An insider's guide to Lizard Island and Lizard Island Resort

Discover the essentials of Lizard Island with an expert guide from someone who’s experienced it firsthand.

If only one could measure a good time on Lizard Island by how much sand has been collected in your cossies. Or how many hours you’ve spent lolling on your day bed before the sun seeps over the horizon. It’s fitting that Lizard Island is named after the Whitsunday island’s best-known resident: the yellow-spotted monitor lizard. You can spend much of the late afternoon flat out like a lizard drinking at a gin tasting.

And while your skin won’t be as scaly as this suborder of reptiles after a visit to Essentia Day Spa , you can certainly change the colour of your kaftan to better blend in, like a chameleon, with your surrounds. Lizard Island was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 because of its many monitor lizards. But to the Traditional Owners of the lands, seas and skies of the region, the Dingaal and Ngurrumungu peoples, the island is known as Dyiigurra, and it represents a sacred place.

Location

the Lizard Island Resort from above — The resort is totally secluded, just 28 kilometres off the Queensland coastline. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island is in the northernmost part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Australia. It’s about 240 kilometres north of Cairns and about 28 kilometres off the Queensland coastline. The island is accessible by charter flights from the East Air Terminal at Cairns Airport and takes about an hour to get there. From above, the sun colours the frayed edges of the Ribbon Reefs, which appear like vibrant threads in an azure embroidery. It also paints its contours, gilding its neatly stacked granite boulders and rows of gums. Lizard Island is 1624 kilometres northwest of Brisbane and home to 1013 hectares of national park. It’s also a part of the larger stingray-like formation of islands that makes up the Lizard Island Group. If you have a boat that is larger than seven metres you can pull up in designated reef anchorage areas like Watsons Bay and Blue Lagoon. And if you have your own plane (many guests do) you can use the lavish resort’s private airstrip.

Style and character

a beachfront suite at Lizard Island Resort — The sea-view suites spill onto the manicured gardens. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island Resort is one of three Luxury Lodges of Australia properties in Tropical North Queensland. And despite the fact it’s one of the most luxe resorts on the Great Barrier Reef, it retains its laidback charm. The villas have an old Queenslander aesthetic, which is timeless, and a luxury element that emphasises light-filled spaces and a casual coastal chic. Although there are no tins of empty paint lying around, it’s likely the villas are all painted in Surf Mist, a light, neutral colour that complements the mix of contemporary natural textiles, earthy rattan light fittings and textured throws.

Lizard Island Resort was refurbished in 2015 after being damaged by cyclones, and Melbourne-based designers Hecker Guthrie turned to nature for ideas, forms and materials. The villas and restaurants are timeless thanks to the fact the indoors and outdoors appear to merge. Hecker Guthrie revels in texture and detail and employs wood and fabric to define the aesthetic of the living environment. But the greatest luxury of all is the location of the resort and exclusivity of access to the island’s diverse landscape.

Rooms

a man looking out the window of his suite at Lizard Island Resort — The luxury Lizard Island accommodation offers bright and breezy beachfront rooms. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There are only 40 rooms, suites and villas scattered around the 1000-hectare resort, with stone pathways that funnel guests through the greenery to the resort’s bar, restaurant, pool and spa. The luxury Lizard Island accommodation includes: Oceanview Villas, which are perched like eyries overlooking Sunset Bay; Gardenview Suites and Rooms, tucked away in tropical gardens; Beachfront Suites situated along the arc of Anchor Bay; and Oceanview Plunge Pool Villas where you can float like a starfish in your private plunge pool. Premium Leif products are used in the bathrooms and the rooms and suites are bright and breezy with wide-angle views of the sea or garden. I’m staying in an Oceanview Villa, which is a standalone cabin framed by palm trees bent into the wind.

Beach towels and beach bags are provided for those who want to flipper straight into the sea. A hairdryer is available in each room, but to be honest, the Lizard Island look is more #beachhairdontcare. There’s also an iron and an ironing board so you can iron your linen outfit ahead of the evening meal. To ensure your comfort, the resort offers a pillow menu that includes a range of hypoallergenic microfibre pillows that range from squishy to firm.

