Getting Here

Access to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is on small aircraft chartered from Seair Pacific to transport our guests to and from the Island. As Lady Elliot Island is the most remote Great Barrier Reef island regularly accessed, boat access is impractical.

Seair has been the provider of aircraft charter to the resort since 1996 and its pilots are very experienced in operating into and out of the grass airstrip which runs the entire length of the island.

Our Reservations Team will book your flights in conjunction with your accommodation, please refer to our Enquiry Page.

Lady Elliot Island is the only coral cay Island with an airstrip on the Great Barrier Reef. Our scenic flight transfers are one of the highlights of the overall guest experience and all our visitors enjoy two scenic flights providing a bird’s eye view of the reef as part of their visit to our unique Island paradise.

Lady Elliot Island is a private closed destination and permission to access the Island is only granted by the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, no other flight access is permitted.

Departure Ports & Flight Times

• Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) to Lady Elliot Island

  Departs Hervey Bay	Arrives Lady Elliot Island
  08:10am*	08:50am
  10:30am	11:10am
  01:00pm	01:40pm
  Departs Lady Elliot Island	Arrives Hervey Bay
  09:30am	10:10am
  11:30am	12:10pm
  04:00pm*	04:40pm

  *08:10am & 04:00pm flights are for day guests or one/two night stays only

  The scenic flight from Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast to Lady Elliot Island takes approximately 40 minutes. Check in at the Lady Elliot Island counter at Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast Airport, Gate 2 in the main terminal. Please view driving map/directions HERE. Please check in 30 minutes prior to departure. Your flight will be arranged in coordination with your accommodation booking.

  To reach Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast by Air: Qantas and Jetstar provide flights from Australia’s major cities to Hervey Bay Airport.

  To reach Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast – Self-Drive: Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast is just over 3 hours drive (289km) north of Brisbane, via the Bruce Highway.

  To reach Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast by Rail: Queensland Rail offers a train service between Brisbane and Maryborough. A Shuttle Bus can transfer you from Maryborough to Hervey Bay. For more information on the timetable visit Queensland Rail Travel’s website.

  To reach Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast by Bus: Greyhound Pioneer and Premier Motor Services provide a daily air-conditioned coach service between the Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay and Maryborough) and Brisbane (Airport and City Transit Centre in Roma Street).

• Bundaberg to Lady Elliot Island

  Departs Bundaberg	Arrives Lady Elliot Island
  08:40am*	09:10am
  01:30pm	02:00pm
  Departs Lady Elliot Island	Arrives Bundaberg
  11:30am	12:00pm
  04:00pm*	04:30pm

  *08:40am & 04:00pm flights are for day guests or one/two night stays only

  The scenic flight from Bundaberg to Lady Elliot Island takes approximately 30 minutes. Check in at the Lady Elliot Island/QantasLink counter at Bundaberg Airport (counter may not always be attended and the pilot will meet you shortly prior to boarding). Please view driving map/directions HERE. Please check in 30 minutes prior to departure. Your flight will be arranged in coordination with your accommodation booking.

  To get to Bundaberg by Air: Qantas and Link Airways provide daily flights from Brisbane to Bundaberg Airport.

  To reach Bundaberg – Self-Drive: Bundaberg is just over 4 hours drive (390km) north of Brisbane, via the Bruce Highway.

  To get to Bundaberg by Rail: Queensland Rail offers a Tilt train service between Brisbane and Bundaberg. For more information on the Tilt Train timetable visit Queensland Rail Travel’s website.

• Brisbane (Redcliffe) to Lady Elliot Island

  Departs Brisbane (Redcliffe)	Arrives Lady Elliot Island
  07:15am	08:45am
  Departs Lady Elliot Island	Arrives Brisbane (Redcliffe)
  02:30pm	04:00pm

  The scenic flight from Brisbane (Redcliffe) to Lady Elliot Island takes approximately 80 minutes. Redcliffe Aerodrome is approximately 40 minutes drive north of Brisbane city. The pilot will greet you directly in front of the amenities block. Please view driving map/directions HERE. Your flight will be arranged in coordination with your accommodation booking.  Transfers between Brisbane and Redcliffe can also be added if required.

  To reach Brisbane by Air: See Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Australia websites for direct flights from Sydney and Australia’s major cities to Brisbane.

• Gold Coast (Coolangatta) to Lady Elliot Island

  Departs Coolangatta	Arrives Lady Elliot Island
  06:45am	08:45am
  Departs Lady Elliot Island	Arrives Coolangatta
  02:30PM	04:30PM

  The scenic flight from the Gold Coast (Coolangatta) to Lady Elliot Island takes approximately 100 minutes. Check in at the Seair hangar at Lores Bonney Circuit in the General Aviation Area at Coolangatta Airport. Please view driving map/directions HERE. Please check in 15 minutes prior to departure. Your flight will be arranged in coordination with your accommodation booking.

