Aerial view of Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island
Fascinating and affordable coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef.
Located 85 km north-east of Bundaberg, Lady Elliot is a small (40 hectares - it can be walked around in about 45 minutes) coral cay at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. In fact it is the southern most inhabited island on the reef and the only coral cay to have a proper airport.

Although both Captain Cook in 1770 and Matthew Flinders in 1802 had traversed the 2000 km length of the Great Barrier Reef it wasn't until 1816 that Captain Thomas Stewart, sailing the 353 tonne 'Lady Elliot' (it had been built in Bengal and named after the wife of Hugh Elliot, the colonial governor of India), sighted and named the island. The sighting was confirmed by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King who sailed past the island in 1819.

In 1843 the H.M.S. Fly, captained by F.P. Blackwood, anchored off the island. The crew killed some thirty turtles and the ship's naturalist noted 'The island was well stocked with birds, of which black noddies and shearwaters were the most abundant; the next in number being terns, gulls, white herons and egrets, oyster catchers and curlews.

Over centuries the droppings from these birds had covered the island with 'guano' (an excellent source of fertiliser) to a depth of more than two metres. Thus, in 1863, a Mr. J. Askunas applied for, and was granted, a 5 year mining lease over the entire island. It was extended to 10 years and by 1873 the island had been stripped of all its guano and most of its vegetation.

The historic lighthouse

In 1873, because of the island's dangerous location, a lighthouse and a lighthouse keeper's cottage were built. The lighthouse continued to operate until it was automated in 1980. It still stands on the beach to the west of the airstrip.

The final major change to the island occurred in 1969 when Don Adams, a mixture of businessman and conservationist, built an airstrip on the island. At the same time he killed all the island's feral goats and began an active revegetation program. For the next 15 years visitors came to the island but it wasn't until 1985 that a lease for a low-key resort resulted in the establishment of the islands resort. Today the island offers a legitimate 'reef' experience with both resort residents and daytrippers being offered high class snorkelling, scuba diving, reef walking and swimming.

Things to see:  

Vital Information About the Island
1. The Island Itself
Location
85 km north-east of Bundaberg

Description of the island
Small coral cay (40 hectares) with coral beaches and extensive reefs around every side of the island.

How do visitors access it?
Whitaker Air offer a daily service from Hervey Bay and Bundaberg

Walking across the reef to go scuba diving

Activities on the island
Snorkelling, scuba diving, turtle and whale watching, reef walking, historical tour

Reef Walking
The resort provides suitable footwear and the reef at low tide is easily accessible from any of the island's beaches. The near shore waters are rich with clams, sea cucumbers, starfish and numerous varieties of coral.

Diving and snorkelling
Snorkelling on the reef around the island is only possible in mid to high tide. The lee side of the island offers the best snorkelling with a high likelihood of seeing manta rays (they are harmless), turtles, giant clams and parrot fish. Beware: with a high tidal range the reef is susceptible to strong currents.

Birdwatching
The island is home to crested terns, black-napped terns, brown boobies, black noddies, buff-banded rails, reef egrets, oyster-catchers, plovers, godwits and the ubiquitous gulls. They nest on the island and are a source of fascination to birdwatchers.

Other Animals
Whales are common in winter and early spring and turtles use the island to nest from late October to Mid-February.

2. Resorts on the Island
History
Lady Elliot Island Resort was established 1984 when a series of prefabricated buildings were brought to the island. They still provide comfortable, basic accommodation.

How big is it?
Capacity 120 (plus daytrippers) - 49 units and suites, tents and lodges

Who does it appeal to?
People who enjoy diving, birdwatching and the simple pleasures of a small coral cay.

Free activities
All non-motorised sports plus range of walks

Other activities
Organised snorkelling and scuba dives, glass bottom boat

Eating at the resort
Pay for lunch - Dinner and breakfast supplied. The food is basic but quite good quality.

	Resorts
	Lady Elliot Island Resort P.O. Box 206 Torquay Lady Elliot Island QLD 4655 Telephone: (07) 4125 5344, 1800 072 200 Facsimile: (07) 4125 5778 Rating: ***