Lizard Island

Private island · Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Lizard Island

Lizard Island Resort sits directly on the Great Barrier Reef, 240 kilometres north of Cairns, across a 1,013-hectare National Park with 24 secluded white-sand beaches and 40 rooms, suites and villas.

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Overview

Lizard Island lies 240 kilometres north of Cairns and 27 kilometres off the Queensland coast, reached by a one-hour scenic flight that crosses some 200 kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef. The resort sits within a 1,013-hectare National Park, surrounded by 24 white-sand beaches, and is the only resort in Australia positioned directly on the reef. The island became a National Park in 1937 and the surrounding waters were declared a Marine Park in 1974.

The resort holds 40 rooms, suites and villas across eight categories, from Gardenview Rooms near the Lodge to The House, a three-bedroom property on its own peninsula with a private pool, outdoor baths and a rooftop spa. Stays are all-inclusive: three meals a day at Salt Water Restaurant, a full wine, beer, spirit and Champagne list, a restocked in-room mini bar, motorised dinghies, stand-up paddle boards, sea kayaks and snorkelling gear. Guests can arrange a private beach excursion by dinghy, dine at one of two beachside degustation gazebos on Anchor Bay for an additional charge, or book a treatment at Essentia Spa, which uses Sodashi products and admits guests aged 16 and over. The resort itself caters to children 10 years old and over.

Lizard Island, known as Dyiigurra to the Dingaal Aboriginal people who remain its Traditional Owners, has been used for initiation ceremonies and shellfish harvesting for tens of thousands of years. Captain Cook named the island on 12 August 1770 after climbing its summit, now called Cook's Look, to chart a route through the surrounding reef. The resort is a member of Relais & Châteaux and holds the Michelin Three-Key distinction, the highest rating in the Michelin Guide's first Oceania selection. It works with the Lizard Island Research Station and the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef on reef monitoring and the Great Reef Census.

Rooms
40
Minimum stay
1 night
Check in
15:00
Check out
12:00

Why we like it

  • Only resort in Australia located directly on the Great Barrier Reef
  • 40 rooms, suites and villas within a 1,013-hectare National Park
  • 24 secluded white-sand beaches surround the island
  • Holds the Michelin Three-Key distinction, the Michelin Guide's highest Oceania rating
  • Member of Relais & Châteaux
  • Reached by a one-hour scenic flight from Cairns over 200 kilometres of reef

Gallery

Rooms & suites

Categories shown for orientation. Your travel advisor will confirm which are available for your dates and recommend the one that suits the trip.

  • The House

    A three-storey, three-bedroom property on a private peninsula, with a private swimming pool, outdoor baths, a yoga deck and a rooftop spa. Reached by sandy paths with direct beach access, it includes an attached Cottage with its own King suite and kitchenette for additional guests.

    260 m²
    Up to 2 guests
    Coral Sea view
  • The Villa

    Set on a cliff top, The Villa combines interior space with ocean views and suits both couples and families.

    Up to 2 guests
    Ocean view
  • The Pavilion

    Positioned on a ridge, The Pavilion opens through glass sliding doors onto a wrap-around deck with panoramic ocean views.

    Up to 2 guests
    Ocean view
  • Beachfront Suites

    Arranged along the arc of Anchor Bay, these suites offer uninterrupted access to the beach.

    Up to 2 guests
    Beach view
  • Oceanview Plunge Pool Villas

    Each villa has its own private plunge pool with uninterrupted views across the Coral Sea, with access to a collection of secluded beaches.

    Up to 2 guests
    Coral Sea view
  • Oceanview Villas

    These villas give access to secluded beaches and sit among the island's best vantage points for watching the sunset.

    Up to 2 guests
    Ocean view
  • Gardenview Suites

    A separate bedroom and living room make this suite spacious, and it sits close to the Lodge, Salt Water Restaurant, Driftwood Bar, the pool and Essentia Spa.

    Up to 2 guests
    Garden view
  • Gardenview Rooms

    Framed by tropical landscape, these rooms are linked by pathways that lead directly onto Anchor Bay Beach.

    Up to 2 guests
    Garden view

Amenities

  • Salt Water Restaurant
  • Driftwood Bar & Wine Cellar
  • Marlin Bar
  • Essentia Spa
  • Swimming pool
  • Private beach excursions
  • Beachside degustation gazebos
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Motorised dinghies
  • Stand-up paddle boards
  • Sea kayaks
  • Snorkelling gear
  • Research Station tours
  • Cook's Look hiking trail

Reserving through us

Included when your travel advisor confirms this stay

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Property credit or equivalent where the house offers one
  • Early check in and late check out on request
  • Welcome amenity and your travel agent known to the general manager

Eligible preferred amenities are applied wherever available, subject to the property at the time of stay, and are confirmed in your proposal.

Location

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Sydney and the reef, wine country and lodges in places most visitors never reach.

Questions

What is the minimum age for children at Lizard Island?
The resort caters to children 10 years old and over. Essentia Spa has a separate age limit and welcomes guests aged 16 and older.
How do guests get to Lizard Island?
Lizard Island is reached by a one-hour scenic flight from Cairns, crossing about 200 kilometres of the Great Barrier Reef. The island is 240 kilometres north of Cairns and 27 kilometres off the Queensland coast.
What is included in the nightly rate?
Stays include gourmet meals daily, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, a selection of wine, beer, spirits, Champagne and cocktails, a restocked in-room mini bar, motorised dinghies, stand-up paddle boards, sea kayaks and snorkelling gear for the duration of the stay.
Is dinner on the beach included in the stay?
Private beach excursions by dinghy are included in the stay. The separate Beachside Degustation Dining experience, held in two gazebos on Anchor Bay, carries an additional charge.
How many rooms does Lizard Island have?
The resort has 40 rooms, suites and villas across eight categories, ranging from Gardenview Rooms to the three-bedroom House on its own peninsula.

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