Documents
Lord Howe Island is part of NSW, and Australian residents are not required to carry passports. You will need photo ID when you check-in with Qantas.
Guest Information
Airport transfers
We’ll meet you at the airport on arrival and we’ll drop you to the airport on departure.
Time
Lord Howe local time is the same as Sydney during the daylight saving period, and 30 minutes ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Please adjust your watch to make sure you don’t miss meals!
Activities and tours
Our recommended tours and activities will help you experience the very best that Lord Howe has to offer. Most are dependent on weather, tides and a minimum number of guests, so please book early to avoid disappointment. The tours and activities can be arranged when you arrive and charged directly to your Pinetrees account – just make a booking at the Pinetrees Office. If you’d like to climb Mt Gower, go deep sea fishing or diving then we recommend that you pre-book these activities before you travel. The Pinetrees Travel office can provide the contact details of recommended tour operators. Please pre-book any tour or activity that you especially want to experience to avoid disappointment.
Meals
Breakfast is served from 8am-9am, lunch is from 12.30pm-1pm, afternoon tea is served at 4pm and dinner is served at 7pm (or 7.30pm during the summer months). Kids’ dinner is available by arrangement. We also provide BBQ hampers and picnics if you’d like to have lunch elsewhere on the island. We’ll talk to you each morning at breakfast about your lunch plans for the day. If you require an early breakfast and packed lunch for a full day tour, then please ask staff at dinner the night before and we’ll arrange a breakfast tray to take to your room after dinner.
Kids’ meals
Please ask us on check-in if you’d like supplies in your room to prepare an early breakfast for kids who wake up early. We can provide bread, a toaster, cereal, milk, fruit and yogurt etc. Kids love our picnic lunches and BBQs – just ask us if you’d like a couple of Vegemite sandwiches added to your hamper. We can provide mash or other soft food for babies. We serve an early kids’ dinner at 6pm. It’s suitable for babies and kids up to the age of 12, and is a Pinetrees institution! The food is healthy and delicious and there’s always ice cream for dessert. Unfortunately we can’t provide kids’ meals during dinner service at 7pm – there isn’t enough space in the kitchen! Bigger kids are welcome at adults’ dinner if they’re happy to eat adults’ food.
Day spa
We provide massage, facial and beauty treatments with the very best products. Please make a booking at the Pinetrees Office. As the Day Spa is extremely popular we recommend pre-booking before you arrive to avoid disappointment. Please call the lodge on 02 6563 2177 to pre-book your treatment time – the specific treatment can be chosen on the day.
Books and games
We have a great selection of books, magazines and newspapers available in the lounge. Please return them before you depart. We also have a variety of board games and cards.
Internet
There’s wireless internet service at the Lord Howe Island Museum and Anchorage Café – less than a five-minute bike ride from Pinetrees. There’s no internet service at Pinetrees (by popular demand). As horrific as it seems, you’ll love it by the third day of your stay.
Laundry
Our guest laundry has complimentary washing machines, clothes dryer, ironing board and detergent. There’s a guest clothes line next to the water tanks near the laundry.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited anywhere on Pinetrees grounds. Sorry!
Telephones
Please use the phone next to the notice board for free local calls and calls to the mainland (calling cards are available at the lodge). The phone number for the lodge is 02 6563 2177 so friends and family can contact you while you’re away.
Tennis
Please use the tennis court between 8am and 6pm – there’s no booking system. Please wear white soled tennis shoes only. There are rackets and balls available in the lodge.
Towels
We provide separate beach towels and bath towels.
Valuables
Lord Howe is a crime free community – yes, really. You’ll notice honesty systems at the Golf Club, Neds Beach and along the road for local produce. There’s no lock on your door and no key. We have never had a case of theft at Pinetrees, but please use our safe for valuables.
Waste
Lord Howe has a strict waste disposal system, so please ensure you adhere to the instructions in your room about recycling and separating waste.
Water
We have limited supplies of treated bore water for showers and rain water for drinking. Please have short showers to help us conserve water.
Baby equipment
We have portacots, high chairs, baby baths and strollers.
Babysitters
Babysitters may be available during your stay, however we can’t always arrange a babysitter at short notice. If you’d like to discuss babysitting requirements and charges, please email the lodge directly at office@pinetrees.com.au
Bar
Pinetrees is licensed and our bar has a great selection of beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks and juices for sale. Bar service is available at lunch and an hour before dinner, and table service is available during dinner.
Bikes
Bikes are the best mode of transport on Lord Howe – it’s part of the experience! Bikes are available at Wilson’s Hire from Sunday to Friday (9am – 5pm). Road rules are the same as other towns in NSW and helmets are compulsory. Please ensure you return your bike to Wilson’s Hire by 10am on the day of your departure. If you’d like to reserve your bikes please call Wilson’s Hire on 02 6563 2045 to pre-book (recommended during school holidays and peak travel periods).
Transport
We’ll drive you to and from the airport on your arrival day and departure day, but we can’t provide any other guest transport around the island – sorry, we have limited staff and vehicles. Instead, you’ll need to ride a bike or walk – and that’s the best part of a Lord Howe holiday. If you’re unable to ride or walk then you’ll need to rent a car. There are only a limited number of cars available on the island and they’re in high demand, so we strongly recommend pre-booking a car before you arrive. Please contact Pinetrees Travel at info@pinetrees.com.au for more information about rental car suppliers.
Boatshed
The Pinetrees boatshed is one of the best places on Lord Howe. It’s open each day from 7.30am to 7.30pm. The honesty bar has beer, wine, champagne, juices and soft drinks. Please write your name and drinks on the sheet provided, and we’ll add it to your account. It’s a great place to meet other guests and share a sunset drink.
Car hire
A limited number of hire cars are available from Wilson’s Hire, Thompson’s Store and Leanda Lei. If you’d like to rent a car during your stay then we strongly suggest pre-booking a car before you arrive. Please contact Pinetrees Travel at info@pinetrees.com.au for more information about rental car suppliers.
Check-out
Check-out time is 10am. Sometimes we can provide late check-outs if new guests are not arriving in your room that day. We’ll advise check-out details the day before your departure.
Accounts
Please pay for your drinks, incidentals and tours at breakfast or lunch on the day of your departure. We’ll have your account ready at the bar.
Credit cards
We accept MasterCard and Visa (with a standard surcharge). There’s an ATM next door at the Bowling Club.
Electricity
Lord Howe is powered by diesel generators and we have limited power supplies. We can’t provide air conditioners or heaters (not that you’ll need them). Please help us conserve power and ensure your lights are turned off when you’re not using them.
Emergency contacts
A free phone is located in the lodge. In an emergency, please call the doctor’s residence on 6563 2056 or the police station on 6563 2199. You can also dial 000.