  To reach the Gold Coast by Air: See Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia or Tigerair websites for direct flights from Sydney and Australia’s major cities to the Gold Coast.

  *Flight times vary depending on weather, aircraft type and possible transit stop

Important Flight Information:

• Flights are subject to change and may vary depending on weather, aircraft type and possible transit stops
• Single passengers from Brisbane (Redcliffe) will incur a surcharge of $50 each way ($100 return) – non commissionable or refundable
• *08:10, 08:40 & 16:00 flights are for day guests or one/two night stays only (subject to availability) 
• 15kg luggage limit per person (soft bags preferred, must not exceed 70cm x 40cm x 30cm)
• Excess luggage $160 return per 10kg ($16 per kg) for travel 1 April 2023 – 28 March 2024 
• Flights do not operate Christmas Day
• Please ensure you have provided reservations with a contact phone number
• If you are a sole traveller please advise an emergency contact
• Please advise if you will be travelling on any connecting flights, buses, trains etc
• Please re-confirm flight 24 hours prior to travel 1800 072 200 or 07 5536 3644
• Please check in 30 minutes prior to your departing flight (15 minutes for Redcliffe)

PASSENGER MOBILITY AND WEIGHT:

As access to Lady Elliot Island is via small aircraft only, it is important for us to be aware in advance of any passengers requiring assistance with mobility, travelling with a wheelchair or walking aid. Additionally as we use standard passenger weights for all guests on our flights, if anyone in your booking weights over 100kg please inform us of their actual weight so that we can ensure safe loading of our aircraft. 

Flight Costs

Cost of return scenic flights to Lady Elliot Island 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024 

FLIGHTS		1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024
		ADULT	CHILD
BUNDABERG		$440.00	$310.00
HERVEY BAY/FRASER COAST		$440.00	$310.00
BRISBANE (REDCLIFFE)		$865.00*	$570.00
GOLD COAST (COOLANGATTA)		$865.00	$570.00

*Sole Adult ex Redcliffe $965.00 (includes $100 single person surcharge)

Cost of return scenic flights to Lady Elliot Island 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025

FLIGHTS		1 April 2024 – 28 March 2025
		ADULT	CHILD
BUNDABERG		$465.00	$330.00
HERVEY BAY/FRASER COAST		$465.00	$330.00
BRISBANE (REDCLIFFE)		$910.00*	$599.00
GOLD COAST (COOLANGATTA)		$910.00	$599.00

*Sole Adult ex Redcliffe $1,010.00 (includes $100 single person surcharge)

 

• Exclusive Private Charter Flights

  Exclusive private charter flights are available for overnight guests to Lady Elliot from Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast or Bundaberg, prices start from:

  • Cessna Caravan $3,800 (inc GST) one way. Up to 12 passengers.
  • Twin-Otter $5,200 (inc GST) one way. Up to 15 passengers.

  Please note: The above costing is for overnight private charters (one way) and is based on aircraft hire only. Additional Island fees apply. Private charter flights from Brisbane (Redcliffe) and the Gold Coast are also available.

  For Private Day Tour charters, please contact our Reservations Team for a personalised charter quote on 07 5536 3644.

  NB: Pricing based on 2022-2023 charter rates and pricing is subject to change

Driving Maps

Maps/Directions to Airports can be downloaded below:

Directions – Bundaberg (BDB)

Directions –  Hervey Bay (HVB)

Directions – Redcliffe (RED)

Directions – Gold Coast (GC)

Directions – Agnes Water/1770

 

 

SOME THINGS WERE NEVER MEANT TO FLY

For safety reasons, certain items may need prior approval before being transported or used on the island. Other items are prohibited from being flown in the aircraft or used on the island. Please see below:

	Drones Need prior written approval before travelling due to Lady Elliot Island airstrip/aircraft operations. Batteries require dangerous goods acceptance and packaging approval before flights.	REQUIRES APPROVAL GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Corrosives e.g., Wet cell, Lithium and Lipo batteries, acids & alkaline substances.	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Compressed Gases e.g., Poisonous & flammable gases such as butane, refrigerants	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Flammable Liquids or Solids  e.g., paints, lighter or heating fluid, matches, articles easily ignited	PROHIBITED FLIGHT RISK
	Poisons or Toxic Substances e.g. insecticides, weed killers	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Explosives, Fireworks or Flares	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Weapons e.g. firearms, knives, blades, sharp items	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) In-water risk to user and other snorkelers/divers. Batteries requiring Dangerous Goods Acceptance and Packaging before flights.	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK
	Full Face Snorkelling Masks In-water risk to user. Not permitted on Lady Elliot Island guided activities. Requires discussion with Lady Elliot Island staff prior to use.	REQUIRES APPROVAL GENERAL RISK
	SNUBAH / Hookah Dive Systems In-water risk to user.  Batteries requiring Dangerous Goods Acceptance and Packaging before flights.	PROHIBITED GENERAL AND FLIGHT RISK