Mr & Mrs Smith

Breakfast and dinner are all-inclusive at Capella, but for a snack or lunch call in at Humpy Micks Café (+61 (0)2 6563 2289), which is open from breakfast through to dinner. Pinetrees (+61 (0)2 6563 2177), on Lagoon Road, is ringed by a veranda and offers a canvas-covered dining area – perfect for eating under the stars. The fish-fry buffet dinner is a weekly highlight.

For a snack or lunch out call in at Palmsugar (+61 (0)2 6563 2120) on Skyline Drive for coffee and delicious, fresh-baked cakes, served on a leafy deck. It’s open from 2pm, but closed Sundays. 

Lord Howe Island, with its sheltered lagoon, 11 beautiful beaches and dramatic offshore sea stack, is a dream spot for all things aquatic: swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking or glass-bottom boat trips to ogle the stunning coral and fish below the waves. To experience the amazing marine wildlife, hand-feed king fish at Neds Beach or go bird-spotting (the island is one of Australia's top sites for spying sea birds and other rare feathered friends). Walking, from mellow strolls to more challenging hikes, is also ridiculously scenic here given the tropical setting and perfectly formed mountains, or snaffle one of Capella's free guest bikes and tour on two wheels. There are also tennis courts nearby (ask the hotel for directions).

January The height of summer sees lots of sea bird activity, with many species either laying or hatching their eggs. Many island’s flowers are also in full bloom. February Colourful coral spawning adds to the underwater thrills. March Witness squillions of providence petrels arriving for their winter breeding season. They wander around the island as though drunk, toppling over and allowing humans to pick them up. October Catch the finish of the Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race (www.gosfordsailingclub.com.au), and the red-railed tropicbird doing its bizarre breeding dance.