Lady Elliot Island - The Great Barrier Reef - Landmarks of Queensland

GPS: 24° 7′ 0″ S, 152° 43′ 0″ E

Visit Lady Elliot Island

This Australian landmark, located 85km (53 miles) north east of Bundaberg, is accessed by plane from 5 places along the Queensland coast. All 5 can take you for a day trip or for a resort stay on the island. The main starting points are Hervey Bay and Bundaberg; flights leave three times daily from each and both airports can be accessed by car, rail and flights from Brisbane, the state capitol of Queensland. Flights are also available by request from Redcliffe in Brisbane, Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.

About Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island is a 45 hectare coral cay which demarks the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, the most famous landmark in Australia. In 1805 Beche de Mer (sea cucumbers) began to be harvested though officially the island wasn't discovered until 1816. Named by Captain Thomas Stuart after his vessel, Lady Elliot Island didn't open its doors to tourists until 1985. Located in the 'Green Zone', the highest classification of protection for a Marine National Park, the existing infrastructure was renovated into a sustainable practice eco resort in 2005.

With fantastic water clarity from being far offshore, a sparkling lagoon on the eastern side and postcard reefs right off the beach on the southern side Lady Elliot Island is an absolutely perfect place to snorkel and scuba dive. If your a nature lover it would be hard to beat this island anywhere in the world for diversity and accessability. The flora and fauna of the reef is spectacular and only the beginning. With several species of sea birds nesting, manta rays all year round, humpback whales migrating past and Green and Loggerhead Turtles nesting on the island, there is always an awesome display of nature to behold.

This unpretentious eco resort is one of the best places in the world to adventure into island life whilst seeing everything The Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

5 Things to Do when you get to Lady Elliot Island

1. Learn to Snorkel and Scuba Dive
2. Spot and listen underwater for migrating Whales (June to October)
3. Join one of the many free tours and activites such as daily fish feeding
4. Watch a turtle lay their eggs during nesting season (September to November)
5. Jump in the Glass Bottom Boat for a Reef Tour

Credits
publication: Australian Landmarks - Top 10 Landmark lists, Reviews on Australian landmarks, travel advice and tourism information.
web:link to web for more details
date: 20/11/2012

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