Any Travels

A small volcanic island, rugged in appearance rising to 330m, it is situated in the Pacific Ocean roughly mid-way between Panama and New Zealand, east south east of Tahiti. Even at Bounty Bay, the only landing place, access to Pitcairn Island from the sea is difficult.

Archaeological remains prove the island was inhabited by Polynesians some 600 years ago. Fletcher Christian and eight of the Bounty mutineers accompanied by twelve Tahitian women and six men made it their home in 1790.

The island was abandoned in 1856 for Norfolk Island, however, 43 Pitcairn Islanders found their way back and since then the island has been permanently settled.

Pitcairn is under the British High Commissioner in New Zealand who is Governor of Pitcairn and neighbouring Henderson, Ducie and Oeno islands.

Access is only by sea and anyone wishing to land must obtain a licence which is valid for six months.

The only houses are owned by families, and there are no hotels or guest houses. Accommodation with one of the families can be arranged for visitors by applying to the island magistrate. All roads are dirt and transport is by motorcycle or on foot.

Most of the inhabitants are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church so there is no tobacco smoking or consumption of liquor. Gardening and fishing are an important part of tropical and sub-tropical crops for local consumption.

Today there are little over 50 people living on Pitcairn Island. They live in a communal village style in houses that are a combination of European and Tahitian architecture. Provisions not grown or manufactured on Pitcairn are brought in by sea, as there are no aircraft landing facilties. The main form of income is the sale of native crafts. The Seventh Day Adventist religion plays a large part in the lives of the islanders. The island is a territory of Great Britain, and is governed from New Zealand.

To this day, Pitcairn remains one of the most isolated habited places on earth. Since Pitcairn lies outside the normal shipping navigation paths, contact with the island is sporadic at best. Travel to Pitcairn is very difficult, and there are no facilities for tourists. Pitcairn visitors must obtain arrange to stay with native families, and written permission from the government is required to visit the island. There is no television on Pitcairn, and limited telephone service. Mail to and from Pitcairn is very slow. Ham radio appears to be the most reliable form of communication with Pitcairn Island.