Lady Elliot Island Travel
Lady Elliot Island Overview
Lady Elliot Island is the southernmost inhabited island in the Great Barrier Reef. The island was named after the ship Lady Elliot that was once stranded on its reef. The island has a sub-tropical climate with more rain and warmth in the summer. However, the daytime temperatures in summer average in the high 20s. So, the season best for visiting is obviously summer season.
Lady Elliot Island Main Attractions
Lady Elliot is where lots of wildlife and marine life meet for amazing phenomena. From October to April, Lady Elliot becomes a busy breeding ground for crested and bridled terns, silver gulls, lesser frigate birds, and the rare red-tailed tropic bird. Between November and March, green and loggerhead turtles emerge from the water to lay their eggs; hatching takes place after January. From about July through October, pods of humpback whales are visible from the beachfront restaurant.
Divers will enjoy the easy access to the reef and the variety of diving sites around Lady Elliot. Fringed on all sides by the reef and blessed with a stunning white-sand, coral-strewn shore, this oval isle seems to have been made for diving - there's a busy dive shop and a reef education center complete with saltwater-fish, turtle, shell, and other marine-themed exhibits.
Lady Elliot Island Activities
Activities offered in Lady Elliot Island are invigorating. The best places to snorkel and dive can be found just off the coast of the island. The best snorkeling is between Coral Gardens and the Lighthouse. You can enter the water at one and snorkel to the other. Birds are on the top of the food chain in many parts of the island paradise. So, it is worthwhile to watch these amazing creatures venture the sky.
Lady Elliot Island Accommodation & Dining
There is accommodation on Lady Elliot Island, all administered by the resort under a lease. Permanent tents ("Eco-huts" in marketing speak) are erected, which have solid doors, solid floors, and canvas around the sides. Other basic cabins and rooms with bathrooms sleeping up to six are available. Most restaurants are part of each island's main resort; so many resorts' rates include all meals. Some resorts have a range of restaurants, with formal dining rooms, outdoor barbecues, and seafood buffets; some have a premium dining option for which you pay extra.
Lady Elliot Island Shopping & Nightlife
There is a bar on the Lady Elliot Island, but the nightlife is quiet, and the bar closes early. There is a free pool table and ping-pong table. They mix cocktails, including a creamy chocolate special celebrating Susannah McKee, the wife of the lighthouse keeper, who supposedly suicide on the island, unable to handle the isolation. Lady Elliot Island has many shops selling resort wear, children's clothes, souvenirs, and gifts. An art gallery, art studio, florist, small supermarket, pharmacy, real-estate agent, bakery, bottle shop, medical center, video store, and hair salon are also on the island.
Getting To & Around Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island (LYT) has a grass airstrip running the length of the island, immediately adjacent to the resort. Direct flights are available from Hervey Bay, Bundaberg or the Gold Coast. Lady Elliot operates a small fleet of 10-seater Britten Norman Islander aircraft, and has regular services to the mainland for day-trippers and for longer stays.
