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Subscriber only Sunshine Coast Council is investigating after two newly planted pine trees were vandalised in a senseless act of destruction at Alexandra Headland. The council s Parks and Gardens team planted the two Norfolk Island pine trees opposite the Alex Heads skate park, on the beach side, as part of park upgrades. A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the
Daily the trees had been snapped by human hands at the highest part meaning they would stop growing. He said branches had been left at the base of both trees. Two planted Norfolk Island pine trees were snapped at the top to halt their growth in a senseless act of destruction at Alexandra Headland. Picture: Sunshine Coast Council
The one historical site Norfolk Island s extensive and dramatic British seaside penal ruins form part of the Unesco World Heritage Australian Convict Sites listing. Rivalling Port Arthur, Tasmania, for breadth and being relatively intact, the Kingston and Arthur s Vale Historic Area includes the beautifully-preserved Government House. The 1829 Georgian mansion opens to the public and visitors on select days. See norfolkisland.com.au
LAWRENCE SMITH
Norfolk Island s cemetery in Kingston houses dozens of sunken tombstones belonging to convicts and early settlers, many of whom are descendants off the HMS Bounty. The one stay Norfolk Island, unlike Lord Howe Island to which it s often compared, lacks the distinctive luxury lodge-style accommodation found on the latter isle. Some glamour wouldn t go astray on Norfolk but you won t be slumming it either at secluded King Tide House, a luxury home perched between a forest of pines and a cliff-face overlooking a bluer-than-blue Pacif
THE ONE ARTWORK
Norfolk Island, an external territory of Australia, is home to descendants of Fletcher Christian s 1789 Mutiny on the Bounty. Discover their story at the Fletcher s Mutiny Cyclorama, a 360 degree painting, as it brings to life this extraordinary affair and how, with the acquiescence of Queen Victoria, early mutineer descendants eventually found their way to Norfolk Island after abandoning their original Pitcairn Island home. See norfolkcyclorama.com
THE ONE VIEW
Popular Mount Pitt, at 320 metres, provides sublime panoramic views of the island and the Pacific Ocean. Special too, are the vistas and setting afforded from the Captain Cook Memorial clifftop lookout inside Norfolk Island National Park. From here, where Cook and his officers landed in 1774, a series of karsts, a Great Ocean Road in miniature, emerge from the crashing sea as migratory birds swirl above. See parksaustralia.gov.au
AROUND ANASTASIA ISLAND: Secret of Christmas tree revealed
Lorraine Thompson
Much was different about the Christmas of 2020 including Surf Illumination and the lighting of the St. Augustine Beach Christmas tree. The tale of the giant tree was recently revealed by Bill Jones, president of the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association.
“For nearly 20 years, the Civic Association’s Surf Illumination has faced many challenges regarding the community Christmas Tree,” Jones explained.
“We’ve always had difficulty keeping a tree green alive in the salt air. At one point a very large and beautiful artificial tree was purchased. That tree looked great until late night partygoers vandalized it,” Jones continued.
The Penguin Parade has had an iso makeover with a new modernist entrance to the wooden boardwalks where you can view the so-cute-it-hurts Little Penguins make their nightly waddle-dash to their sandy burrows. Not only is there a new building (shaped like a penguin wing from above) and reclaimed land for additional burrows, but visitor numbers are reduced due to COVID restrictions and you can almost come nose to beak with the little voyagers without fighting busloads of tourists. See penguins.org.au
THE ONE INDULGENCE
The only thing more eye-catching than the coastal view at The Cape Kitchen is the art-on-a-plate that arrives at the table, packed with seasonal Victorian produce. The simple, modern space is coloured in the greys and creams of a sea squall and you can wander the cliff-side real estate in between courses to discover sculptures and secretive bunkers. You might have a dish of grilled Skull Island prawns punched up by a spicy shallot, tomato and maple salsa or the hou