Lady Elliot Island is one of the most magnificent spots in Australia. It is one of the places whose spectacular beauty leaves the tourists amazed. The island offers something for all kinds of travellers and all kinds of holidays. Whether you just want to spend a day relaxing, walking around the beach or want to go underwater to meet and greet the magical sea creatures, Lady Elliot Island has it all. It is an excellent eco-tourism spot in the country and is also the home to the only airstrip on the Reef.
As a tourist, you can experience so much while visiting this place. From snorkelling to scuba diving, encountering Manta Ray and turtles to glass-bottom boat tours at night, the place provides endless opportunities to explore nature. It is an underwater playground offering exciting activities and a great place for families, singles, and couples. This article will discuss preparing for a day trip to the island. Kindly read it until the end to learn all about it.
Lady Elliot Island – An Overview
Situated 46 nautical miles from the Bundaberg coast, at the southernmost part of the Great Reef’s coral cay, the island serves as a haven for more than 1200 species of sea life. It is located in a highly protected Green zone. It is known for its huge population of manta rays and is one of the two places in Australia to swim with these friendly creatures all year round. Tourists can also learn about the turtle, birds nesting, and hatching season.
The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
The island has an Eco Resort that is a must place to stay while exploring nature. You can relax and unwind at the resort after discovering the variety of life on this mesmerizing piece of land. The resort is responsible for providing an array of Lady Elliot Island accommodations, including cabins, glamping tents, and units. The resort has 43 rooms and attempts to provide a memorable experience for the tourists. It gives you a break from the daily life you spend with the internet, staying true to its name. The resort also has no television, telephones, or radio, making it an ideal place for a digital detox. The meals there are served in buffet style with options for everyone.
Things to Do At the Island
The island has a lot to offer that one may find hard to explore in a single day. It is also quite easy to lose track of time absorbed in the immense beauty and the range of activities Lady Elliot Island provides. So we suggest some main attractions that are a must on your first visit to the island
Glass-bottom Boat Tour
The glass-bottom boat trip is one of the best ways to roam around and explore marine life. The ride offers an incredible experience of looking at the creatures that people only get to see on travel shows on TV or the internet. You can see beautiful sea life, including dolphins, manta rays, coral gardens, turtles, and sea stars.
Watching The Sunset
Watching a sunset is always an exciting experience regardless of where you witness the sight. However, the sunset at Lady Elliot Island is hands down one of the best scenes from the shore and the boat. The golden rays can be seen brightening up the sea waves making it look like a painting that just came to life.
Corals
You can witness the beauty of coral reefs of almost all shapes and sizes and in striking colours and designs in clear water. The island is famous for its healthy coral reefs.
Swimming with Manta Rays
The island is identified as the home to Manta Rays. The population of Manta Rays in Lady Elliot Island makes it a top destination for snorkelling in Australia. The peak Manta Ray season is May to August.
Turtle Encounters
Another highlight of the island is its turtles that tourists can encounter while snorkelling. It has all kinds and sizes of turtles, and it also is a top priority of the photographers as they are easy to capture due to their slower pace compared to other sea creatures.
Island Animals
Lady Elliot Island not only allows you to see marine life but also other animals and birds living there, such as the rose–crowned dove, turnstones, waders, and oystercatchers.
Exploring the Island on Foot
If you prefer to stay fit and love walking or running, you can easily explore the island on foot in 45 minutes or less. Even if you’re not one of those, you can walk at your regular pace and still be able to get a complete tour as the island is small in size, only 42 hectares. It offers a variety of walking trails you can utilize to experience the thriving rainforests and get closer and closer to nature.
Scuba Diving
The island also provides scuba diving facilities; tourists can swim in the warm, clear blue water anytime. Diving during the day is a wonderful experience, but doing so at nighttime is even better as the life beneath the surface looks like a whole new world in the nightlight. You can either bring your equipment or get it from the island.
How You Can Prepare For a Day Trip to Lady Elliot Island
There are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind and plan beforehand if you are planning for a Lady Elliot Island day trip. The island is only accessible by plane. If you are visiting in the peak season, it is suggested that you book the accommodation well before your visit to avoid complications. Make sure to put sunscreen, sunglasses, flip flops, insect repellents, and a filtered water bottle in your bag while packing for the trip, and also ensure that you do not pack unnecessary items as it is best to travel light.
That is it for now. Hopefully, the information provided in the article helps plan your day to one of the best tourist destinations in Australia. If you love travelling and want to know about other mesmerizing sights and places to visit, keep visiting The Australia Time. We write about it and various interesting topics to keep you updated on the latest news and developments.
