Lizard Island Resort
Laid-back, romantic, secluded
Lizard Island National Park, PMB 40 Cairns Queensland 716-276-0104 844-833-7862 www.lizardisland.com.au
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Courtesy Lizard Island Resort -
Courtesy Lizard Island Resort -
Courtesy Lizard Island Resort -
Courtesy Lizard Island Resort
At a Glance
To the Dingaal aboriginal people, Lizard Island was thought to be a sacred place, one that had been created in the Aboriginal Dreamtime and used for Indigenous ceremonies and initiations. If you’re dreaming of getting away from it all, there are few better places. Situated on the Great Barrier Reef nearly 17 miles off the coast of Queensland, and ringed with reefs and 24 powdery-white beaches, the all-inclusive property is accessible by charter flight from Cairns. The 40 stylish suites and villas are the only accommodations on the island (which is also a protected national park). Rooms feature neutral tones and beachy décor. Days include long island walks and hikes, tennis, the excellent day spa and an array of reef activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing and boating excursions and research station tours. Prime access to the world’s most diverse marine life has its advantages. With no cell phone service on the island, it’s the ultimate spot for unplugging.
The Standout: The prime location for exploring the Great Barrier Reef
Don’t Miss: Taking your own motorized dinghy to a private beach with a picnic hamper and spending the day there
Indagare Loves
- The extraordinary expeditions around the Great Barrier Reef
- The island itself is a protected national park.
- Epic sea views from every corner, including from the fabulous pool
Lizard Island Resort Review
Anyone who’s ever dreamed of being stranded on an idyllic island will fall for Lizard Island Resort. Considered one of the most beautiful places on earth, the secluded, all-inclusive resort is the sole lodging on the island—a protected national park—featuring five-star accommodation in 40 suites and villas. Surrounded by natural beauty that soothes the soul, Lizard Island Resort achieves a rustic elegance despite its remoteness. Refurbished by designer Hector Guthrie, each suite is carefully curated with cheery neutral tones and décor that conjures a breezy beach vibe. The beachfront Anchor Bay Suites invoke romance, with sliding glass doors that lead to a sheltered veranda with a double daybed—perfect for lounging while watching the sun melt into the ocean. A sandy pathway leads to a stretch of powdery white beach and cerulean sea, both just steps away from the door of the suite. Those craving the pinnacle of luxury, however, should book the resort’s new villa, a two-bedroom suite with a butler’s kitchen, private eight-meter plunge pool and expansive deck perched high above the Coral Sea. The panoramic vistas are gobsmacking.
The excellent day spa offers blissful treatments and many activities are available. Guests can head to the tennis courts, swimming pool, fitness center or beach club that can arrange reef activities and fishing excursions. The menu at the open-air Salt Water Restaurant features modern cuisine that combines Australian, Mediterranean and Asian flavors, as well as superb Australian and New Zealand wine pairings. Those looking for a special dining experience can indulge in a sunset dinner created by executive chef Mark Janson. The seven-course menu complete with wine pairings is served on the sand and illuminated by tiki torches. A gourmet picnic on a private beach featuring delicacies such as sushi, charcuterie boards and homemade pastries can also be arranged.
But the best part? Lizard Island is a prime location for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and has become a hub for reef research. Resort guests don’t have to travel far to see coral, fish and giant clams, but instead can simply snorkel from the beach in front of the lodge, where there are oodles of coral reef and marine life to explore. For those seeking to explore further, the resort offers half- and full-day excursions to the magnificent inner and outer reef diving sites, including the world famous Cod Hole, renowned for its huge, but friendly, Potato Cod.
Note: While guest pampering is paramount, remember that Lizard Island Resort is on a far-flung tropical island and some mainland offerings (such as WiFi) may be limited.
Who Should Stay
Couples and beach lovers looking for a romantic escape in the great outdoors and those who want to to explore the Great Barrier Reef and bask on white sands in absolute solitude
— Lisa Jackson
Author
- Indagare
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From Indagare member M. V. who took a second honeymoon in Australia with her husband:
“Lizard Island was an amazing and unique experience. The owner/manager came to greet every guest at arrival and the staff overall was well-trained and friendly. Everyone at the resort was raving about the food for good reason—it was very refined and balanced. The activities available were really special. We took a fun day trip with a group to the Outer Reef to snorkel. All the staff organizing this trip were managed by the resort which made the experience seamless. We also had our own “Robinson Crusoe” experience when the staff gave us a little boat to take a to a private part of the island and prepared a special picnic for us. Every day you could stroll down the beach and snorkel in the reef just off the shore. The bathrooms in the rooms had just been renovated and felt very spa-like, but the rest of the rooms, while clean and fine, gave away that they hadn’t been updated since the 1970s. My only complaint was that the return charter flights weren’t as organized as they could have been: three couples flying back to Cairns at the same time could have flown together, but the resort had booked three separate planes.”