Every Day at Pinetrees

Imagine a day without mobile phones, WiFi and TV. Instead of 'cocooning' in their rooms or staring at a device, guests start to talk to each other. Add a few drinks, a spectacular sunset, and an adventurous day, and often for the first time in years, people make friends.

A typical day at Pinetrees starts with a swim in the lagoon and a hot shower in the boatshed before breakfast. Others watch the sunrise, photograph rare birds, walk along Blinky Beach or teach their kids how to ride a bike.

At breakfast, Pinetrees staff will help you make plans for the day. Depending on the weather forecast, wind direction and your general level of enthusiasm, our staff can suggest where to go and what to do. If you plan to go out for the day, then we'll arrange for a BBQ hamper to be delivered to one of the many idyllic spots on the island. We'll even pack beer, wine or champagne if you'd prefer a lazy lunch.

Mornings are a great time to discover our world-class snorkelling, fishing, diving, surfing and walking. There are user-friendly or challenging options, depending on your experience. Some guests make big plans, but never get past our local cafe. They serve great coffee, fresh cakes and muffins, and their sourdough bread is top class.

As you ride your bike back to Pinetrees for lunch, everyone waves to you - locals in cars, tourists on bikes and women pushing prams. You wonder if there's something wrong. It turns out that Lord Howe is a friendly place where it's cultural practice to wave to people, even if you see them five times a day. By the end of your trip, it will be second nature. You may even wave to random people on the mainland when you get home, but it won't last long.

Lunch is simple and light – some chef specials with fine salads and homemade soy and linseed bread. The Pinetrees verandah is a beautiful place for a meal. It's cool, breezy and surrounded by green lawn and kentia palm forest.

Later in the day, we serve afternoon tea and guests eat mango, lime and coconut cakes and compare stories about the adventures of the day. A few guests opt for an early happy hour, while some others retire for a siesta.

By 6.30pm the Pinetrees boatshed deck is the place to be. Our honesty bar fridge stocks beer, wine and champagne and all you need to do is write your name on the sheet of paper. There aren't many honesty systems left in Australia, even the famous fruit stands in the Byron Bay hinterland have disappeared, but the Pinetrees boatshed fridge continues. With your drink of choice, a friendly invitation to join whoever's sitting there already, and a beautiful sunset brewing, you'll find yourself talking to anyone and everyone. It's that kind of place.

With the sound of the dinner chimes, guests will wander back to the Pinetrees verandah for dinner. It will have been transformed from the relaxed table settings at lunch to something a little more refined, with crisp white table cloths, polished cutlery and soft lighting. Your entree is a chicken broth with creamed corn and seared scallops. You've got a half bottle of chilled Pikes Riesling left from the night before that we've returned to your table. It's a perfect match for the soup. For your main course, you choose the crispy skin duck leg braised in masterstock with Asian greens, wild mushrooms and Hoisin glaze. The duck goes well with a bottle of Stonier Pinot Noir. For dessert, you choose the almond and cherry tart with pomegranate sabayon. You'll probably hear guests talking about how much they love not having to shop or cook or clean up, and how amazed they are by the quality of the food. We know, because we hear the same comments every day.

Finally, you wonder why people are mingling in the lounge and soon discover that there's a plate of quality Tasmanian and South Australian cheese with all the trimmings. There's also tea, coffee and some comfortable couches. You can chat until midnight if you choose, but you'll most likely be in bed by 10pm preparing for tomorrow.