Lady Elliot Island is a magnificent island situated at the south-western tip of Western Australia. It is Australia’s most southerly island. The island is the largest of three World Heritage sites in Western Australia (consisting of the Great Barrier Reef and the Simpson Desert). The island lies 48 nautical miles long from west of Bundaberg and constitutes a land mass of about 45 kilometres. It is part of the Commonwealth of Australia and is jointly owned by the Commonwealth of Australia and the Northern Territory.
The most attractive aspect of this treasured island is its exquisiteness. Surrounded with so much greenery, that gives you the feeling of a ‘perfect retreat to natural bliss.’
Let’s checkout the top 10 attractions in and around Lady Elliot Island
1. Outdoor Activities
If you choose to stay at Lady Elliot Island, there are various activities on offer which will ensure that you do not have any boredom. The island has several water sports which you can take part in such as snorkeling, surfing and boating. You can participate in activities like kayaking, horse riding, ballooning and fishing.In addition to this, the place also offers a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, walking, golfing, bungee jumping and mountain biking.
2. Rare Flora and Fauna
Lady Elliot Island is also popular for its breeding of rare birds and mammals. There are various species of birds that can be found on the island including the Lady Gouldian finch and the tuatara. These are two of the rarest animals on earth and being able to witness their beauty is a once in a lifetime experience.
Lady Elliot Island also has numerous other interesting attractions. This includes the Lady Elliot Island Reserve, which is a beautiful tropical reserve. You will also find a nature trail which allows you to experience the environment of the place. The reserve has a wide variety of native plants and flowers that grow here. There are also a number of wildlife species to view.
While you are at Elliot Keyport, you will want to make sure that you take some time to see the various different wildlife and plants that are found on the island. Some of these include but are not limited to, eagles, owls, sea turtles, sea lions, deer, bear, alligators, venomous snakes, turtles, crabs, and the iconic black masked rat.
3. Picturesque Historical Monuments
Apart from outdoor and water attractions, there are historical elements to be explored on Lady Elliot Island. There are several heritage buildings in the area which give you an insight into the history of Bermuda. This place also has the famous The Botanical Gardens, which is home to a variety of trees and plant life.
4. Eateries/ Restaurants
When it comes to dining, you have a plethora of choices from the local restaurants that serve seafood and fresh local cuisine. You will also find plenty of fresh fish here, given its an island after all! In case you aren’t much into seafood, you could also find varied different Asian cuisines such as Japanese, Chinese, Indian and Italian.
5. Thrilling Water Activities
One of the main activities on the Island is boating. There are two marinas available and a number of boats waiting to take visitors out. Lady Elliot also has one ferry that runs from George Town into George Town. The ferry boat leaves frequently and you can enjoy some great views along the way. There are also a number of places where you can find nature cruises that will take you on a blissful journey through the natural environment of the area.
Not to miss, you also got fancy water activities like kayaking, canoeing as well as scuba diving. Scuba diving is particularly popular as it offers an opportunity to catch a sight of the alluring sea life in its natural habitat. The guided tours allow you to go on a unique diving adventure and you can view the underwater beauty of the reef and coral. The tour guides will also tell you about the mesmerizing marine life of the area.
6. Snorkelling/ Parasailing at Sea Life Park
One of the top locations is the Sea Life Park. You can do a variety of activities that involve water. You can go surfing, snorkeling, sailing or even parasailing if you wish. On the island, you will also find an array of unusual activities such as dolphin watching and an eco-tour.
To get to this popular site, you need to take the ferry that leaves fromifax bay. This is one of the best places in the area to get a closer look at the sea turtles. The marine biologists in the area often come out during the summer months to feed the turtles. This is also one of the best places to find stingrays and other amazing marine creatures.
7. Olompali State Beach
Lady Elliot Island is actually one of three named islands that make up Elliot Bay. It is the largest island and it is home to a wonderful little park that you can visit. It’s called the Olompali State Beach. This is one of the most revered places to behold the splendid wildlife and the pristine beaches. There are plenty of other events on the island that has been a crowd puller for decades.
8. Na Pali Coast and it’s radiant sunsets
When you decide to stay at one of the accommodations on the island, one of the must-do activities is to take a walk through the Na Pali Coast. It is a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that is less than an hour’s drive from Lady Elliot Island. Here you can see one of the oldest known cultures of the Western Pacific. They are the native peoples of this area and they are very proud of their heritage. There are many things to do here, but the most appealing of all is the radiant sunsets.
It is amazing what sunset can do for the human psyche. You can see nature at its most vibrant and encounter the colors of the ocean up close. It is also a good place to just sit and relax and watch the waves come and go. If you wish, you can even snorkel or scuba dive right alongside the sunset.
9. Fern Grotto at the Elliot Keyport
The next top attraction to do while you stay at Elliot Keyport( one of the famous hotels) is the Fern Grotto. This grotto was formed millions of years ago when the sea level rose due to massive icebergs. You will be able to walk through it and see many types of ferns. There are both pervasive and sparse variety of ferns. There are also quite a few endangered species that you can spot as you explore this beautiful site.
10. Lady Elliot Village Site
To see the history of the island and to see some of its history in its early days you can visit the Lady Elliot Village Site. At this point in history, this village was a great place for hunters to hunt wild pigs. This is because there were no houses on this island and the only way to see nature at its most beautiful state was by being hunted by dogs. This is an experience that everyone will enjoy and reminisce about .
Epilogue
There are many more attractions of course and each one is a sight to behold. As you explore the island, you will notice that it is filled with so much beauty and intrigue. So, if you love nature and want to see the history and see nature at its finest, then Lady Elliot Island may be a good choice for you.
When you visit Bermuda, you will have lots of options to explore. However, you should consider staying at one of the Lady Elliot Island hotels if you want a comfortable stay. This will ensure that you get more out of your trip and that you do not become bored with it. One thing you should always remember is that it is a good idea to try and book the trip in advance if you want to avoid any last minute surprises.
