PRESS ARTICLES

The Class of 2004

Weekend Australian
December, 2004

Susan Kurosawa, Judith Elen and James Jeffrey present their best travel discoveries of the year

Lord Howe Island's recently glammed up Capella Lodge provides a new standard of low-key luxury for 20 guests on this little isle off the NSW coast. Lord Howe is an exercise in time travelling - and make that half a century, at least. Just 400 tourists (no campers) are allowed at any period to swell the population of 330. Getting about is by bikes or shank's pony and the attractions on the World Heritage-listed island range from snorkelling in ultramarine lagoons to hearty climbs of 875m Mt Gower and walks through corridors of colossal banyans, pandanus and kentia palms. After such exertion Capella Lodge is cool and calm, all ceiling fans and contemporary rattan, its colour palette an echo of the sand and sea, its water views the best of any accommodation on the island. More: (02) 99184355; www.lordhowe.com