Lizard Island Resort is the closest thing Australia has to a private reef island. It is the only resort on Lizard Island, a national park about 240 km north of Cairns. It sits right on the Great Barrier Reef. You fly in on a small plane, step off onto a grass strip and spend your days motoring a dinghy to empty beaches with a picnic in the cooler.
The stay is all-inclusive in the full sense. Meals, wine, beer, spirits and Champagne are covered, along with a daily restocked minibar, motorized dinghies, paddleboards, clear-view kayaks and snorkel gear. Diving, fishing charters and spa treatments cost extra.
It suits couples who want reef, privacy and nature more than nightlife or shopping, if you are happy to pay heavily for it. Children under ten are not accepted, so the mood is calm and largely couples. It suits less well if you want a lively scene, a choice of restaurants or a short trip; the effort and cost of getting here make four nights the sensible minimum. Rates sit among the highest in Australia.
Highlights at a glance
- Only resort on a national park island
- Snorkeling straight from the beach
- Private dinghy trips to empty bays
- All-inclusive with Champagne and minibar
- The Cod Hole within easy boat reach
Why Couples Love Lizard Island
The island is the reason. All the islands in the group have been a national park since 1939, so there is no development beyond the resort, a research station and a simple campground. Fringing reef runs right up to the beaches, which means you can snorkel straight from the sand at places like the Clam Gardens in Watson's Bay.
The signature experience is the private beach trip. You take a small motorized dinghy, choose a bay on the map and spend the afternoon there with a refreshments pack. The marine team can also drop you off and collect you later if you would rather not drive.
Captain James Cook named the island in 1770 and climbed its highest peak, now Cook's Look, to find a way through the reef. Couples who make the same climb get the view he was looking for.
Rooms and Villas to Book
There are eight categories. For a honeymoon, these three make the most sense.
- Oceanview Plunge Pool Villas have a private plunge pool looking out to the Coral Sea. This is where most special offers start. It is the best balance of privacy and price.
- Beachfront Suites open straight onto Anchor Bay from a private terrace. Choose one if you want to walk from bed to water.
- The Pavilion sits on a ridge with a wraparound deck, an infinity pool and wide ocean views. It is the most romantic splurge for two.
The Villa has cliff-top views and an outdoor bath. The House is a three-bedroom property with a private pool for groups. Gardenview Rooms and Suites near the lodge cost less but lose the sea view, which is a big part of the experience here.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Salt Water Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus that change daily. Evening drinks start at the Driftwood Bar & Wine Cellar, while the Marlin Bar serves in-house guests during busy periods. The included drinks list covers wine, beer, spirits and Champagne. Selections from the cellar list carry an extra charge.
The big night out is Beachside Degustation Dining: seven courses with matched wines in a private gazebo on the shore of Anchor Bay. It costs about AUD 300 per person extra (approximate) and is worth booking for one evening.
Essentia Day Spa offers signature rituals and massages. The resort's Romance Package, about AUD 1,120 per couple (approximate), bundles Champagne and strawberries, a 60-minute spa treatment, a Marine Explorer snorkel tour, a private dinghy picnic and one beachside degustation.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Snorkeling and diving come first. The Cod Hole, one of the reef's best-known dive sites, is about 45 minutes away by boat and is included on full-day reef tours. Closer to home, dive and snorkel sites such as Mermaid Cove and Nigel's Bommie are a short ride away. A guided Marine Explorer Tour shows you giant clams and reef life.
For the partner who prefers dry land, the climb to Cook's Look, the island's 370 m summit, is a steep half-day walk with views across the reef. Register at reception if you go without a guide. The Lizard Island Research Station, run by the Australian Museum, offers tours explaining its coral reef science.
Anglers can fish the inner reef or the outer reef by private charter. Between September and December, black marlin bring serious fishing fans from around the world. Tennis and a gym are on site.
Getting There
Hinterland Aviation flies from its terminal at Cairns Airport (CNS) to Lizard Island Airport (LZR) in about an hour, usually twice a day. The flight runs low over the reef, so ask for a window. Return fares for resort guests are about AUD 1,130 per person (approximate) and are not usually included in the room rate.
The luggage limit is strict: 25 kg per person including hand luggage, dropping to 20 kg from December through March. Pack soft bags rather than hard suitcases. Most US couples fly into Sydney or Brisbane, connect to Cairns and spend a night there before the island flight.
From November to May, marine stingers can be present in Queensland waters, so wear a stinger suit when the resort advises it. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest and insect repellent for evenings.
Is It Worth It?
If your honeymoon dream is the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep with almost nobody else around, nothing in Australia compares. The all-inclusive plan is generous, the dinghy beach days are special and the setting is protected national park.
The costs are serious. Nightly rates in the villa categories start around AUD 4,700 for two (approximate). Flights from Cairns add more on top. Diving, fishing and spa treatments are extra. Book four nights or more so that weather on one day does not ruin the trip. Watch for offers that add a free night.
Couples who want reef access at a lower price should look at Port Douglas, where Silky Oaks Lodge or Thala Beach Nature Reserve put day trips to the outer reef within reach. Choose Lord Howe Island instead if you prefer hiking and a cooler climate with your snorkeling.
Insider tips
- Book an Oceanview Plunge Pool Villa or above; most offers, including free-night deals, start from that category.
- Request a private beach drop-off on your first full day while the weather forecast is clear.
- Pack soft bags and weigh them; the light aircraft limit is strict, especially in summer.
- Climb Cook's Look early in the morning before the heat builds. Carry plenty of water.
