Can I Bring Food to Norfolk Island?

Historically Norfolk Island, situated a short 2-hour flight from Sydney or Brisbane, has relied upon shipping (and in later years airfreight) to supply items not readily available on the island such as processed foodstuffs and building materials.

While an isolated location requires many goods to be imported, there are numerous businesses and practices that produce and supply the local market and support a unique way of Island life.  Long before it became a buzzword for environmental policy, “sustainability” has been the norm necessitated by the Island’s small, isolated location in the Pacific.   As a result, the fresh food that travellers see on the produce section and at the local supermarket or at road-side stalls has likely been picked fresh that morning, and enables our cafés and restaurants to offer delicious, fresh seasonal meals.

The isolated location of our island home does sometimes mean however that food stuffs such as flour, cereal, alcohol, and other processed items can be in low supply if a ship is delayed for any reason.

Travellers can bring unopened processed foodstuffs in their luggage, so long as it complies with the strict biosecurity laws enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment for the island’s protection.

You need to be aware that Norfolk Island’s locally grown fruit, vegetables and honey are free of many diseases found on the Australian mainland. It vitally important that you do NOT bring fresh foods including fruit and vegetables in your luggage that could compromise the health of local crops.

Recent measures have been put in place to protect Norfolk Island bees. If you bring a jar of honey with you it must be no bigger than 750gms, be commercially prepared and packaged, have county of origin as Australia or New Zealand.

Remember that you must declare certain food, plant material (including wooden articles) and animal products on your incoming passenger card.  Vegetables, fruit, plants, and seeds are prohibited imports as they are a high-risk for bringing introduced disease to the Island. Pork and poultry from New Zealand are strictly prohibited.  On arrival at the airport, if you have items you do not wish to declare, you can dispose of them in the bins provided. You will not be penalised if all items are declared, even if they are not allowed into Norfolk Island. If you are not sure what you can take, ask a Biosecurity officer.

For further information for what you can bring to the Island, visit the Australian Biosecurity website or send them an email to norfolk.island@agriculture.gov.au.

**Images courtesy of Norfolk Island Food Festival