Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Great Barrier Reef Day Tour ex Brisbane (Redcliffe)

Map View Full Details Reviews

An all-inclusive day trip from Brisbane to Lady Elliot Island, a coral cay on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, seeing the reef from the air as well as from above and below the water in one day.

Days

Full day, about 6:30am to 4:15pm

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Brisbane / Brisbane
Your Brisbane hotel, about 4:15pm

Return

Your Brisbane hotel, about 4:15pm

Transport

Hotel transfer to Redcliffe, then a return scenic flight to the island

Meals

Light breakfast in flight, buffet lunch with drinks, afternoon tea

Route

Map of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Great Barrier Reef Day Tour ex Brisbane (Redcliffe)

View map

Included experiences

Scenic flight — Moreton, Stradbroke and Fraser islands from the air
Lady Elliot Island — orientation tour
Great Barrier Reef — glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel
Reef — turtles, manta rays and coral
Island restaurant — buffet lunch with prawns
Afternoon guided island activity

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Great Barrier Reef Day Tour ex Brisbane (Redcliffe)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: BRISBANE TO REDCLIFFE

It's an early start, with pick-up from your hotel in the Brisbane CBD or Redcliffe at around 6:30am. The transfer runs north to Redcliffe, where Queensland's European story began, as a convict settlement in 1824, before it moved up the river to Brisbane a year later. At Redcliffe Aerodrome you board the small plane for the scenic flight north, with a light breakfast served on board. Pack light: one small backpack each is the rule on these day tours, and it travels on your lap or in the hold.

THE FLIGHT: SAND ISLANDS AND THE REEF

The flight is a sightseeing trip in itself. Below you slide Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Moreton Island, two of the world's largest sand islands, then K'gari (Fraser Island), at 123 km long the largest of them all, and World Heritage-listed since 1992. Then the water turns turquoise as the reef begins, and finally Lady Elliot Island comes into view, the southernmost coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, with its own grass airstrip. It was named after the ship Lady Elliot, which sighted it in 1816.

ON THE ISLAND: REEF, LUNCH AND LAGOON

You have about five hours on the island. A guide greets you with a welcome drink and a short orientation walk past the 1873 lighthouse, then fits you out with mask, snorkel, fins, short wetsuit, reef shoes and a towel. The glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel tour takes you over coral gardens and into the water among reef fish, with a good chance of turtles, dolphins and the resident manta rays. Lunch is a hot and cold buffet with fresh prawns and wine, beer or soft drinks in the Beachfront Dining Room. Afterwards, join a guided activity, watch the fish feeding or snorkel the lagoon with green turtles.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO BRISBANE

At 2:30pm the plane leaves the island for the scenic flight back down the coast to Redcliffe, with afternoon tea of bottled water and a biscuit served on board. Take one last look at the sand islands from the other side of the plane, and on a clear afternoon the long white beaches of K'gari and Moreton seem to go on for ever. A transfer then returns you to your hotel at about 4:15pm, with the whole of the reef seen from the air, from a boat and from under the water in a single day.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Brisbane CBD or Redcliffe hotels for the transfer to Redcliffe airstrip.
Departure time: About 6:30am hotel pick-up.
Finishes: About 4:15pm back at your hotel, after a 2:30pm flight from the island.
Fitness: Moderate.
Please note: Flight times vary with the weather, aircraft type and any transit stop.

What to bring

Swimsuit
Comfortable, casual walking shoes
Hat
Sunscreen
Camera

What is included

Return scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island (1 hour 30 minutes)
Welcome drink and orientation tour
Glass-bottom boat and guided snorkel tour
Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and short wetsuit)
Hot and cold buffet lunch with wine, beer or soft drinks
Light breakfast and afternoon tea in flight
Afternoon guided activity
Towels, sunscreen and reef walking shoes
Use of day guest facilities
Hotel transfers for guests staying in the Brisbane CBD or Redcliffe

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 1 review

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)

A bucket-list day. A driver took us from Brisbane to Redcliffe, and the pilot pointed out sights on the flight. Our guide Yuji was full of information on the island and its eco work, and as novice swimmers we loved how patiently he towed each of us around the reef. The glass-bottom boat and snorkelling were the highlight, with turtles close by.

Nirixa Patel Verified· Travelled 23rd June 2026

Read original ↗