Lizard Island

Nature

Lizard Island is one of Australia's most remote and breathtaking locations and boasts amazing natural wonders all year round.

The Creation Of Lizard Island
Lizard Island and the surrounding islands (Osprey Island, Palfrey Island, South Island and Bird Islet) are made up of Granite rock which formed deep below the earth’s surface about 300 million years ago. Slow cooling underground caused the molten rock to solidify, and the entire landscape was uplifted and tilted, exposing the granite hills and beautiful island paradise you see today.

Lizard Island National Park
Its beauty and wilderness are distinctive, and Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1937. The waters surrounding the island were declared a Marine Park in 1974

Lizard Island Research Station
The secrets and mysteries of the lodge are unveiled at the Research Station – a facilitiy of the Australian Museum dedicated to supporting research and advancing knowledge and understanding of the Great Barrier Reef.

Tours to the research station are conducted weekly and available for all Lizard Island guests – please enquire upon booking.

The Eco Certification Program
Lizard Island is ECO certified by Ecotourism Australia. The ECO Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences. The ECO Certification Program is a world first.  It has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators. It is also now being exported to the rest of the world as the International ECO Certification Program.

Walks and Nature Trails
We invite you to join us for a guided interpretive walk to experience the nature, flora and fauna on the island.

Nature Slide Presentations
Throughout the week, slide presentations with our naturalist are scheduled. The presentations cover topics covering marine and terrestrial information. Learn more about this fascinating reef and island environment, and the unique creatures that call it home.

Lizard Island Nature Calendar
View the unique Lizard Island nature calendar below so that you will be sure not to miss out on your most treasured natural wonder, and experience a truly unique ecotourism experience.


January
  • The Amphibious month.
  • Green Tree Frogs dominate the nocturnal sound show as they come out to breed.
  • The Black Flying Fox camp sizes are at their largest, providing spectacular flight scenes at dusk around.
  • Monitor Lizard activity is also high with tunnels being dug for nesting chambers around the island.

February

  • Black-Naped Terns begin nesting.
  • The Melaleuca Forests are flooded and mangrove swamps are rich with juvenile fish life.
  • Terns swarming around Osprey Island preying on the summer fish stocks.
  • Constellation of Orion dominates the early night sky.

March

  • Crested Terns begin nesting.
  • Pheasant Coucal birds changing to their darker plumage.
  • Sacred Kingfishers often sighted around the island.

April

  • Migratory birds such as the Lesser Golden Plover begin to show their breeding plumage before the migration to the northern latitudes.
  • Bar Shouldered Doves nesting.
  • Southern Cross constellation rising early in the night sky.

May

  • Green Sea Turtles spotted feeding along the beaches at low tide.
  • Clear skies and early twilights bring red sunsets over the Pacific.
  • Kapok Bush begins to flower.
  • Swallowtail Butterflies sighted around the resort.

June

  • Humpback Whales begin their northern migration. Curious Minke Whales often approach tour vessel for a closer look.
  • Playful Spinner Dolphins may surf the bow wave on the outer reef trips.
  • Clear views from the top of Cooks Lookout.
  • Centaurus shines over the meridian at night.

July

  • Sightings of Humpback Whales during their migration to warmer waters for calving.
  • Goannas often sighted along tracks warming their bodies in the midday sun.
  • Osprey often sighted around their large, high nests.

August

  • The very sociable White-breasted Wood swallows begin breeding.
  • Umbrella trees showing off their brilliant red flowers.
  • Constellation of Scorpio dominates the spring night sky as it chases Orion over the western horizon.

September

  • The Marlin season begins with Giant Black Marlin cruising the outer reef during their breeding season.
  • Minke and Humpback Whale sightings.
  • Black Flying Foxes feed on the mango fruits around the resort at night.
  • As the water temperatures warm towards 27°C, you’ll see an increase in wildlife activity.
  • The prominent bright yellow flowers of the Kapok Bush in full bloom.
  • The 'Teapot' in Sagittarius shines above at night.

October

  • Lesser Golden Plovers arrive on the island from Siberia & Alaskan territories.
  • Torres Strait Imperial Pigeon migrates down from Papua New Guinea to form breeding colonies on the island.
  • Beach Stone Curlew patrol the beaches acting as decoys for their nests.
  • Black Marlin begin their spawning season on the outer reef.

November

  • Coral reef annual spawning towards the end of the month turns the blue waters orange.
  • Kapok Trees fruiting.
  • Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles seen grazing on sea grasses along the beaches.
  • Pelagic fish species active around spawning season.
  • Monitor Lizards active whilst constructing nesting chambers.

December

  • Occasional sightings of Manta Rays around the island.
  • Water temperature a warm 29°C