There are all kinds of amazing natural attractions on Lord Howe Island. But arguably the star of the bunch is Balls Pyramid, the highest sea stack on the planet and easily the most iconic rock outcropping on the island.
This jagged grey pillar of rock rises 551 metres straight out of the ocean, more than 20kms off the coast of Lord Howe Island.
It’s certainly worth taking a boat cruise to see it up close. Balls Pyramid is also one of Australia’s premier scuba diving sites, which is really saying something considering the scope and quality of its Great Barrier Reef.
This basalt spearhead is home to dozens of sea creatures, including huge schools of rainbow runners, violet sweep and amberjack. It’s also common to spot wahoo, sea turtles, dolphins and marlin swimming around its shear rock walls.
Many divers even get to glimpse extremely rare creatures like Spanish dancers and ballina angelfish. Without doubt, Balls Pyramid is one of Lord Howe Island’s most popular dive sites.
It’s understandable that you might be tempted to disembark from your boat to scamper around Balls Pyramid. But climbing the rock is strictly forbidden in order to protect the fragile environment. Creatures like the endangered Howe Island stick insect can only be found here so preservation is a major priority, like in the rest of the archipelago.
You need a boat to reach Balls Pyramid, and there are several charter companies which run regular trips out to the sea stack. Most of the trips are based around scuba diving excursions but it is possible to book passage on a cruise boat just to sightsee.
If you have any interest in boat cruise and natural wonders, a daytrip to Balls Pyramid should be high on your list of things to do on Lord Howe Island.