Lizard Island, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: May 19th, 2003
Located just off the coast of North Queensland, Lizard Island is Australia's northern most island resort. Shrouded with tropical palms and deserted sandy shores, this ultra-exclusive P&0 Resort is situated right on the world famous Great Barrier Reef. And its here you can study the art of 'Lizardism'.
While Lizardism isn't actually a word, the term is basically the resort's answer to lounging around. Life on the island plods along as slow as a lizard and people are often caught basking lazily in the sun, just as lizards tend to do.
There are many magnificent walks to choose from, and aside from rich fauna and flora, you may also spot a Monitor, the lizard after which the island was named. The bushwalks lead you through a canopy of tropical palms to isolated sandy beaches.
Lizard Island's beaches are world-renowned and with 24 to choose from, you're spoilt for choice. The unspoken rule is that if people are already on the beach, you move onto the next vacant one. Three beaches immediately south of the resort are Sunset Beach, Pebbly Beach and Hibiscus Beach.
If you're feeling too lazy to walk you can always use the complimentary dinghies, kayaks or any of the other water vessels available.
Watson's Bay to the north of the resort offers a wonderful stretch of sand with great marine life. Here you can snorkel off a secluded beach and discover a garden of giant clams. Many of them are up to a metre long and over 120 years old. But whether you snorkel here or at another spot around the island you're be amazed by the beautiful marine life; there are about 400 kinds of coral and more than 1500 types of fish.
For a more up close experience of this lively underwater world, Lizard Island Resort can arrange diving trips out to the heart of the barrier reef. There are also night dives and diving tuition available for guests.
Regardless which tour you choose, you'll be rewarded with pristine water and extraordinary sea life.
For a more relaxing experience, head to the resort's Pavilion Spa for a head massage. The massage costs $70 for 45 minutes and is pure bliss.
Then there's Osprey's Restaurant - an open verandah restaurant overlooking the beach and ocean. Here the finest local produce is showcased with an emphasis on local seafood and lush tropical fruits. Gourmet picnic hampers for beachside outings are also available.
With all this swimming, snorkelling, lazing about, massaging and eating, you'll be tempted to study the art of 'lizardism' full time!
The facts
Qantas flies to Cairns daily from all capital cities. Prices start from $858 from Perth and $501 from Sydney.
Macair Airlines flies from Cairns to Lizard Island daily. Return prices are from $499.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Lizard Island resort has 40 luxury suites and villas, starting from $740 per person per night, including all meals and most activities.
P & O Australian Resorts
Tel: 1800 737 678
