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Go to Lord Howe Island before the rest of the world finds out it's on the World's Best list.

Look, it’s a real kick in the guts that little Lord Howe Island – home to less than 400 people, only slightly bigger than a postage stamp, is on this year’s Lonely Planet’s Best Places To Visit List.

Because it’s already hard to get to – you have to fly on a small plane, and the planes are often delayed and cancelled because it’s not amateur hour landing on the little spot – and it’s already expensive to go there – with limited resources, it costs a fair bit to run a resort there – but now it’s going to be even harder.

And that’s a shame, because Lord Howe Island is the most gorgeously glorious, completely unique place you’re ever going to get to.

 

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It’s a dead-set island paradise that can never be too busy (only 400 tourists can ever be on the island at any one time), can never be over-developed (it’s World Heritage-listed, which means incredibly strict rules about building anything) and can never be over-run by digital nomads (there’s no WIFI, or even mobile phone reception).

Nope, all you’re going to get on Lord Howe Island is scenery so stunning you’ll be tapping it to see if it’s a film-set; deserted, pristine beaches where you can wade in and swim alongside colourful fish and turtles in the clearest warm water you’ve ever seen. You’ll get mountains to climb (if you’re into that sort of thing), bushwalks to wander, push-bikes to ride along palm-fringed, car-free roads.

You’ll get a taste of strange and fascinating local history (the stunning Pinetrees Lodge has been in the same family for five generations, and was once a pine plantation run by a gun-toting matriarch), you’ll get incredible food and wine and seafood that couldn’t be fresher and you’ll get sunsets that make you teary. At least, they make me teary.

What’s it like to live on Lord Howe, a beautiful place with no Internet? Listen to this TGM episode to find out. Post continues below.

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You’ll also get the opportunity to snorkel and dive a pristine reef that’s as-yet untouched by the bleaching that plagues its Queensland relative.

Most of all you’ll get peace and beauty and boasting rights forever.

So make the effort and bloody go, before this Lonely Planet business ruins it for all of us.

* In case you’re wondering, Lord Howe Island is officially in New South Wales, and is about 600 kilometres east of Port Macquarie. You can fly there from Sydney and Brisbane.

If you were ever in doubt about travelling there, here are 21 pictures that say it all.

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One of the most incredible experiences ever. @visitlordhoweisland

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Tommy with a cheeky short game

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Two hours from Sydney. . . . . . . . . #australia #newsouthwales #lordhoweisland #travel #marinesanctuaries #lifeaquatic

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The Lord Howe Island Providence Petrel Selfie from the top of Mt Gower… challenge set Hemsworth! ????

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Little bit of birthday fun for my guesties this week ????

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The primordial forest.

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What we have on earth is all we’ll ever have. We need to remember that. ????

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A special little moment captured by my Dad ????????

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Perfect afternoon ???????????? #lordhoweisland #living_australia #islandlife #wineoclock #love #admiraltyapartments

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I think we’re settling in

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Have you visited Lord Howe Island? If so, tell us about your favourite things to do there in the comments below.