Products / Accommodation / Australia / Lady Elliot Island

The first island on the Great Barrier Reef

Lady Elliot Island is a Coral Cay of 42 Hectares (100 acres) in area with a low key 49 room resort. The island has its own airstrip which is located on the eastern side and serviced daily by Whitaker Air Charter.

Lady Elliot Island Resort is a low key, relaxed and environmentally oriented resort with important turtle and bird rookeries. It also boasts a reef education centre - a close up on nature. The resort has no phones - no TV - no radio - no hassles. A relaxing laid back atmosphere in tune with nature and the sea.

Dive Region

The island is located at the very southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef.

Click here for general information about the diving regions of the southern Great Barrier Reef.

How to get there

Situated 400 kms north of Brisbane and 80 kms north-east of Bundaberg, Lady Elliot Island is the Southern most Coral Cay of the Capricorn Bunker Group of the Great Barrier Reef. It has a small airstrip which is serviced by daily flights from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay or Gladstone. Bundaberg or Gladstone can be reached from Brisbane by regular daily flights with Qantas or the fast train from Brisbane. Hervey Bay has direct flights on Virgin and Jetstar from Sydney.

Property Features

• There is a Bistro and Pool Side Bar where lunch, cold drinks, tea/coffee and snacks can be purchased.
• The Resort Souvenir Gift Shop has a limited range of pharmacist lines as well as a range of resort souvenir items, clothing, beach towel, magazines and newspapers.
• No TV's, radios or phones in the rooms.
• No EFTPOS facilities on the Island.
• Wall mounted or overhead fans but no air-conditioning.
• Fresh towels are supplied daily.
• There are no keys but doors can be locked from the inside and a safe facility is available at reception.
• The resort has a limited First-Aid facility and basic First-Aid supplies.
• Reception hours are from 8.00am till 5.00pm

Lady Elliot has three types of accommodation available. All rooms are fan cooled and air-conditioned and there are no televisions, radios or telephones to remind you of the life you've left behind. With the environment in mind, all linen is supplied and changed every third day. Fresh towels are available daily.

• Tent Cabins: permanent safari-style tents offer all the comforts of home with four bunk beds, polished timber floors, full power and lighting. Communal bathrooms are located no more than 30 metres away.
• Reef Rooms: Most Reef Rooms are furnished with a double bed and two bunk beds, making them ideal for families. Facilities include tea/coffee making facilities, verandah and private bathroom.
• Island Suites: One and Two Bedroom Beachfront accommodation. These spacious units accommodate up to six people with separate bedroom and lounge areas. Facilities include tea/coffee making facilities, mini-fridge and private bathroom.
  

Dive Services

The Dive Shop is a PADI Resort association member and has a comprehensive stock of hire equipment available. Scuba diving is conducted daily and all dives are escorted by Lady Elliot staff. Both shore and boat dives are possible on the island. Discover SCUBA Dive (DSD) and open water courses are conducted regularly.

Note: All water based activities are subject to weather conditions.

Dive Sites

THE BLOW HOLE - DEPTH 25M This popular site is on the eastern side of the island. It has two entrances. One on the top of the reef at 14-16 metres, just a short distance from the mooring. The main entrance however is on the reef wall and is a large opening at 20-25 metres. The main cavern is around 20 metres in length. This is a superb dive site with Lion Fish, Manta Shrimp, Wobbegongs and the unique Gnome Fish seen in the area.

LIGHTHOUSE BOMMIE - DEPTH 14-15M Lighthouse Bommie is a set of coral heads approximately 100 metres off shore and is conducted as either a Boat or Shore dive. A rope trail has been laid from an easy shore entry to the bommies. It is a favourite haunt all year round for Manta Rays; some four metres from tip to tip. The site also plays host to a variety of marine life such as Moray Eels, Bull Rays, Schooling Barracuda, Coral Trout, Small White Tip Reef Sharks and others too numerous to mention.

THREE PYRAMIDS - DEPTH 18M The Three Pyramids is a short boat ride from the western side of the island. An easy descent can be made down a permanent mooring and puts the diver almost on top of the first of three large coral heads (bommies). At this site you will find schools of Cardinals, Anemone Fish, Turtles and Eagle Rays. The Three Pyramids is a great starting point for a drift dive to the Anchor Bommies or the Outer Scatters depending on the direction of the current.

ANCHOR BOMMIES - DEPTH 21M This site is one of Lady Elliot Island's premium dive locations. Two ancient Admiralty anchors lie at the bottom of the site. Marine life that can be seen here include Manta Rays, Purple Leafy Scorpion Fish, Cleaner Shrimp and a large Shoveled Nosed Ray. This bommie is covered with both soft and hard corals.

CORAL GARDENS - DEPTH 12M This is an extremely good night dive site. All types of marine life can be observed as they slumber, while night dwellers such as the Painted Cray can be found out of their day time hiding place.

Rates for 2010/11 Overnight Accommodation

(Please note: Diving can only be booked directly at the island's dive shop)