Territory of Norfolk IslandTerritory of Norfolk Island

Territory of Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is located in the South Pacific Ocean at latitude 29°02’ S and longitude
167° 57’ E. Norfolk Island covers an area of 3,455 hectares and is located approximately 1,700 kilometres from Sydney, Australia, and 1,100 kilometres from Auckland, New Zealand (Map 1).

The Territory of Norfolk Island includes Nepean and Phillip Islands—small, uninhabited islands that lie to the south of Norfolk Island—as well as several rocky islets along the island coastline. Norfolk Island covers an area of 3,455 hectares with a permanent population of approximately 1,800.

Archaeological evidence suggests Norfolk Island was inhabited by Polynesians between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries – it is unknown whether the Polynesian population moved on, or died out. Rediscovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and found to be uninhabited, Norfolk was settled by the British in 1788, just five weeks after the First Fleet’s arrival in Australia. The island operated as a colonial settlement between 1788
and 1814, utilising convict labour to harvest and mill Norfolk Island pines and harvest
flax for the making of canvas. In 1825 a penal settlement was established, operating until 1855, when the last remaining convicts were removed.

In June 1856 the Island was settled by the Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their families. Pitcairn had become too small for their growing population and was no longer a suitable home. The Pitcairners established a permanent settlement on Norfolk Island and their descendants make up around one
third of the Island’s current population.