Discover Anson Bay Reserve

Anson Bay Reserve is located on the north- western coast of Norfolk Island. The Reserve includes part of a steep amphitheater above Anson Bay, and the remainder of the land above the bay is Commonwealth land associated with the Cable Station.

The outstanding coastal scenery of Anson Bay is a major tourist attraction and is widely used in promotional material to demonstrate the intrinsic natural beauty of Norfolk Island. The high cliffs with impressive exposures of columnar basalt lava flows and colourful layers of volcanic ash and scoria are visually and geologically interesting.

The Anson Bay Reserve picnic area is small and is favoured by Norfolk Island people as a quiet location for family or group barbecues and picnics. The Reserve is a popular venue for sightseeing and bird watching and provides access to Anson Bay for surfing / body boarding, swimming and rock fishing. You must be a competent swimmer as there are often strong currents and rips in the bay.

The recently upgraded Picnic area now includes running water, flush toilets and on site barbecue's.

Named by Lt.Philip Gidley King

Lt.Philip Gidley King, first Commandant of Norfolk Island ( 1788-90 ) , named Anson Bay after George Anson ( 1731-1789, born Adams ), Member of Parliament for Lichfield ( 1770-89 ). George Anson was a nephew of one of the Royal Navy's most celebrated officer's: Admiral of the Fleet Lord George Anson. George Anson's wife was a descendent of the Dukes of Norfolk and sister of the Archbishop of York.

Cable Station

The Pacific Cable Board station at Anson Bay provided the first telegraphic contact between Norfolk Island and the outside world by cable linking Australia and New Zealand to Fiji and North America from 1902. The Cable was landed in the bay and hauled up the cliff faces to Cable Station on Anson Bay Road. In May 2002 the undersea cable system was replaced by satellite communications, and a satellite dish was erected at the Anson Bay Station

WWII Observation Posts

Two observation post were constructed in the Reserve during WWII to defend against possible landing by enemy forces. The more substantial of the two is located on the low coastal cliff near the southern boundary of the Reserve and is moderately intact. Built by N Force, these were part of a network of observation posts around the island, which was strategically important in the Pacific theatre for ferrying military aircraft to be deployed in the island to the north.

Comments

Lorded over by cliffs, #ansonbay is simply stunning and gloriously isolated. Hike the sloping trail that zigzags down from the roadside; it's relatively undemanding with spectacular views around every bend. On the beach below, it's likely to be just you, the sand and the sea. (Norfolk island Tourism)

Anson Bay ... One of the most spectacular beaches on Norfolk Island and one of my favourite locations. It's a relatively easy 30-minute walk DOWN (for the fit and mobile - it's not recommended for those who have mobility problems), but what goes down must come back up, and the return trek to the top is all uphill. However, it is worth the effort. Take a picnic or a snack ... enjoy watching waves crash over Pulpit Rock, walk the length of the beach (pick up plastic as you go - there always seems to be plenty lying around), watch a sunset if you're there in the warmer months when the sun is further around to the west, then gradually make your way back to the top. It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon. (Julie Hartwig - Discover Norfolk Island )

Credit : Julie Hartwig Photography