Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Lady Elliot Day Trip ex Bundaberg

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A 30 to 40 minute scenic flight from Bundaberg or Hervey Bay lands you on Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, for six to seven hours of snorkelling with turtles and manta rays, a glass-bottom boat, a buffet lunch and guided walks. Flights, snorkel gear and reef fees are all included.

Days

Full day, from 8:10am or 8:40am to late afternoon

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared day trip with island guides

Start / finish

Bundaberg or Hervey Bay Airport / Lady Elliot Island / your airport
Return flight leaves the island at 4pm

Return

Return flight leaves the island at 4pm

Transport

Return scenic flight in a light aircraft

Meals

Hot and cold buffet lunch, welcome drink

Route

Map of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Lady Elliot Day Trip ex Bundaberg

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Included experiences

Scenic flight — reef views between Bundaberg and the island
Glass-bottom boat — coral gardens and reef fish from above
Guided snorkel — turtles, reef fish and possibly manta rays
Lagoon — snorkel with green and hawksbill turtles near high tide
Reef walk — guided walk across the reef flat at low tide
Beachfront Dining Room — hot and cold buffet lunch

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Lady Elliot Day Trip ex Bundaberg

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: THE FLIGHT TO THE REEF

Your day starts at the airport in Bundaberg, home of Bundaberg Rum since 1888, or in Hervey Bay, where humpback whales rest in the bay each winter, depending on the option you book. Check in at the counter 30 minutes before the morning flight, bringing one light backpack of up to 4kg, which rides on your lap or in the hold. The small plane flies for about half an hour, with the coast falling away behind you, then the reef appearing as patches of turquoise and finally Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, with its own grass airstrip.

LATE MORNING: SETTLING IN AND THE REEF TOUR

A guide meets the plane with a welcome drink and walks you round the island. Lady Elliot was named after a ship, the Lady Elliot, which sighted it in 1816, and its white lighthouse has stood here since 1873. At the day guest area you collect a mask, snorkel, fins and short wetsuit, plus reef shoes, a towel and sunscreen, with a lesson if you need one. Then comes the combined glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel tour: coral gardens seen through the hull, then into the water with a guide among reef fish. Turtles live here all year, and manta rays are most common from June to September.

MIDDAY: LUNCH ON THE BEACHFRONT

Lunch is a hot and cold buffet in the Beachfront Dining Room, with drinks other than your welcome drink at your own cost. It's a good moment to watch the seabirds. Lady Elliot was stripped bare by guano mining in the 1800s, and decades of replanting have brought back the casuarinas and pisonia trees where thousands of noddy terns now nest. Ask the staff about the island's environmental work while you eat: it runs on solar power, and the island is in a green zone of the marine park, where fishing is banned.

AFTERNOON: GUIDED ACTIVITY, LAGOON AND HOME

After lunch, join one of the island's guided activities, such as a reef walk when the tide is low, or go back in the water on your own. The lagoon is open about two hours either side of high tide (the times are on the Activities board), entering at Channel One or the Fish Pool, where green and hawksbill turtles often graze close by. From November to March turtles come ashore to nest, and hatchlings scramble for the sea from February to April. At 4pm the plane leaves for the mainland, landing back where you started 30 to 40 minutes later.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: From Bundaberg: Lady Elliot Island/QantasLink check-in counter, Bundaberg Airport, 30 minutes before departure. From Hervey Bay: Hervey Bay Airport.
Departure time: The flight departs Bundaberg at about 8:40am, or Hervey Bay at 8:10am.
Finishes: The return flight leaves the island at 4pm, landing in Bundaberg about 4:30pm or back in Hervey Bay in the late afternoon.
Fitness: Leisurely. Snorkel gear and a lesson if needed are provided, and the glass-bottom boat lets you see the reef without getting wet.
Suits: All ages, including families with young children. Disabled access is available on the island; tell us your needs when you book.
Please note: Day guests may carry only 4kg each, in one light backpack, held on your lap or in the baggage hold (there are no overhead lockers). Flight times vary with weather, aircraft type and a possible transit stop, and lagoon snorkelling and the reef walk depend on the tide.

What to bring

Swimsuit
Comfortable walking shoes or crocs (reef shoes can be borrowed on the island)
Hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera
Water bottle
Everything in one light backpack, 4kg at most

What is included

Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island from Bundaberg (about 30 minutes each way) or Hervey Bay (about 40 minutes each way)
Welcome drink and island orientation tour
Combined glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel tour
Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and short wetsuit) and a lesson if needed
Hot and cold buffet lunch
Afternoon guided activity
Towels, sunscreen and reef walking shoes
Use of day guest facilities
Environmental management charge and fuel levy

Not included

Beverages other than the welcome drink
Locker hire
Wifi (paid)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I did the day trip from Hervey Bay and it was fantastic, well organised and clearly explained. I wanted as much time in the water as I could get, and the day-guest activities made that easy. The short glass-bottom boat ride with a snorkel is brilliant.

Daniel Hendy Verified· Travelled 28th August 2026

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(5/5)

We only did the day tour, with return flights from Hervey Bay, a locker, shower, lunch and all the snorkel gear including a prescription mask. You can snorkel three spots yourself or take the boat out, and the coral and sea life were our best ever. Lunch was just okay but the desserts were great. We waited an hour for our boat slot, and note that day guests can only snorkel, not dive.

Mario Bonin Verified· Travelled 24th March 2025

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(5/5)

We flew out of Bundaberg for the day, a smooth flight to a breathtaking island. After a lagoon snorkel with our first turtle, the included glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel with Liz showed us turtles, a white-tip reef shark and loads of fish. The burger lunch was the best buffet of all our reef trips, and the extra snorkel safari with Richard and Brooke brought a manta, eagle rays and dolphins. Book extras early. Our best reef day yet.

Fawwaz Rosan Shah Verified· Travelled 5th November 2024

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