An insider’s guide to Lizard Island and Lizard Island Resort

By Carla Grossetti
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Discover the essentials of Lizard Island with an expert guide from someone who’s experienced it firsthand.

If only one could measure a good time on Lizard Island by how much sand has been collected in your cossies. Or how many hours you’ve spent lolling on your day bed before the sun seeps over the horizon. It’s fitting that Lizard Island is named after the Whitsunday island’s best-known resident: the yellow-spotted monitor lizard. You can spend much of the late afternoon flat out like a lizard drinking at a gin tasting.

And while your skin won’t be as scaly as this suborder of reptiles after a visit to Essentia Day Spa, you can certainly change the colour of your kaftan to better blend in, like a chameleon, with your surrounds. Lizard Island was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 because of its many monitor lizards. But to the Traditional Owners of the lands, seas and skies of the region, the Dingaal and Ngurrumungu peoples, the island is known as Dyiigurra, and it represents a sacred place.

Location

the Lizard Island Resort from above

The resort is totally secluded, just 28 kilometres off the Queensland coastline. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island is in the northernmost part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Australia. It’s about 240 kilometres north of Cairns and about 28 kilometres off the Queensland coastline. The island is accessible by charter flights from the East Air Terminal at Cairns Airport and takes about an hour to get there. From above, the sun colours the frayed edges of the Ribbon Reefs, which appear like vibrant threads in an azure embroidery. It also paints its contours, gilding its neatly stacked granite boulders and rows of gums. Lizard Island is 1624 kilometres northwest of Brisbane and home to 1013 hectares of national park. It’s also a part of the larger stingray-like formation of islands that makes up the Lizard Island Group. If you have a boat that is larger than seven metres you can pull up in designated reef anchorage areas like Watsons Bay and Blue Lagoon. And if you have your own plane (many guests do) you can use the lavish resort’s private airstrip.

Style and character

a beachfront suite at Lizard Island Resort

The sea-view suites spill onto the manicured gardens. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island Resort is one of three Luxury Lodges of Australia properties in Tropical North Queensland. And despite the fact it’s one of the most luxe resorts on the Great Barrier Reef, it retains its laidback charm. The villas have an old Queenslander aesthetic, which is timeless, and a luxury element that emphasises light-filled spaces and a casual coastal chic. Although there are no tins of empty paint lying around, it’s likely the villas are all painted in Surf Mist, a light, neutral colour that complements the mix of contemporary natural textiles, earthy rattan light fittings and textured throws.

Lizard Island Resort was refurbished in 2015 after being damaged by cyclones, and Melbourne-based designers Hecker Guthrie turned to nature for ideas, forms and materials. The villas and restaurants are timeless thanks to the fact the indoors and outdoors appear to merge. Hecker Guthrie revels in texture and detail and employs wood and fabric to define the aesthetic of the living environment. But the greatest luxury of all is the location of the resort and exclusivity of access to the island’s diverse landscape.

Rooms

a man looking out the window of his suite at Lizard Island Resort

The luxury Lizard Island accommodation offers bright and breezy beachfront rooms. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There are only 40 rooms, suites and villas scattered around the 1000-hectare resort, with stone pathways that funnel guests through the greenery to the resort’s bar, restaurant, pool and spa. The luxury Lizard Island accommodation includes: Oceanview Villas, which are perched like eyries overlooking Sunset Bay; Gardenview Suites and Rooms, tucked away in tropical gardens; Beachfront Suites situated along the arc of Anchor Bay; and Oceanview Plunge Pool Villas where you can float like a starfish in your private plunge pool. Premium Leif products are used in the bathrooms and the rooms and suites are bright and breezy with wide-angle views of the sea or garden. I’m staying in an Oceanview Villa, which is a standalone cabin framed by palm trees bent into the wind.

