The Most Comprehensive Field Guide of Lady Elliot Island

The Most Comprehensive Field Guide of Lady Elliot Island Released

On International Day of Biological Diversity, this Friday 22nd May, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and research group Leaf to Reef come together to launch A Field Guide to the Vertebrates of Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef. The most comprehensive field guide to exist for Lady Elliot Island with 800 vertebrate species documented and recorded.

More than six years in the making, this groundbreaking guidebook with full colour images is designed to help users identify wildlife and captures a living snapshot of the island’s unique and ever-changing biodiversity. Featuring 800 species across birds, sharks, rays, fishes, mammals, and reptiles, the book combines expert scientific research with the passion and dedication of citizen scientists and the island team.

Through stunning full-colour imagery, readers are transported into the heart of this coral cay.

Developed as part of the University of the Sunshine Coast led Leaf to Reef research initiative and supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative and Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, the guide is more than a catalogue of species — it is a critical benchmark for understanding ecological change. This work documents new records for Australian waters and even species new to science.

Special “creature features” bring the island’s most iconic residents into focus, from the elegant red-tailed tropicbird to the newly described species, the Lady Elliot shrimpgoby, offering readers a deeper connection to the reef’s intricate web of life.

“This guide really is the fingerprint of Lady Elliot Island. It’s the makeup of all the vertebrate species of the island in one beautiful field guide. Not only does it reflect the richness of life here, it is also a testament to the incredible dedication of the Leaf to Reef research team and the citizen scientists that have contributed to these findings over six years,” said Amy Gash, Custodian of Lady Elliot Island.

Field Guide co-author and marine scientist Dr Christine Dudgeon describes it as “likely the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide for the southern Great Barrier Reef, particularly for the fishes.”

“Islands like Lady Elliot are becoming increasingly important places for wildlife as our climate changes, and this guide reveals just how much there is still to discover, from species newly recorded on the island to those entirely new to science,” said Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden. “It’s a powerful reminder that healthy islands are fundamental to the resilience of coral reefs.”

Whether you are a seasoned naturalist, a passionate diver, or a first-time visitor, this essential companion offers a deeper understanding of one of the world’s natural wonders and a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting it.

The official launch will take place on 22 May 2026, aligning with the International Day of Biological Diversity.

Available now:
https://ladyelliot.com.au/sustainability/leaf-to-reef/#field-guide

This work is part of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative, which brings together partners to protect and restore critical reef island ecosystems. The Initiative is supported by funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.

For further information please contact: Stacey Cain | stacey@ladyelliot.com.au | +61 7 5536 3644

Media release accompanying Images and Footage
Learn more about the resort’s eco initiatives in the Media Centre