RACQ QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has been nominated in the 'best accommodation or service' category of the Queensland Tourism Awards for 2022. Vote for your chance to win one of ten $250 Event Cinema gift cards! Voting closes Friday 30^th September 2022 at 5pm

OLDEST KNOWN MANTA RAY 'TAURUS' TURNS 40!

This year marks 40 years since Taurus, a melanistic manta ray, was first sighted on Lady Elliot Island! Since 1982, he has been sighted over 50 times, making him the most commonly sighted manta ray in the east coast population and one of the oldest in the world!

Taurus has only ever been seen at Lady Elliot Island, and is estimated to be on the smaller side for a mature male with a maximum 3m disc width. His distinctive spot pattern is frequently recognised by staff during tours and he has been sighted showing off below glass bottom boats and courting with females in recent weeks! 

Taurus was identified by the Project Manta Team who have been researching manta rays on Lady Elliot Island since 2007. Project Manta is a multidisciplinary research collaboration spearheaded by Dr Kathy Townsend of the University of Sunshine Coast, focusing on the population ecology and biology of manta rays within Australian waters. The group has been visiting Lady Elliot Island for many years and has identified over 1500 individual manta rays off the East Coast of Australia with approximately 80% of those sighted in the waters surrounding Lady Elliot Island.

The identification comes from photo-ids and citizen scientists who send in photos and sightings information. If you’re lucky you could name your own manta ray!

MARINE DEBRIS MILESTONE!

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has reached a milestone in our efforts to help protect the Great Barrier Reef! Over the last 10 years our guests and staff have removed 20,000 items and 578 kg of marine debris from the Island in partnership with Tangaroa Blue. Beach clean ups are a regular activity as well as education programs and competitions such as Plastic Free July and World Oceans Day.

The top five items removed included glass (8831), pieces of plastic (4236), lids and tops (1325), metal scrap (570) and plastic drink bottles (419). We encourage our guests to leave any marine litter in our marine debris bin located at the front of our education centre for us to count and report! 

The source of this debris has been determined to come from the mainland or vessels. Ocean currents and wind drive this debris to the shores of the Island. Common items found are plastic items including lids, bottles and packaging and fishing gear including ropes and nets.

YOUTUBE DOCUSERIES  'LIFE ON THE REEF'  

The "Life on the Reef" series has now officially launched on YouTube, delivering a unique insight into the scientific happenings behind the scenes on Lady Elliot Island. We have now released five mini-episodes exploring the life of manta rays, seabirds, technology and plankton.

In Episode #6 airing on the 28 September 2022 at 7pm AEST, the team from Leaf to Reef will be investigating the impacts of micro plastics on turtles and how turtles can indicate overall reef health. 

This docuseries has been in creation for 14 months and has been proudly produced by Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort and local production team @benanddi with the support of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

GARDEN UNIT RENOVATIONS

Renovations on the second block of Garden Units have just wrapped up! These newly renovated units feature an access ramp for a more accessible accommodation option, suited to guests who may need assistance walking, using stairs, or who use a wheelchair. Each of the three rooms also includes support railings in the shower and enlarged bathroom facilities for easy access. It is important to note that Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay and the majority of walkways are composed of crushed coral meaning that wheelchair access is limited. 

1. NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL  (Image Credit: @J9.travels)

A fuzzy fur seal was sighted at 7:30am on the 15th of August, frolicking on the Western side of the island! Guests and staff members sighted the seal throughout the morning and even saw it in the water during a glass bottom boat tour! 

2. PINK MANTA RAY  (Image Credit: Ben Canty)

The infamous Inspector Clouseau made an appearance on the 7th of August for our dive instructor, Ben. This unique individual has a rare colour mutation on the underside of its body which is still being researched!

3. BABY MANTA RAY  (Image Credit: Jack Ahern)

In late August, return guests the Ahern's and dive instructor Kirsty came across a baby manta ray during a scuba dive! There is even evidence of the attachment point of a yolk sac and skin fold marks from the folding of the pectoral fins inside the mother - how incredible! 

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Click the link below to read our latest blogs including the very important "Packing List" blog for those last minute bag checks! This month, we have also featured our Master Reef Guides, keep an eye out for them during your visit to the island and feel free to ask them all of your wildlife and reef questions! 

Escape to the Southern Great Barrier Reef for an immersive Day Tour from the Gold Coast or Brisbane (Redcliffe) that you won't soon forget!  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled from the second you take off as there is much to see on the flight, especially as you approach the Island. 

VALID FROM 1 APRIL 2022 - 31 MARCH 2023

Gold Coast and Brisbane (Redcliffe) Day Tour Includes: 

• Scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island 
• 5 hours to explore Lady Elliot Island
• Island orientation tour and welcome drink 
• Combined Glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel & fins) and short wetsuits (long wetsuit available on request)
• Hot & Cold buffet lunch including fresh prawns, wine, beer and soft drink
• Fish feeding in the Lagoon Fish Pool 
• Fully guided tour 
• Hotel transfers (limited areas apply) 
• Towels, sunscreen and reef walking shoes provided
• Use of day guest facilities
• BONUS $20 per adult gift shop voucher (valid until the 16th Dec 2022)

PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

** WATCH THIS SPACE for our soon to be released Day Tour special departing from the Gold Coast (Coolangatta) and Brisbane (Redcliffe)! **

Explore one of the best kept secrets of the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Bundaberg or Agnes Water/1770! Before you know it you will be experiencing the incredible underwater world of Lady Elliot Island and meeting some of our friendly reef inhabitants! 

VALID FROM 1 APRIL 2022 - 31 MARCH 2023

Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Agnes Water/1770 Day Trips Include: 

• Scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island 
• 6-7 hours to explore Lady Elliot Island 
• Island tours and activities
• Island orientation tour and welcome drink 
• Combined Glass bottom boat/guided snorkel tour
• Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel & fins) and short wetsuits included (long wetsuit available on request)
• Hot & Cold full buffet lunch
• Towels, sunscreen and reef walking shoes provided
• Use of day guest facilities
• Fish Feeding in the lagoon Fish Pool 

PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Shop our latest range of T-shirts, souvenirs, drink bottles and other items, featuring the work of local artists inspired by Lady Elliot Island. 

Our basic but comfortable 44 room eco-resort will offer you an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and explore the pristine Southern Great Barrier Reef.  

  The resort is heavily booked over the next six months with very limited availability and high demand. To secure your stay at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort we highly recommend you check our online availability calendar on our website first.  

If your intended travel dates are available on the calendar and you are ready to make a booking, we recommend to contact our reservations team via phone on 1800 072 200 to confirm the dates are still available as availability can change rapidly at this time.  

Alternatively, once you have checked the availability calendar and you would like to arrange a booking or would like a quote, please email our friendly reservations team on [email protected]

Travelling in a Seair Touring Cessna Caravan Aircraft, your group will be flown to some of the most iconic places in Queensland and Australia. Guided by your knowledgable pilot, expert commentary and local knowledge will bring Outback Australia and its rich history to life. 

Click below for more information or contact the Seair Touring reservations team via email [email protected] or call +61 7 5599 4509 to reserve your seat now!