Beach towels and beach bags are provided for those who want to flipper straight into the sea. A hairdryer is available in each room, but to be honest, the Lizard Island look is more #beachhairdontcare. There’s also an iron and an ironing board so you can iron your linen outfit ahead of the evening meal. To ensure your comfort, the resort offers a pillow menu that includes a range of hypoallergenic microfibre pillows that range from squishy to firm.

Facilities

the 8-metre private plunge pool in The Villa, Lizard Island Resort

Enjoy early morning dips at the 8-metre private plunge pool at The Villa. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

On the entertainment front, the rooms have LCD Televisions and Bluetooth speakers so you can crank your Island Vibes playlist. Although there is air con, the whirring of a ceiling fan will heighten that sense of connection to the tropics. Workaholics will appreciate the office desk and stationery. While those in holiday mode will likely work their way through the fully stocked mini bar and take advantage of the tea and coffee-making facilities. There’s complimentary wi-fi, but the best views are of sea and sky. Leave your phone in the room and take one of the complimentary motorised dinghies to explore the coral reef gardens that fringe the island.

a woman having a facial treatment at Essentia Spa, Lizard Island Resort

Get pampered with rejuvenating facial and body treatments on-site. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island has an Essentia Spa onsite, which is designed around the concept of sodashi, a Sanskrit word for ‘wholeness, purity and radiance’. Choose between a diverse menu of day treatments such as the Pure Radiance Facial, Detoxifying Marine Body Wrap and Signature Massage. The resort has a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and tour desk. There’s also a communal lounge and laundry.

Food and drink

a close-up shot of food on a plate, Lizard Island Resort

The menu is inspired by the ocean’s bounty and seasonal produce from the mainland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A stay on Lizard Island is all-inclusive with menus that draw inspiration from the tropical environment. Meals are enjoyed in the open-air Salt Water restaurant, an indoor-outdoor space where diners welcome the gentle caress of a sea breeze. The menu changes daily and is inspired by the ocean’s bounty and seasonal produce sourced from the mainland. Champagne, beer and spirits are on offer throughout your stay, and guests are invited to take part in a Wolf Lane Tropical Gin Tasting Masterclass at the Driftwood Bar & Wine Cellar. Breakfast is a la carte at the exclusive island retreat, and there are signature experiences such as seven-course Beachside Degustation Dining with matching wines and a menu tailor-made by the executive chef to suit the occasion. Personalised Beach Picnics are also popular, as guests can motor to a private beach via dinghy. The Marlin Bar is at the end of the boardwalk and is a public bar that has welcomed guests since 1975. Expect everyone from visiting celebrities to salty sea dogs to make cameos at the bar, which is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5pm.

Things to do

stand-up paddleboarding at Lizard Island

Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to explore the island’s pristine waters. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Visitors to Lizard Island tend to be quite active as there are a lot of things to see and do. Cook’s Look offers one of the best vantage points of the island. Hike here in the cool of the day at dusk, when the colour in the sky changes from bands of pink to blue.  A comprehensive guide to Lizard Island will always include a trip to the famous Cod Hole, famous for its resident potato cods and brightly coloured tropical fish. Visitors can also snorkel straight off the sand.  The Australian Museum has a Marine Research Station on the island where many visitors choose to volunteer. Help build the Australasian Fishes station’s image library used to identify fish or record frog calls to help the scientists learn more about what is happening to Australia’s frogs.

an aerial view of Lizard Island Resort

This exclusive island retreat is tucked into a secluded part of the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island is all about experiential luxury, with everything a short amble away. The beaches are secluded and seductive. Flipper straight off the beach at Watsons Bay to find giant clams and sea turtles in the Clam Gardens, an exclusive experience that is one of Lizard Island’s greatest draws. Lizard Island is also known the world over for its game fishing, something the island specialises in. The nearby Ribbon Reefs are considered some of the best in the world for big game fishing. Fish all day and come back to your luxury villa to enjoy oysters and Champagne on beaches that are like a scene stolen from a postcard.

