Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Coast
Wildlife
Nature
Family friendly
Diving

The place to come for coral reefs, marine life and giant manta rays

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is a 44-room lodge on a coral cay at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Snorkelling straight off the beach at Lady Elliot Island puts you among manta rays, turtles and reef sharks. The resort sits inside a fully protected Green Zone that shelters more than 1,200 marine species, and is reached only by small aircraft from Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Rooms are simple and fan-cooled, with no television, phone or radio.

Twenty dive sites ring the island, alongside guided reef walks, a glass-bottom boat tour and turtle-nesting walks in season, plus daily talks on the reef's ecology at the Reef Education Centre. Humpback whales pass close by from roughly June to October. In season, turtle hatchlings make their way to the water after dark.

Sustainability

Climate & conservation

Aiming for 100% renewable energy with on-site solar power
Protected nesting grounds for green and loggerhead turtles in a 'Green Zone'
Zero single-use plastic to protect the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem
Operating off-grid with an on-site water desalination plant
Re-greening the coral cay, creating habitat for over 100 bird species
Carbon-neutral flight programme in partnership with Seair Pacific

Community & culture

Partners with Project Manta and Reef Check to monitor southern reef health
Guided 'Leaf to Reef' tours educating visitors on the island's ecosystem
Partners with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on conservation
Staff trained as specialist guides for biodiversity and nocturnal wildlife tours

Commercial

Certified 'Advanced Ecotourism' and 'Climate Action Leader' in Australia
Steve Irwin Award winner, entering the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame 2022
Reinvesting all profits towards carbon neutrality since 2005

In brief

Price bracket: £££
Type of property: Eco resort
No. of rooms: 41 units
Max guests per room: Reef and Garden Units and Eco Cabins sleep up to 4 (queen bed plus bunks)
Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Beach access, Tours desk
Activities: Snorkelling, Diving, Boat trips, Birdwatching, Guided walks
Setting: Island · Beach · Marine

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, with family rooms and baby cots available

Accessibility

Disabled access is available; guests are advised to contact the resort directly for details

£££pp / night Visit website

Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night