Facilities

the 8-metre private plunge pool in The Villa, Lizard Island Resort — Enjoy early morning dips at the 8-metre private plunge pool at The Villa. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

On the entertainment front, the rooms have LCD Televisions and Bluetooth speakers so you can crank your Island Vibes playlist. Although there is air con, the whirring of a ceiling fan will heighten that sense of connection to the tropics. Workaholics will appreciate the office desk and stationery. While those in holiday mode will likely work their way through the fully stocked mini bar and take advantage of the tea and coffee-making facilities. There’s complimentary wi-fi, but the best views are of sea and sky. Leave your phone in the room and take one of the complimentary motorised dinghies to explore the coral reef gardens that fringe the island.

a woman having a facial treatment at Essentia Spa, Lizard Island Resort — Get pampered with rejuvenating facial and body treatments on-site. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island has an Essentia Spa onsite, which is designed around the concept of sodashi, a Sanskrit word for ‘wholeness, purity and radiance’. Choose between a diverse menu of day treatments such as the Pure Radiance Facial, Detoxifying Marine Body Wrap and Signature Massage. The resort has a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and tour desk. There’s also a communal lounge and laundry.

Food and drink

a close-up shot of food on a plate, Lizard Island Resort — The menu is inspired by the ocean’s bounty and seasonal produce from the mainland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A stay on Lizard Island is all-inclusive with menus that draw inspiration from the tropical environment . Meals are enjoyed in the open-air Salt Water restaurant, an indoor-outdoor space where diners welcome the gentle caress of a sea breeze. The menu changes daily and is inspired by the ocean’s bounty and seasonal produce sourced from the mainland. Champagne, beer and spirits are on offer throughout your stay, and guests are invited to take part in a Wolf Lane Tropical Gin Tasting Masterclass at the Driftwood Bar & Wine Cellar. Breakfast is a la carte at the exclusive island retreat, and there are signature experiences such as seven-course Beachside Degustation Dining with matching wines and a menu tailor-made by the executive chef to suit the occasion. Personalised Beach Picnics are also popular, as guests can motor to a private beach via dinghy. The Marlin Bar is at the end of the boardwalk and is a public bar that has welcomed guests since 1975. Expect everyone from visiting celebrities to salty sea dogs to make cameos at the bar, which is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5pm.

Things to do

stand-up paddleboarding at Lizard Island — Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to explore the island’s pristine waters. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Visitors to Lizard Island tend to be quite active as there are a lot of things to see and do. Cook’s Look offers one of the best vantage points of the island. Hike here in the cool of the day at dusk, when the colour in the sky changes from bands of pink to blue.  A comprehensive guide to Lizard Island will always include a trip to the famous Cod Hole, famous for its resident potato cods and brightly coloured tropical fish. Visitors can also snorkel straight off the sand.  The Australian Museum has a Marine Research Station on the island where many visitors choose to volunteer. Help build the Australasian Fishes station’s image library used to identify fish or record frog calls to help the scientists learn more about what is happening to Australia’s frogs.

an aerial view of Lizard Island Resort — This exclusive island retreat is tucked into a secluded part of the Great Barrier Reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island is all about experiential luxury, with everything a short amble away. The beaches are secluded and seductive. Flipper straight off the beach at Watsons Bay to find giant clams and sea turtles in the Clam Gardens, an exclusive experience that is one of Lizard Island’s greatest draws. Lizard Island is also known the world over for its game fishing, something the island specialises in. The nearby Ribbon Reefs are considered some of the best in the world for big game fishing. Fish all day and come back to your luxury villa to enjoy oysters and Champagne on beaches that are like a scene stolen from a postcard.

Is Lizard Island Resort family-friendly?

guests participating in a yoga session on the beach — Join morning yoga sessions on the beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lizard Island welcomes children aged 10 and over, which is the perfect age to take advantage of all of the island activities. Extended families often book out The House, an architecturally designed home with an adjoining cottage that sleeps eight.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The resort offers some accessibility with wheelchair-friendly paths leading to the restaurant and villas, but the island’s national park has limitations for those with mobility issues. Contact Lizard Island for more details.

Discover the Great Barrier Reef’s first underwater hotel

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.

An insider’s guide to Lizard Island and Lizard Island Resort