KINGSTON, Norfolk Island Cruise Port

Located between the mainland and New Zealand and New Caldonia, Kingston is located on Norfolk Island, is one of Australia’s oldest settlements, and its second oldest town. This spanning, heavily-forested area promises breathtaking views, and rewarding coastal hikes that cover large portions of the scantly-populated island. While technically part of Australia, Kingston and the other settlements on the island live under their own government, laws, and budget. Popular activities in and outside of town include bush walking, golf, horseback riding, snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as fishing. There are also many parks and trails for jogging, cycling, and additional riding. In 2010, the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, a historic settlement situated on Kingston’s coastline, got recognized by both the Australian National Heritage List and UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It noted as the best surviving example of large-scale convict transportation and is one of 11 Australian Convict Sites.

• The Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area is a stunning beautiful structure memorializing a disturbing past. The guides on sight inform visitors about the building itself, as well as talking about the cruel treatment the convicts had to endure.
   
• Visit the Norfolk Island Cemetery for a bombardment of history among the aged stones. These guides too will tell colorful and sometimes terrifying stories of the island’s history.
   
• When exploring the St. Barnabas Chapel, one of the island’s oldest, be on the lookout for a William Morris rose-stained glass window and its Victorian-era pipe organ.
   
• The Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama is a unique 360-degree, panoramic painting that does a grand job in illustrating how a famous mutiny played a part in creating the Norfolk Island community.