WELCOME TO LADY ELLIOT ISLAND

Welcome To Lady Elliot Island

Stay and play on a coral cay nestled on the southern tip of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, and experience one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World from land, sea and sky with a visit to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort!

Known as the ‘home of the manta ray’, this multi-award winning, fully self-sufficient eco resort is a very worthy addition to the top of your bucket list! Where else can you step out of bed and step into a pristine aquatic playground teaming with majestic marine life on the largest coral reef system in the world?

With a range of room types and special packages to choose from, this island resort offers the perfect reef retreat to accommodate your needs. Or for those short on time but eager for an unforgettable reef encounter, we also offer day trip options from destinations to suit your itinerary, such as the Gold Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe), Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast and Bundaberg.

As you prepare to board your flight, you’ll feel the flutter of excitement as anticipation of your impending adventure builds. Soaring through the sky you’ll start to sense an exhilarating feeling of growing freedom – freedom to breathe, to play, to explore and to discover. As you step off the plane to a warm welcome from our team, you’ll know you’ve arrived in paradise. This exquisitely unique island resort is the perfect setting for exploration, rejuvenation, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Lady Elliot Island lies within the Great Barrier Reef Sea Country of the Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Byellee and Taribelang Bunda Traditional Owner groups. We respectfully acknowledge the continuing sea country management and custodianship of the Great Barrier Reef by Traditional Owners.

Stay and Play On A Coral Cay

Remote and unspoilt, Lady Elliot Island is the kind of place that beckons you to escape the everyday, explore a spectacular underwater wonderland, and immerse your senses in the splendour of nature.

Family-friendly and fuss-free, this award-winning, eco-accredited resort creates an exceptional reef experience that’s sure to leave you in awe. Imagine escaping the busyness of life and retreating to a breathtaking island paradise perched amidst a highly protected Green Zone of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

As you step off the flight, you sense the warm embrace of the island’s relaxed ambience. Soon time seems to slow to the gentle pace of the turning tides, and worries are washed away in an ocean of natural tranquillity. Here you’ll find freedom to embrace a ‘digital detox’ – to disconnect from the stresses and pressures of daily life and to truly tune in to the magic of Mother Nature.

Endless days of sunshine are spent snorkelling, diving, or exploring the island and surrounding reef at your leisure, in the company of incredible marine life. And as the sun slowly sinks into the sea, a fine bottle of wine or the refreshing fruity flavours of a tropical cocktail serve as a sweet accompaniment to recounting the days adventures with loved ones. As the moon rises high, dancing with shimmering light on the water’s surface, you’ll retire to a cocoon of comfort in your chosen accommodation, soothed to sleep by the whispered lullaby of the ocean. Tomorrow the serenade of birdsong will wake you from your sweet slumber and beckon you out for another day of magical discoveries.

Accommodation, Day Trips and Packages

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort offers a range of comfortable accommodation and day trip options to suit your preferences. Each Unit, Tent and Cabin is designed to minimise impact on the Island while enriching the overall guest experience. In keeping with the natural, eco-friendly practices there are no telephones, televisions, radios or wi-fi available in the rooms. Limited wi-fi is available in the restaurant.

Our Eco Cabins are stand-alone structures with solid walls and a canvas roof. Three steps lead up to the large veranda and sliding glass door which open to a single room, with bunk beds, a small cupboard and a sitting chair. Shared bathroom facilities are a short walk away.

Our Garden and Reef Units are equipped with a queen bed or set of bunk beds, mini-fridge and tea and coffee-making facilities. These rooms are cooled by fans and refreshing sea breezes, and feature an adjoining ensuite. Garden Units impart a soothing sense of tranquillity, with stunning images of local birdlife, and deep green accents reflecting their leafy surrounds. Three of these units have been designed as accessible rooms to cater to the specialised needs of wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility. For further information please refer to the ‘Accessibility’ section of this audio guide.

The furnishings of Reef Units embody the spirit of the ocean, awash with blue hues and adorned with images of resident green turtles.

Our unique Glamping Tents are located at the furthest end of the resort and are reserved for adults only. They have canvas style walls and roof, with large zip windows for additional airflow. The main bedroom features a queen bed with large overhead mirror, mini-fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and two small sitting chairs. They feature an ensuite bathroom, outdoor shower and air-conditioning powered by renewable energy. Sliding glass doors open to a large veranda where you can sit and soak in the serenity, with nesting birds and sea turtles (in season) right at your feet.

Our well appointed two-bedroom Beachfront Units occupy prime position, just metres from the lagoon’s edge. With an air-conditioned living room, small kitchenette, master bedroom with queen bed and a second bedroom with two single beds, these units are ideal for families or guests seeking a little extra space.

For those short on time but craving a five-star reef experience, we offer extraordinary day trip packages from various destinations on the Queensland coast including Bundaberg, Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe) and the Gold Coast. Please check our website or speak to our friendly Reservations Team to plan your unforgettable encounter with nature on the magnificent Great barrier Reef.

Getting Here Is A Highlight

Getting to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is an adventure in itself - an exhilarating introduction to your incredible reef experience.

Located on the southern tip of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island is 80 kilometers north-east of Bundaberg, nestled between K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Lady Musgrave Island. All guests arrive to the island via a small aircraft chartered through the island’s sister company Seair Pacific Aviation. As Lady Elliot Island is the most remote Great Barrier Reef Island regularly accessed, boat access is impractical. However, it’s remoteness is a significant part of its appeal!

