PODCAST EPISODE 57: Jack Shick of Lord Howe Island Tours, Lord Howe Island, Australia

PODCAST EPISODE 57: Jack Shick of Lord Howe Island Tours, Lord Howe Island, Australia Australia is still so mysterious to me, as I feel it is to many people who now call Australia home. Across this vast land, there is incredible diversity, many paradises, many isolated landscapes, abundant in unique flora and fauna. And as we move in and out of lockdowns due to COVID-19, my mind wanders to the many places I long to visit. One of these places at the top of my list is Lord Howe Island, and when I am there, I will be sure to spend time with local beekeeper and tour guide, Jack Shick of Lord Howe Island Tours. Being a fifth-generation Islander, a third-generation tour guide, and the keeper with the most colonies on Lord Howe, I know I will be in safe and knowledgeable hands with Jack! Lord Howe Island is a tiny crescent-shaped island in the Tasman Sea east of Port Macquarie, NSW, between Australia and New Zealand. With remarkable and unique natural features and fantastic endemic wildlife, this World-heritage listed location is a truly stunning part of the world. Lord Howe is known for its sandy beaches, subtropical forests, sparkling clear waters, pristine coral reef and amazing bird watching. It is also the perfect secluded get away, with great places to eat, drink, hike, swim, snorkel, fish and relax. Most of the population of Lord Howe live in the south of the island— here, Ned’s beach has calm waters with an abundance of fish and coral life. The water is a spectacular blue-green hue. The south, however, is dominated by forest, and is where you will find Mount Gower—875 m high, hiking the eight hours to its peak is considered one of Australia’s greatest day walks. The island is home to many seabird colonies, including the Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)— a large, white seabird, that can fly far from the land to areas of the deep sea where it will dive for fish and squid. Only allowing 400 visitors at a time, Lord Howe is a total paradise, and just a short two-hour flight from Australia's east coast. Tune in to hear Jack and I chat about what it’s like to live and work on gorgeous Lord Howe Island, on keeping his 10 hives of bees, and the delicious rich caramel flavour of his locally made honey. https://www.lordhoweislandtours.net/