of Lord Howe Island Central School.
Big Music is about making musical dreams come true. It’s committed to increasing music participation in the Australian community, including sub-tropical Islands such as Lord Howe.
Big Music is the ultimate music destination. It gives everyday people the opportunity to fulfil their musical dreams and “do it for real”. Big Music brings music lovers’ dreams to life – more www.bigmusic.com.au
Lord Howe Island this week proved a perfect trans-Tasman pitstop for a Grumman Avenger WW2 Torpedo Bomber. The impressive plane stopped off for fuel on its way to the War Birds over Wanaka Show in NZ. Its noisy arrival created lots of interest amongst our lodge guests, Lord Howe Island locals and of course the island’s school children.
Terrific conservation news from Lord Howe: A young Loggerhead Turtle released by Taronga Zoo staff off Lord Howe Island in January will assist researchers understand the mysterious migration habits of this endangered species.
Loggerhead turtles leave their nesting grounds in Queensland as tiny hatchlings and don’t return until they are breeding adults at over 30 years old.
No-one knows where they go in between! The 12.5Kg turtle has been fitted with a satellite tracker that will log its journey.
What better place to swim free than Lord Howe Island?!
For more, see the Taronga Zoo news release at http://taronga.org.au/news/2012-01-20/endangered-loggerhead-set-unlock-turtles-lost-years
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 second Sunday of every month is Market Day on Lord Howe Island.
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
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.
From Lodge Manager, Libby Grant
This week is the Lord Howe Island International Golf Open. 75 golfers have come from as far as Canada and Germany to play this five day tournament.
The competition is played under the same rules and format as the Australian Masters which is currently playing in Melbourne with two exceptions; the prizes on offer and no, Tiger Woods isn’t playing!
The current leader is 83 years young and he also won the competition two years ago. Many islanders have joined in and they all look forward to the friendly rivalry and especially to the bar being open in the afternoon!
The local policeman (yes we only have one) is playing, so luckily crime is not prevalent on LHI. It took the supply ship from the mainland a few days to unload its cargo as there was no one to unload it!
That’s Lord Howe Island and yes, it is paradise.
A green with a view
Turtle time on Lord Howe
Mike Dolan of The Australian Women’s Weekly greets a friendly turtle whilst snorkelling on Lord Howe Island. Mike says, ‘As I took the plunge with mask and snorkel, the turtle looked me in the eye as if to say, “Come on, mate, I haven’t got all day to show you around the bay”.’
Turtle cruises Lord Howe's waters
