Lord Howe Island is a subtropical island found 500 km off the coast of New South Wales. Lord Howe and the jagged pinnacle, Ball's Pyramid nearby, are remnants from a huge and ancient volcano. Crystal coral reefs, bordered with sandy beaches and crystal blue waters surrounded the island. Thriving rainforests, Kentia Palms, banyan trees, pandanus, and soaring forest-clad mountains cover about two-thirds of the island. In 1982 Lord Howe Island was World Heritage listed because of its rare flora and fauna and its extraordinary natural beauty.