CELEBRATING 150 YEARS!

This year we will be celebrating 150 years since the construction of the Heritage Listed Lighthouse here on Lady Eliot Island! 

Built in 1873 and standing at 17 meters tall, the white and red lighthouse was pre-made in England and shipped to the Island in pieces. It was the first lighthouse in Australia with a timber frame and weatherproof cast iron external cladding. 

As a prototype, this lighthouse acted as a precursor for many other light stations along the East Coast of Australia and provided safety and navigational aid for ships on the Great Barrier Reef. 

The Historic Lighthouse Precinct represents an important stage in the establishment of navigational aids along the Queensland coast and the history of lighthouse technology.

Our Team is searching for historical files and photographs from the Lighthouse Era. If you have any to share, we would love to see them! Please email [email protected]

Image Credit: Jeremy Somerville

NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is a national finalist in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards for Ecotourism! All nominees have reached the status of excellence in tourism and business, and the awards ceremony will be a night of reflection, triumph and solidarity taking place on the 17th of March in Sydney. Goodluck to all the finalists on the evening! 

NATIONAL BANKSIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS FINALIST

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has been recognized as a finalist in National Banksia Sustainability Awards for Biodiversity. The National Banksia Sustainability Awards are Australia’s longest running and most prestigious sustainability awards recgonising leadership in biodiversity, climate change, and First Nations people, reinforcing the diversity of sustainability with over 15 categories.

This year we have entered into the 'Biodiversity' category which recognises outstanding initiatives by an organisation or organisations in collaboration that work to conserve, protect, and restore our habitat, flora, and/or fauna to ensure Australia’s ecosystems are secured and flourish for future generations.

Through a thriving public-private-community partnership funded through the Great Barrier Reef Foundations Reef Islands Initiative, Lady Elliot Island is working toward four main goals:

Increasing the resilience of the Island to the adverse impact of climate change;
Enhancing the native cay vegetation communities;
Maximising the breeding opportunities for important fauna;
Reducing the impacts of previously introduced species.

The Lady Elliot Island Revegetation Program was the first of its kind applicable to the niche of tropical reef islands, ultimately becoming an example for other islands locally and overseas. Lady Elliot Island aims to restore the natural coral cay ecosystem, creating an ark for both terrestrial and marine flora and fauna on the Great Barrier Reef. The awards ceremony will be held in March this year. Goodluck to all the finalists! 

HATCHLING HAPPINESS

Image Credit: Emma Norgren; Jeremy Somerville; Ben&Di

Did you know? At the end of the turtle nesting season (Nov-Feb) thousands of baby turtles push through their sand nest on their way to the sea! This wonder of nature occurs only metres from the resort beach front balconies and can be observed at close quarters by all. 

As we enter Turtle Hatching season (Feb-April) we have begun to see turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and making a run for the ocean for the last few weeks, much to the delight of our guests and staff! The 2022-2023 season commenced a little later than in previous years but fluctuations in the nesting cycle are to be expected.

As of mid-February, the island team had recorded 85 confirmed nests, 140 unconfirmed nests (where the turtle has clearly nested but was not confirmed with a direct sighting) and 12 confirmed nests of emerged hatchlings including 300 green turtle hatchlings and 50 loggerhead hatchlings. 

If you are visiting us in the next few months, please be sure to attend our daily Turtle Update presentation inside the Education Centre for an important briefing prior to exploring the beach at night. 

The Bundaberg Region has become the second destination in Queensland, and the fifth in Australia to announce ECO Destination Certification from Ecotourism Australia. Bundaberg Regional Council in partnership with Bundaberg Tourism and key local, state and national stakeholders have been working towards this certification since 2019. Did you know that you can access Lady Elliot Island with flights from Bundaberg Airport. For more information on 'Getting to Lady Elliot Island' please visit our website. 

UPCOMING COMPETITION! 

Keep a close eye on our socials for an exciting opportunity to name our newest vessel! Our fleet is expanding with another purpose-built boat almost ready to call Lady Elliot Island home!

But what will its name be? 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 

This year on International Women's Day, Island custodian Amy Gash will be speaking at the Destination Gold Coast International Women's Day Luncheon. The event celebrates the extraordinary contribution of women in tourism and other key industry sectors as they Embrace Equity for International Women’s Day on the Gold Coast. The luncheon will feature a rare opportunity to hear from some of the nation’s most inspirational leaders including, Newly appointed Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer, Cindy Hook, Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan, 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year and Disability Advocate, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM and 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards Young Achiever and Custodian of Lady Elliot Island, Amy Gash

Looking to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or to pop the question? Immerse yourself in the beach surrounds and soak up your time on the Southern Great Barrier Reef with a Beach Picnic! Sit beneath the canopy of a beach umbrella and enjoy a charcuterie board plus a bottle of house sparkling. Starting from $270 for two adults. Price subject to change. Bookings essential with Reservations prior to arrival.

Lady Elliot Island can provide a variety of unique locations to celebrate your special occasion. We offer a casual relaxed atmosphere where nothing is overlooked but the Great Barrier Reef! The ‘3-course Private Dinner by the Sea’ is set on the Western side of the Island at the Islands Heritage Listed Boatshed. With uninterrupted ocean views the Private Dinner experience includes a private chef, waitperson and buggy transfers from the Resort. The Private Dinners have been known as a very special setting for many engagements that have taken place on the island! Starting from $480.00 for two adults. Price subject to change. Bookings essential with Reservations prior to arrival.

Each afternoon we host sunset at the Lighthouse quayway.  Grab a chair or sun lounge along with a table and take in the beautiful afternoon sights while sipping on your favourite drink! Be sure to order drinks from the bar before 4pm and it can be brought down and reserved for you!

For an extra touch with this experience, pre-purchase a ‘Sunset Platter’ from the Bar and have it delivered directly to you at the Lighthouse. Sunset platters are a mix of charcuterie, teamed with a bottle of champagne this makes for a perfect afternoon!

“Sunset drinks is a daily fixture on the island and it’s one of my most treasured moments of the day” – Amy Gash, Island Custodian

Sunset Platter and House Sparkling Wine starting from $71.00. Price subject to change. Pre-book with Lady Elliot Island Reservations or on-island at the Bar.

Please contact our reservations team on 1800 072 200 or +61 7 5536 3644 for further information or to book.

History and Romance are the focus of our latest blog instalments. Click the link below to explore a brief history of Lady Elliot Island or see how to do a romantic getaway on this coral cay paradise! 

Image Credit: Don Adams and Ben and Di 

The Day Tour departing from the Gold Coast (Coolangatta) and Brisbane (Redcliffe) is on special with a saving of up to $300 per adult!

This offer is only available for travel between the 1 February - 31 March 2023. 

Experience the pristine beauty of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy low level flying up the east coast of Australia taking in aerial views of the Gold Coast skyline, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island (K’gari) and landing on the only coral cay Island with an airstrip! Spending 5 hours exploring the natural environment of Lady Elliot Island, you’ll snorkel with friendly turtles and an array of amazing marine life. Sit back and enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch with a complimentary sparkling wine or beer whilst overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. Feel free to join in on one of the many educational activities available and learn how the fully self-sufficient resort operates on renewable energy technologies!

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 twelve 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!