Local Destinations
		Queensland • Great Barrier Reef • Heron Island • Lady Elliot Island • Liveaboards
	Hotels and Resorts
		Lady Elliot Island Resort
	Activities on Lady Elliot
	Map
	Diving on Lady Elliot
	Location Travel Tips

One of the top dive and snorkelling sites in the world, Lady Elliot Island is the southern most coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Step off the beach and snorkel, swim or scuba dive in the world's richest marine eco-system. A true island paradise, Lady Elliot Island is a popular destination for families and leisure groups keen to explore this rich marine eco-system

Lady Elliot Island lies 80 kilometres north east of Bundaberg, and is easily accessible by daily flights that land at the island’s own airstrip. A limited number of guests are allowed on the island at any one time.

The moment you step onto the island, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. Formed over 3000 years this beautiful coral cay is home to 57 species of birds, nesting sea turtles and a stunning underwater world of coral formations and diverse marine life.

On Lady Elliot Island, you set the pace. You can bury your nose in a good book on a stretch of deserted beach, go diving with one of our qualified dive instructors, or explore the island and visit the main landmark, the Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse, one of the first built in Australia using a timber framed substructure and cast iron external cladding.

How to get to Lady Elliot Island

The main gateway to Lady Elliot Island is from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg. Seair offers exclusive flights to Lady Elliot three times daily from these departure points. The flight takes approximately 40 minutes from Hervey Bay and 30 minutes from Bundaberg.

To reach Hervey Bay by Air
Jetstar or Virgin Blue operate flights direct from Sydney and Australia's major cities to Hervey Bay. Qantaslink also operate daily flights.
To reach Hervey Bay - Self-Drive:
Hervey Bay is just over 3 hours drive (289km) north of Brisbane, via the Bruce Highway.
To reach Hervey Bay by Rail:
Queensland Rail offers a service between Brisbane and Maryborough. A Shuttle Bus can transfer you from Maryborough to Hervey Bay Airport.

To get to Bundaberg By Air
Qantaslink operate daily flights connecting Bundaberg to Brisbane.
To get to Bundaberg By Rail
Queensland Rail offer a service between Brisbane and Bundaberg.

Lady Elliot Island can also be reached by flight from Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast) approx 60 minutes, Brisbane (Redcliffe) approx 70 minutes and Coolangatta (Gold Coast) approx 105 minutes on a request basis.

Scenic Return Flights

Lady Elliot Island offers a great diversity of uncrowded, easily accessible dive locations to experience the biggest coral reef system in the world.

At Lady Elliot Island, dive staff personally escort all dives. Two dives are scheduled per day with optional night dives also available. The best part is that divers of all abilities are catered for.

Here is a taste of what you will find diving Lady Elliot Island, on the Great Barrier Reef:

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 decent 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 Shovelled 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.

ENCOUNTERS - DEPTH 6-14M: This is an amazing coral dive with large plate and staghorn sections, and explosive fish action. A fantastic drift dive for late in the afternoon. At times a large number of Manta Rays can be seen in this area. It is also populated with schools of Rabbit fish, Red throat and Spangled Emperor. It is also not uncommon to be accompanied on this dive by a pair of sizeable Blue Angelfish or Moorish Idols.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

The island offers five unique styles of accommodation - all exhibits a casual atmosphere - free of the usual distractions of working life - no TVs, radios or telephones.

OVERNIGHT RATE INCLUDES:
- Full buffet Dinner and Breakfast
- Use of Snorkel Equipment
- Guided Reef walk (on low tide)

- Guided Bird Tour (in season)
- Guided Turtle Spotting Tour (in season)
- Bonus: Combine glass bottom tour/boat
  snorkel (one per stay)
- Environmental Management Charge

FREE night offer – Stay 5 nights pay 4 (1 night FREE)  Stay 7 nights pay 5 (2 nights FREE)
**Free nights not valid in peak season **
Peak Seasons – 16/12/09 to 29/01/10 or 10/04/09 to 19/04/10 or 02/04/10 to 18/04/10 or 16/12/10 to 29/01/11

Dive options available & can be booked & purchased on Lady Elliot
Shore Dive - $35 per dive, Boat Dive - $50 per dive, Night Dive - $75
Dive Package – Purchase 4 dives, get the 5th dive free $200
Includes tanks, weights and dive guide services.  Scuba gear rental is additional.