Is Lizard Island Resort family-friendly?

guests participating in a yoga session on the beach

Join morning yoga sessions on the beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island welcomes children aged 10 and over, which is the perfect age to take advantage of all of the island activities. Extended families often book out The House, an architecturally designed home with an adjoining cottage that sleeps eight.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The resort offers some accessibility with wheelchair-friendly paths leading to the restaurant and villas, but the island’s national park has limitations for those with mobility issues. Contact Lizard Island for more details.

Discover the Great Barrier Reef’s first underwater hotel

Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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This Great Barrier Reef tour is the best thing I’ve done in Australia

    By Rachael Thompson
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    Evegreen Editor Rachael Thompson travelled to the world’s largest coral reef system for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    I recently headed up to Hamilton Island to stay at the island’s newest resort, The Sundays. What I thought couldn’t be a more perfect couple of days exploring the luxury accommodation and Whitsunday Island became an even more incredible adventure after I was also invited to jump on a helicopter for the Journey to the Heart Tour to see Heart Reef.

    The adventure began on Hamilton Island. Only six people can do this experience at any given time, so we hopped in a helicopter, ready to be treated to spectacular Whitsunday views. After about 30 minutes of flying, seeing Hamilton Island and the pristine Whitehaven Beach from above, we reached the striking boundary where the reef begins, with turquoise waters and clusters of coral coming into view.

    A view of Whitehaven beach from a helicopter.

    Aerial views of Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    Eventually, the pilot informed us that we were about to fly around the Heart Reef. Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot. This exquisite natural phenomenon is approximately 17 metres long and, as the name suggests, is shaped like a heart. I’d seen photos of Heart Reef before, on postcards and marketing campaigns. But nothing compares to witnessing its distinctive shape in person. It’s the kind of moment that makes you pause – not just to take a photo, but to truly take it in.

    We circled above Heart Reef a couple of times to take in the full view before landing on a luxurious, sustainably designed pontoon in a nearby lagoon — the whole experience felt very James Bond-esque.

    Aerial view of Heart Reef

    Heart Reef from above. (Image: Jason Hill and Tourism & Events Queensland)

    We headed downstairs, where there were tables and lounges for relaxing and taking in the idyllic views. Paddi, our friendly tour guide, greeted us and ushered us onto a small boat. Paddi drove us around the surrounding reef (you can’t get too close to Heart Reef), educating us on the species living in the area. It was here that I noticed myself feeling like my child-like self who visited the reef with my family when I was 10 years old. As Paddi pointed out colourful fish and coral through the boat’s glass bottom, I found myself gasping and exclaiming, “Look how cute it is!” I felt incredibly excited and lucky to witness the workings of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

    A pontoon sitting on the Great Barrier reef near Heart Reef.

    Your tour guide will take you on a boat around the reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

    We then headed back to the pontoon to get our snorkelling equipment and enjoy approximately 45 minutes in the water. Visitors are unable to snorkel or dive at Heart Reef due to its protected status, but the surrounding reef area is truly spectacular.

    At a delightful 26.6 degrees Celsius, the water felt perfect. Parrotfish, Blue Stripe Clarkii Clownfish and needlefish playfully swam around, a large piece of coral proudly showed us its vibrant purple colour and giant clams rested serenely on the sandy seabed. With only six of us snorkelling, it was quiet and the energy was peaceful. 

    A pontoon with a helicopter in the Great Barrier Reef.

    Swim in pristine water and discover a myriad of marine species. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    To top off the experience, once we had finished snorkelling, we were treated to a glass of bubbles back on the pontoon, where we exchanged stories of how incredible the experience had been for each of us. 

    It’s worth noting that there are no restroom facilities on the pontoon. As the excursion lasts approximately three hours, it’s advisable to plan accordingly before departure.

    A view from a pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

    Relax and enjoy a glass of bubbles while you admire the azure waters. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    At $1400 per person, this tour is definitely on the pricier end. But to be honest, it felt like a billionaire experience. Moments like this make me fall in love with Australia all over again and highlight even more how desperately this iconic part of the world needs to be protected.

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