Commandants Dinner & Show Norfolk Island: Convict History Theatre

Sit through three hours of convict history and English fare, told by actors who make the penal colony come alive

The Commandants Dinner & Show is a dinner theatre experience on Norfolk Island that takes you through the island's convict history via live performance and a three-course meal. Actors tell the stories of commandants, convicts, rebellions and daily life in the remote Pacific penal settlement. The evening runs about three hours and includes the dinner, entertainment and a tour escort. Dress is smart casual and dietary requirements can be noted at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dinner theatre on Norfolk Island history

• Arrive at dinner theatre venue
• Enjoy three-course traditional English meal
• Watch live theatrical performance
• Listen to stories of Commandants and convicts
• Experience reenactment of rebellions and daily life
• Conclude evening with entertainment and dining

The experience

Norfolk Island's penal history arrives as theatre, not lecture. A cast of actors walks you through the notorious convict settlements: the commandants who ran them, the convicts they ruled, the rebellions that erupted, and how the officers' families tried to recreate England in the Pacific. The stories balance fact with entertainment, so the weight of the history lands without flattening the night into a classroom.

The three-course dinner anchors the evening. The menu is traditional English fare (hearty, wholesome, British food) designed to fit the colonial setting. You eat while the performance unfolds around you, so the meal and the storytelling move together. If you have dietary requirements, note them when you book. The kitchen can accommodate them. Dress is smart casual.

Before the show, you'll need to visit the Baunti Tours office in Burnt Pine to exchange your voucher for a ticket and collect final details. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are level. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or travel in a pram or stroller. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase during the evening.

What’s included

• Three-course dinner of traditional English food.
• live theatrical performance about Norfolk Island's convict history.
• tour escort or host for the evening.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 18:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 95 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Baunti Tours

Is this one for you?The three-hour evening fits into a single night without eating into the next day's plans, so you can combine it with daytime activities on Norfolk Island. Dress smart casual and arrive early to collect your ticket from the Baunti Tours office in Burnt Pine.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What stories does the Commandants Dinner theatre cover?

The performance focuses on Norfolk Island's convict settlements, telling the stories of commandants, convicts, rebellions and discipline, as well as how the commandants' families adapted to life in the remote Pacific colony. The actors cover both the harsh realities and the daily life of the penal settlement.

How long does the Commandants Dinner & Show run?

The evening lasts about three hours, which includes the three-course dinner and the full theatrical performance.

What kind of food is served at the dinner?

The menu features traditional English fare (hearty, wholesome British food) chosen to complement the colonial theatre setting. You can advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

What do I need to do before the show starts?

You must visit the Baunti Tours office in Burnt Pine before the performance to exchange your voucher for a ticket and receive final tour details.

Is the venue accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. All areas and surfaces are level and accessible.