Only 400 visitors are allowed on it at once, which is exactly why it made the list.
Lord Howe Island has been ranked the fourth-quietest island in the world. A new index scored 100 islands on how much noise, light, traffic and development they have kept out, and Lord Howe finished ahead of every island in Asia, the Americas and the Pacific bar one – New Zealand’s Stewart Island/Rakiura, which topped the list with 94.6 out of 100.
Lord Howe scored 92.8. A second Australian island, Magnetic Island/Yunbenun, placed 13th on 81.7. Bali came 78th. Santorini finished 99th and Malta last of the 100.
Lord Howe Island has been ranked the fourth-quietest island in the world. (Credit: tom-archer.com)
The reason Lord Howe rates so highly is a rule that has been in place since 1981. No more than 400 visitors can be on the island at any one time, a cap enforced through a fixed number of licensed tourist beds issued by the Lord Howe Island Board. With around 380 permanent residents, that produces something close to one visitor per local at peak capacity.
The Unspoilt Index comes from BookRetreats.com, a retreat booking marketplace. Islands were scored against six criteria – rich nature, few roads, low air traffic, uncrowded space, dark night skies and natural coastal spots – using open satellite and mapping data, then weighted into a composite score.
No more than 400 visitors can be on Lord Howe Island at any one time. (Credit: tom-archer.com)
Lord Howe has the credentials. It sits 600 kilometres east of the NSW coast, was World Heritage-listed in 1982, and has almost no artificial light after dark – it’s on track to be certified as Australia’s first Dark Sky Island. Ball’s Pyramid, the volcanic sea stack 20 kilometres offshore, rises 562 metres out of the ocean and is the tallest of its kind anywhere.
The cap that earned Lord Howe fourth place is also what could stand between you and a booking. 400 beds across a handful of stays, including the exclusive Capella Lodge and the luxury Island House, means the September to April season fills months ahead, and flights and accommodation need to be booked together.
Stay at the exclusive Capella Lodge.
Magnetic Island, which placed 13th in the ranking, is a 20-minute ferry from Townsville, eight kilometres offshore, and 78 per cent of its 5184 hectares is protected as a national and conservation park. It holds the largest wild koala population in northern Australia, and the walking tracks through the granite headlands are day-trip length rather than expedition length.
Stewart Island, the winner, sits about 30 kilometres south of the NZ South Island. It has about 500 residents who share it with an estimated 20,000 kiwi, it’s the world’s southernmost International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and the three-day Rakiura Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.
For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.
From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.
These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.
1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko
Stand atop Mt Kosciuszko at full moon.
There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.
Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.
The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike. Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.
Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.
3. Lunar Eclipse Hike
See dazzling celestial displays.
What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.
It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.
Book now for 3 March.
4. New Moon Hike
Catch the changing skies of a new moon.
A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.
Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.
6. Merritts Nature Track
Stop at swimming holes along the way.
On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track, where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.
The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.
7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour
Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.
While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.
The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.
8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience
Join a two- or three-day experience along Snowies Alpine Walk.
If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.
The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.
