The Journey
Located just two hours off the eastern coast of Australia, but only accessible to 400 visitors at any one time, Lord Howe Island is one of the world’s most incredible hidden paradises.
The Legend - Rick White
For Rick White, founder of Mountain Designs, life was about adventure, getting outdoors and exploring everything the world had to offer. His passion was climbing and in the late 1960s, Rick’s name became synonymous with daring – almost crazy – ascents of various Australian climbs. With an ambitious desire to push the limits, he soon began venturing into the unknown and forging new routes, inspiring a cohort of local climbers along the way. Rick was indeed a visionary and a pioneer, and in 1975 following a bold attempt to climb Mt Fitz Roy in Patagonia, he dreamed up and began operating a climbing equipment business that would later become known as Mountain Designs.
Lord Howe Island has an excellent series of trails that cater to every ability level. For the novice hikers, Old Gulch is an easier 300 metre walk or you can head further south for Mount Gower, a must-do. Recognised as one of Australia’s best day walks, the 8-hour, 4.5km (one-way) trip will reward you with spectacular views from the 875-metre summit.
Lord Howe Island is home to just 380 permanent residents and at any one time, only 400 visitors are allowed to join them on the island. It is known as a well-preserved eco-wonderland, where lush greenery meets golden sands and sparking blue ocean waters, and in 1982 was World Heritage listed on the basis of its burgeoning tropical marine life and bird life populations.
The sparkling water of the island beckons all visitors, and it is impossible to not spend some time playing in, or on, the lagoon itself. Marine life that can be found is both abundant and broad in range, with approximately 90 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish found in the area. The calm lagoon offers a nice starting spot, while for the really adventurous, head to Ball’s Pyramid, the world’s tallest volcanic stack (551 metres) found 23km south of the island
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