US tourists’ $10k Aussie holiday ruined by island closure

A US couple spent $10,000 to travel across the globe to visit a beautiful Aussie tourist destination – that’s when it all went terribly wrong.

Lord Howe Island Board suddenly closed the majority of the island on March 15, surprising tourists who had already booked trips there. Picture: Auswalk

A fortnight ago when a tiny Australian island known for its white-sanded beaches and hiking trails suddenly announced a closure of the majority of the island, tourists were left in limbo.

Lord Howe Island Board announced the Permanent Park Preserve (PPP) was closed “effective immediately” on March 15 “due to the escalating risk of myrtle rust”, a serious plant disease discovered on the island on February 3.

Some northern tracks reopened on Saturday, March 25 as part of a plan to gradually reopen the PPP in stages, but for those visiting during the complete closure period, their holidays had already been greatly affected.

Frustrated tourists surprised by the sudden closure took to Facebook to point out how expensive a holiday on the island was, pleading for information about compensation given there was no warning that the closure was coming.

Lord Howe Island only allows 400 tourists at a time.

Sydney man Ian Freestone said he had asked 30 people including family and friends to join him for his 60th birthday, a trip he said was three years in the making with the main activity to be hiking through the PPP.

“To close without notice is devastating for me and my friends,” he wrote on the Lord Howe Island Board Facebook group.

“Compensation would be a step, but preferably ensure that the resources of our government assist you to manage the tracks asap and reopen the walks.

“‘But the island is still open’ we are told. Bit like going to Luna Park but not allowed to go on all the rides.”

Lord Howe Island Board suddenly closed the majority of the island on March 15, surprising tourists who had already booked trips there. Picture: Getty

Neil Lapetina, a tourist coming all the way from New Mexico in the US, agreed.

“We are flying from the US to do several walks … in nature of course,” he wrote.

“This is the REASON we planned to visit this island. If this outbreak is as bad as they say, then close the island and issue refunds.

“But if there’s a reasonable way to walk the island without significantly worsening the outbreak, then advise accordingly and let us do what we paid to do. Anything short of this is simply disrespectful to your visitors.”

7 News reported Mr Lapetina and his wife Denise Cordero had spent $20,000 with another couple to travel across the globe to hike at Lord Howe Island, while Mr Freestone’s birthday trip cost at least $60,000 for the group.

The US couple wrote to the Lord Howe Island Board directly for more information, the publication reported. They had been training for their hiking holiday for three months.

“We’re putting $20,000, between the two couples, into this. I’ve worked hard all my life for this, for money – this doesn’t grow on trees,” he said they explained.

They reportedly received no direct response.

“We’re nature lovers … we get it,” he said. “But communication has been lacking. To hear about this first through word-of-mouth, that’s not the way to do it.”

Lord Howe Island is a hikers paradise with one US couple training three months for their holiday there, only to find out it was shut. Picture: Auswalk

In its announcement of the closure, Lord Howe Island Board explained the closure was needed on March 15 to prevent spread by human activity. It said the highly transferable Myrtle Rust spore can be spread on clothing, skin, hair, footwear and equipment.

“We recognise that this is not the only way spore can be spread, but it is one way that we can control for. Park closure will also allow for more intensive planning, assessment and structured surveys,” a notice said.

It said previous efforts had concentrated on minimising spore load and spread through curative and preventive spraying.

In response to those asking if refunds and compesation will be offered, Lord Howe Island Board wrote: “More information about alternate, available attractions on the island during your stay can be found here https://lordhoweisland.info/natural-attractions/, with further details coming.

“We are working with travel agencies, airlines, and lodges to advise on bookings. Information will be updated on our Facebook page, website (https://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/), and on LHI Tourism’s website (https://lordhoweisland.info/) as soon as it becomes available.”

They also said they are “assessing the situation weekly and will keep providing up to date information”.

News.com.au has contacted the Lord Howe Island Board for further comment.

The northern tracks that reopened on Saturday included Malabar, Kim’s Lookout, Max Nicholls Memorial Track, Transit Hill, Clear Place, Middle Beach, Valley of the Shadows, Blackburn Island, Mt Eliza, Old Gulch and North Bay.

The board said this decision was made after extensive monitoring which found no new sites of Myrtle Rust infestation.

A review of reopening access to the southern PPP is due by the end of the week.