Unique flora & fauna
World heritage listed
Flora
Though encircled by vast ocean, Lord Howe has become home to a wide array of plants. A migration of species from neighbouring lands such as Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and other Pacific Islands was possible due to past low sea levels where surrounding islands acted as ‘stepping-stones'. Both the isolation that ensued with a rise in sea level, and the complex microhabitats of Lord Howe's valleys, mountains and ridges provoked the process of evolution, thus creating unique habitats, such as the true mist forest on the Island's mountain summits. On Lord Howe there are 105 rare endemic plants!
Fauna
Though there is no mega fauna on Lord Howe Island there is a profusion of butterflies and birds, whilst below the waterline, the marine life is astounding. Lord Howe is one of the world's best examples of insular biota, where isolation has seen unique species evolve. Here rare sea and land birds, plus small endemic lizards, survive within this World Heritage wonderland.
Also see: Lord Howe Island Bird Life, Lord Howe Island Butterflies, Endemic Plants and Our Snail.
See Maps – Lord Howe Island Walking Trails Map and Lord Howe Island Bird Map