The Lord Howe Island Signal

Chelsea Holden. Last month the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association attended Destination Australia, a national conference examining the state and direction of Australian tourism. The conversations covered consumer behaviour, content strategy, international markets, and the long-term future of aviation.

Unusual capture at Balls Pyramid

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

31 March 2026

Aquaculture & fishing

Gary Sexton. Pinetree guests, Sam and Will, from country Victoria recently had a day out on Island Charter vessel Belle Chase. Skipper, Flinders Young, promised them a nice day out fishing for Wahoo and Kingfish around Balls Pyramid - but you can imagine their surprise when a giant Pacific Sailfish exploded onto the lures being trolled behind the boat.

Important Shark and Ray Area recognised around Lord Howe Island

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

Federal politics

2 March 2026

Sharks and rays are among the most endangered groups of animals on the planet ... The marine parks around Lord Howe Island have now been recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area ... The waters here support feeding and reproduction for Galapagos sharks...

Seven years in the making: Rise Whisky arrives on Lord Howe Island

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

3 February 2026

Business

After seven years of patience, persistence and a fair bit of experimentation, Lord Howe Island Distilling Co. has released its very first whisky - Rise ... For founders Anthony Riddle and Christian Young, the launch marks the end of a long journey that began not with whisky, but with a shared idea: that Lord Howe Island could produce spirits that reflected its unique environment, history and character.

Museum cultural project – A place names map

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

History & heritage

5 January 2026

Ian Hutton. Throughout 2025, the Lord Howe Historical Society has been working on a project to enhance the Island cultural history – a Place Names Map. Since the Island's discovery in 1788, a few place names have remained constant whilst others have changed depending on the era.

HMAS Canberra visit Lord Howe Island

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

2 December 2025

Community

HMAS Canberra visited Lord Howe Island on the 18th and 19th of November. The sailors came ashore in shifts to enjoy the Island, and our school children went aboard the ship to take a glimpse at shipboard life ... Throughout the two-day visit, Navy personnel spent time on the Island and were warmly received by the community.

Alan McCulloch

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

Community

31 October 2025

Brendan Atkins. "On a knoll commanding a wide view of peaceful mountain, reef and sea, there stands a monolith, erected to the memory of Allan McCulloch, naturalist, an outstanding figure in the history of the island", says cinematographer Frank Hurley in Jewel of the Pacific, his 1932 travelogue about Lord Howe Island.

Hon Tanya Plibersek visit to the island

Stephen Sia, The Lord Howe Island Signal

3 October 2025

Community

"Thank you for making my recent visit to your very special island such a pleasurable and memorable experience. Beginning with Rachael who greeted us on the tarmac to take us to our accommodation, it was like returning to see old friends, catching up on Island life in the three years since I last visited. After dropping off our luggage, we walked down to Campbell’s bike hire then cycled on to the school ..."