I will personally forgive you if you haven’t yet heard of Lizard Island, a remote oasis off the coast of Far North Queensland. Until my recent visit to the far north, I hadn’t heard of it either. Being Australian, you might wonder if there’s a reasonable excuse, but the truth is, we have so many incredible islands and resorts within Australia. Some of my favourites include Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Hamilton Island. But after my most recent visit to Lizard Island, I have a new favourite. Here’s a complete review of my stay: three glorious nights and four days, which I’d say is the ideal length of time to kick back and switch off, literally.
Introducing Lizard Island
When I stumbled on a photo of Lizard Island on Pinterest, I knew I had to go. White sandy beaches, sunny skies, palm trees swaying in the wind, and endless cocktails, how could you not drop everything and book a trip? And by endless cocktails, I really mean endless cocktails. The one and only resort on the island is fully inclusive, so you’ve got plenty of sundowners to look forward to, plus an excuse to eat bottomless avocado on toast, an Aussie brunch staple that features on the breakfast menu.
The island sits around 240km north of Cairns, a short one-hour scenic flight away. Once you arrive at Cairns International Airport, there’s a short 5-10 minute car transfer to the smaller airport used for the smaller aircraft that fly out to Lizard Island throughout the day. Inside the small airport there’s wifi, a selection of inclusive snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, plus all the usual amenities, so if you’ve got time to kill between flights, the lounge is comfy and the staff are more than eager to make you feel at home.
Around the resort
After a scenic one-hour flight over the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll arrive at the beautiful Lizard Island. The island itself is a national park, and with only one resort here, you’ll revel in the quiet tranquillity. Once you land, a team member will welcome you and take you from the airstrip to the lodge by golf buggy. Your bags will magically make their way to your room, while you’re offered champagne on arrival and shown the lay of the land.
The resort itself is fairly large, with 40 rooms in total. Some are beachfront, others are garden-facing or offer ocean views without direct beach access. Then there’s The House, Lizard Island’s most exclusive offering: a stand-alone residence on its own private peninsula, complete with its own private chef and two dedicated staff. It’s the pick if you’re after the absolute top tier of privacy, alongside two further oversized luxury villas that suit a special occasion or a genuine splurge without going all the way to The House.
Inside the rooms at Lizard Island
For our three-night stay, we checked into a beachfront suite. These suites are spacious and welcoming, but the big drawcard is the beachfront location, you’re always just a few steps from the main beach, where a selection of loungers waits for you to get that little bit closer to the water.
It’s not only the convenience of the location that makes these rooms so enviable, you’ll also enjoy all-day sun from the moment it rises until it sets, right out front of your villa. Every day brings a new sunrise or sunset, and no two are ever quite the same.
Inside the room you’ll find all the usual amenities: a hidden television, a seating area, a desk area, an inclusive mini-bar, luxurious bath amenities, and ample wardrobe space. There’s also a small shop near reception in case you’ve forgotten anything, spa essentials, swimwear, hats, and sunscreen, well worth a stop on one of your morning walks to the restaurant for breakfast.
Activities on Lizard Island
While some of us travel to islands for the sheer art (and act) of doing nothing, there’s plenty on offer for the more adventurous traveller. One of the biggest draws for me was the sheer range of activities, from private picnics on secluded beaches to afternoons snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef.
During your stay you’ll have access to private dinghies to get around the island’s beaches. There are an impressive 24 to discover, and you’re likely to only scratch the surface, time passes quickly here. There are also all the usual water activities on offer, from stand-up paddleboards to glass-bottom kayaks, though I’d recommend making the most of good weather when you have it: we weren’t able to take the water toys out during our stay due to high winds.
If you fancy a more relaxed pace, there’s a full-service spa at the resort, plus a swimming pool and plenty of beach loungers. I can also highly recommend arranging a private picnic for an afternoon of snacks and drinks in the setting sun.
SHOP MY LOOK:
What it costs to stay at Lizard Island
Lizard Island Resort is fully inclusive, covering all meals and most alcoholic beverages, including an impressive Australian wine list. Rates vary considerably by room category: 2026 packages span roughly AU$1,770 a night for standard suites up to well over AU$20,000 a night for The House. Return flights from Cairns are an additional cost per person, current airfares have moved since this post was first written, so check with the resort or Hinterland Aviation directly for up-to-date pricing before booking.
Book your stay
Book direct with Lizard Island Resort.
FAQ
How much does it cost to stay at Lizard Island Resort? Rates vary widely by room category, from around AU$1,770 a night for standard suites up to tens of thousands per night for The House, the resort’s most exclusive residence. All packages include meals and most alcoholic drinks.
How do you get to Lizard Island? Fly into Cairns International Airport, then transfer a short 5-10 minutes to the smaller airport for a roughly one-hour scenic flight direct to Lizard Island.
What is “The House” at Lizard Island? The House is the resort’s top-tier offering, a stand-alone residence on its own private peninsula with a dedicated private chef and two full-time staff.
Is Lizard Island good for snorkelling? Yes, you can snorkel straight off the beach directly on the Great Barrier Reef, with no long boat transfers required, one of the resort’s biggest drawcards.
Planning more of Queensland? Don’t miss the best luxury hotels in Queensland and our review of qualia resort on Hamilton Island.
Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.
