Lizard Island
People & Purpose
Lizard Island provides guests with an abundance of opportunities to explore and be educated about the reef ecostystem, with regular scheduled interpretive nature walks and presentations on marine and terrestrial systems, delivered by the resort’s resident naturalists. View case study
“We recognise the privilege of our location and the opportunities it presents for helping to protect, nurture and conserve the natural values of the island itself and the greater surrounding reef for generations to come.”
Leon Pink – Lizard Island General Manager
Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1937; the surrounding waters were recognised as a National Marine Park in 1974, and the Great Barrier Reef was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.
As a result, the resort adheres to some of the most stringent operating requirements in Australia, managing and reporting daily waste management, potable water testing, administering strict biosecurity measures, monitoring water consumption and managing annual visitor numbers. In addition to the mandated regulatory conditions, management is committed to environmental best practice and the resort holds Advanced Ecotourism Certification and GreenPath Ambassador Ecotourism Certification.
“We are working with our staff, guests, First Nations partners and regional suppliers to best manage our environmental footprint on our World Heritage-listed natural environment. Our vision is to engage everyone in the quest to learn about and conserve the Great Barrier Reef and Lizard /sland National Park.”
Leon Pink – Lizard Island General Manager
Lizard Island is surrounded by the 3,000 individual reef systems that make up the 2,300 kilometre-long long Great Barrier Reef, one of the most complex, fragile, and threatened ecosystems on the planet.
Naturalists lead guided walks, sharing the island’s natural and cultural heritage, respecting its Indigenous history and visiting European historical sites such as Cook’s Look, named after Captain James Cook. Scuba and snorkelling excursions are a compelling reason for guests to visit this region, to literally immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the reef. Lizard Island’s dive instructors and guides provide detailed interpretations of the reef systems, as well as providing ‘real-life’ illustrations of the challenges now facing the reef.
Furthering the educational focus, the resort works closely with, and supports the Lizard Island Research Station, a facility of the Australian Museum and a widely recognised island-based research facility on the Great Barrier Reef. Guests have the opportunity to tour the Research Station and personally speak to marine scientists from around the world who share their knowledge about the health of the marine environment, their studies and what potentially can be done to safeguard the future of this diverse ecosystem.
LIZARD ISLAND CONSERVATION EXPERIENCES
OUR LITTLE WHITE BOOK
The Luxury Lodges of Australia brochure has become a treasured and widely recognisable ‘go to’ for Australian experiential luxury, enjoyed both online and in printed form at our lodges. The brochure is available to view or download in eight languages below.