Lady Elliot Island enjoys the unique position of being the closest Great Barrier Reef island to the Queensland capital city of Brisbane, and the only coral cay on the reef with its own airstrip. Our grass airstrip runs the entire length of the island, and Seair’s team of professional pilots have extensive experience operating the island’s charter service since 1996.

Our friendly reservations team will book your flights in conjunction with your accommodation or day trip package, ensuring a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Flights depart from a variety of mainland locations to accommodate your itinerary, including Bundaberg, Hervey Bay/Fraser Coast, Brisbane (Redcliffe) and Gold Coast. Every guest will experience scenic flights to and from the island, offering a birds-eye view of one of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, as part of their visit to our unique island paradise.

For flight and accommodation bookings please visit our website at ladyelliotisland.com.au/enquire or contact our Reservations Team on 1800 072 200 (within Australia) or 617 5536 3644 from abroad. Our Reservations Office is open seven days a week from 7:00am to 5:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.

For more details and an exciting preview of our scenic charter flights, please refer to our audio guide titled ‘Lady Elliot Island – Guided Scenic Flight Experience.’

Orientation to the Island

Lady Elliot Island is just 42 hectares (or 100 acres) in size - small enough to walk around in just 45 minutes. Here’s a brief orientation to help you get your bearings in this idyllic patch of paradise.

As your scenic flight approaches the airstrip that traverses the length of the island, you’ll be afforded spectacular aerial views of the resort and other landmarks of the island. Touching down you’ll be greeted with an enthusiastic warm welcome of smiles and waves from our team on the edge of the airstrip. Once you’ve disembarked the aircraft, you will make your way on foot to the main breezeway, where a white sign with blue writing reads ‘Welcome to Lady Elliot Island’. What a great spot to snap a selfie!

The resort itself is located on the southeastern side of the island, adjacent to the airstrip and perched beside the picturesque natural lagoon. The front edge of the resort is within mere metres of the water’s edge, creating a truly waterfront experience, particularly for those opting to stay in the Beachfront Units, Reef Units and Glamping Tents that line the coral shoreline. Coastal vegetation creates habitat for nesting seabirds and turtles (in season) and a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with nature but may impede lagoon views. The Beachfront Dining Room, Café and Lagoon Bar is also (obviously enough) found near the beach, towards the northern end of the resort complex, offering uninterrupted Lagoon views for your morning coffee!

Slightly further back from the beach you’ll find our Garden Units, Eco Cabins, Reef Education Centre and Manta Lounge area, as well as other resort facilities such as our resort pool, volleyball court and children’s playground. At the back of the resort, closest to the airstrip, is our reception, gift shop, dive shop, guest activities, first aid room and day guest facilities and lockers, along with an assortment of other maintenance amenities.

On the southwestern side of the island, you’ll find our heritage-listed 150yr old Lighthouse, Heritage Museum and the entry and exit zones for snorkelling. At the north-western side of the island, you’ll find the aptly named coral gardens hut and snorkel entry/exit zone. All areas of the island are no longer than a short 10-15 minute walk from the resort.

Accessibility Overview

The remoteness and pristine natural environment of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort are undeniably a significant part of its appeal. However, these major drawcards may present some impact on the island’s accessibility. While we’ve provided the following information to help you assess the island’s accessibility and suitability for your circumstances, please contact our Reservations Team directly to discuss any access requirements. We will do our best to accommodate your needs wherever possible.

While we warmly welcome all guests, our stunning natural setting can pose some access challenges for wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility, with the largest hurdles being the accessibility of flights, the beach boarding of vessels, and the natural terrain of the island.

Wheelchair users may require assistance when boarding and disembarking the aircraft, however this will depend on the abilities of the individual. Aircraft entry and exit is via a set of cargo stairs. Some wheelchairs will comfortably fit through the stair frame, while others may not.

Cargo space is limited by the size of the aircraft. Wheelchairs will be required to fold down and fit inside the cargo hold. Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort will request size dimensions, weight (in kilograms) and battery specifications (if electric) to confirm it can be secured appropriately.

As an award-winning ecotourism operator, we strive to minimise our impact on this pristine natural environment, so there is no concrete on the island. All pathways are made of crushed coral. Therefore, we recommend the use of wheelchairs with large or thick wheels to promote easier navigation of the island terrain.

Three of our nine Garden Units are designed for ‘easy access’, with an access ramp and larger bathrooms featuring wheel-in showers and handrails. For more information on our accessible rooms please ask one of our friendly team members who will be happy to assist in making your accessible holiday dreams come true on the Great Barrier Reef”

The island also offers two public accessible bathrooms – one behind the main reception area and the second in the Eco Cabin shared bathroom facilities. Accessibility ramps provide easy entry to the beachfront dining room, reception, education centre and accessible bathroom facilities.

All boating activities require boarding of the vessel directly off the beach, as there are no jetties on the island. Generally, this is achieved via a ramp which is lowered onto the sand. However, at low tide guests may be required to walk across shallow reef to access the vessel. Once again, please contact us directly to discuss your needs and we can provide further information and advice tailored to your access requirements.

Registered service dogs are welcome on the island and at the resort, and there’s plenty of grassy areas available on the island for their toileting.