Conditions: Minimum three night stay between 20th December and 5th January.  All activities are subject to prevailing weather and tides. Cancellation conditions apply

ISLAND SUITES / 2 Bedroom
These spacious suites with absolute beach frontage accommodate up to 4 people. The main bedroom (queen bed) has lagoon views while the second bedroom (two single beds) has island views.

Amenities:
The kitchenette consists of a bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and basin. A spacious bathroom includes a shower, hairdryer and double 240V shaver plug point.

Per person per night ($Aus)

REEF UNITS
Arranged in blocks of three, some of these units have just a queen bed but most are furnished with a queen and a bunk bed comprising two singles, making them ideal for families. Polished timber floors, wardrobe space and a ceiling fan are available in every Reef Unit.
The majority of reef Units are less than 10 metres from Sunrise beach.
Each unit has its own large balcony with patio furniture arranged so that you can make the most of the views.

Amenities:

Tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar fridge are provided, and each unit has several 240V power points. The ensuite roomy bathroom has a shower, toilet and basin.

Per person per night ($Aus)

GARDEN UNITS

Arranged in blocks of three these units are furnished with a queen and a bunk bed comprising two singles, making them ideal for families. Polished timber floors, wardrobe space and a ceiling fan are available in every Garden Unit. Situated to give you ideal garden views, each unit has its own large balcony with patio furniture arranged so that you can make the most of the views.

Amenities

Tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar fridge are provided, and each unit has several 240V power points. The ensuite roomy bathroom has shower, toilet and basin.

Per person per night ($Aus)

ECO HUTS
The Eco Huts are roomy permanent safari-style tents with polished wooden floors. Each hut caters to four people with two sets of double bunk single beds in each. The huts are constructed with canvas ceiling and walls with a flysheet over the top for added shading and temperature control. All windows have fly screens and zip up canvas portions for privacy. All Eco Huts are located within 20 to 30 metres of Sunrise Beach and have a small entry patio furnished with chair and table.

Amenities:
Electric lighting and power points are available in every cabin as well as a free standing fan.

Communal coffee and tea facilities are available as well as toilets, showers, washing machines, dryers and ironing needs. Lockers are available on the island for valuables that you may want to secure.
Per person per night ($Aus)

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Lady Elliot Island facilities include:

• Beachfront Lagoon Bar
• Beachfront Dining Room
• Beachfront Cafe Bistro
• Resort Shop
• PADI Resort Dive Shop
• Salt Water Pool
• Beach Volley Ball Court
• Children's playground
• Conference Room (seating for 50)
• Hot/Cold Showers and Change Room for day guests
• Laundry and lockers
• Reef Education Centre featuring information boards, interactive display, informative videos

Things to do on the island:

1. Reef Walking:
At low tide, you can venture all the way to the reef edge. You'll see a multitude of marine life as an experienced guide introduces you to the reef eco-system.

2. Nature Walks:
Guided walks around the island introduce you to natural wonders of the beach and lagoon, the bird rookery, the lighthouse and the historical artefacts left behind by the guano miners.

3. Fish Feeding:
A multitude of reef fish appear at the "fish pool" everyday and our activities officer will show you how to hand feed them.

4. Slide Shows & Evening Lectures:
Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and Lady Elliot Island during our evening presentations in the Reef Education Centre.

*Turtle Nesting - November to February
Every year, green and loggerhead turtles return to the island to start a new life cycle. At sunset, they clamber up the beach around the Resort to dig deep pits where they lay between 80 and 180 eggs.

*Turtle Hatching - February to April
At the end of the nesting season, we watch again as hundreds of baby turtles make their way to the water.

*Whale Migration - June to October
The great humpback whales make their annual migration from the Antarctic to the warm waters off the central Queensland coast. You can go out on a boat or just sit and watch the passing parade from the beach or reef edge.

*Bird Nesting - October to April
The island is a breeding and nesting ground for many species of tropical seabirds and wading birds.

All Year Round
Our star attractions visit all year round: The manta rays, the turtles, the resident seabirds, the huge variety of tropical fish, the anemones, the starfish, the clams and the moray eels