QUEENSLAND
NOTE: Much of the content for Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island is sourced from and copyright of Dive Adventures Australia. Much of the content for Townsville is sourced from and copyright of Prodive Townsville.
- Lady Elliot Island
- Heron Island
- Wreck of SS Yongala
- Wreck of Ex - HMAS Brisbane
Lady Elliot Island
- one of Grant's favourite dive destinations in Queensland
Click on the map to go to the Lady Elliot website
One of the top dive and snorkelling sites in the world, Lady Elliot Island is the southern most coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Step off the beach and snorkel, swim or scuba dive in the world's richest marine eco-system. A true island paradise, Lady Elliot Island is a popular destination for families and leisure groups keen to explore this rich marine eco-system
Lady Elliot Island lies 80 kilometres north east of Bundaberg, and is easily accessible by daily flights that land at the island’s own airstrip. A limited number of guests are allowed on the island at any one time.
The moment you step onto the island, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. Formed over 3000 years this beautiful coral cay is home to 57 species of birds, nesting sea turtles and a stunning underwater world of coral formations and diverse marine life.
On Lady Elliot Island, you set the pace. You can bury your nose in a good book on a stretch of deserted beach, go diving with one of our qualified dive instructors, or explore the island and visit the main landmark, the Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse, one of the first built in Australia using a timber framed substructure and cast iron external cladding.
How to get to Bundaberg
At the centre of the sugar cane country is Bundaberg or Bundy as it is more fondly known. Lady Elliot Island is just a short 25 minute flight from this township, famous for its 110+ year old rum distillery.
By Air: Qantas link operate daily flights connecting Bundaberg to Brisbane.
Scuba Diving on Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island offers a great diversity of uncrowded, easily accessible dive locations to experience the biggest coral reef system in the world.
At Lady Elliot Island, our dive staff personally escort all dives. Two dives per day are scheduled per day with optional night dives also available. The best part is that we cater for divers of all abilities.
Here is a taste of what you will find diving Lady Elliot Island, on the Great Barrier Reef:
THE BLOW HOLE - DEPTH 25M: This popular site is on the eastern side of the island. It has two entrances. One on the top of the reef at 14-16 metres, just a short distance from the mooring. The main entrance however is on the reef wall and is a large opening at 20-25 metres. The main cavern is around 20 metres in length. This is a superb dive site with Lion Fish, Manta Shrimp, Wobbegongs and the unique Gnome Fish seen in the area.
LIGHTHOUSE BOMMIE - DEPTH 14-15M: Lighthouse Bommie is a set of coral heads approximately 100 metres off shore and is conducted as either a Boat or Shore dive. A rope trail has been laid from an easy shore entry to the bommies. It is a favourite haunt all year round for Manta Rays; some four metres from tip to tip. The site also plays host to a variety of marine life such as Moray Eels, Bull Rays, Schooling Barracuda, Coral Trout, Small White Tip Reef Sharks and others too numerous to mention.
THREE PYRAMIDS - DEPTH 18M: The Three Pyramids is a short boat ride from the western side of the island. An easy decent can be made down a permanent mooring and puts the diver almost on top of the first of three large coral heads (bommies). At this site you will find schools of Cardinals, Anemone Fish, Turtles and Eagle Rays. The Three Pyramids is a great starting point for a drift dive to the Anchor Bommies or the Outer Scatters depending on the direction of the current.
ANCHOR BOMMIES - DEPTH 21M: This site is one of Lady Elliot Island's premium dive locations. Two ancient Admiralty anchors lie at the bottom of the site. Marine life that can be seen here include Manta Rays, Purple Leafy Scorpion Fish, Cleaner Shrimp and a large Shovelled Nosed Ray. This bommie is covered with both soft and hard corals.
CORAL GARDENS - DEPTH 12M: This is an extremely good night dive site. All types of marine life can be observed as they slumber, while night dwellers such as the Painted Cray can be found out of their day time hiding place.
ENCOUNTERS - DEPTH 6-14M: This is an amazing coral dive with large plate and staghorn sections, and explosive fish action. A fantastic drift dive for late in the afternoon. At times a large number of Manta Rays can be seen in this area. It is also populated with schools of Rabbit fish, Red throat and Spangled Emperor. It is also not uncommon to be accompanied on this dive by a pair of sizeable Blue Angelfish or Moorish Idols.
The island offers four unique styles of accommodation - all exhibits a casual atmosphere - free of the usual distractions of working life - no TVs, radios or telephones.
Accommodation:
ISLAND SUITES x (5)
One (1) and Two Bedroom (4) Beachfront accommodation.
These units accommodate up to
Four adults in 2 bedroom suites & 2 adults in 1 bedroom suite (rollaway for a child is available). Separate bedroom and lounge area.
Amenities:
Facilities include tea/coffee making facilities. Mini-fridge, air conditioning and private bathroom.
REEF ROOMS x (21)
Most Reef Rooms are furnished with a double bed and two bunk beds, making them ideal for families. The majority of reef Units are less than 10 metres from the beach. All linen supplied and changed every third day.
Amenities:
Facilities include tea/coffee making facilities, verandah, mini-fridge and private bathroom.
SHEARWATER ROOMS x (3)
Suitable for large families and groups of friends, Shearwater rooms can sleep up to six people in bunk-style single beds. Rooms are set in the gardens, located approximately 30 metres from the beach. All linen supplied and changed every third day.
Amenities:
All Shearwater rooms have aprivate bathroom and wall fans.
TENT CABINS x (11)
Permanent safari-style tents offer all the comforts of home with four bunk beds, polished timber floors, full power and lighting. All linen supplied and changed every third day.
Amenities:
Communal bathrooms are located no more than 30 meters away.
Activities on Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island facilities include:
- Lagoon Bar
- Dining Room
- Cafe Bistro
- Resort Shop
- PADI Resort Dive Shop
- Salt Water Pool
- Beach Volley Ball Court
- Conference Room (seating for 50)
- Hot/Cold Showers and Change Room for day guests
- Activities Centre (including library and marine creature displays).
Things to do on the island:
Reef Walking:
At low tide, you can venture all the way to the reef edge. You'll see a multitude of marine life as an experienced guide introduces you to the reef eco-system.
Nature Walks:
Guided walks around the island introduce you to natural wonders of the beach and lagoon, the bird rookery, the lighthouse and the historical artefacts left behind by the guano miners.
Fish Feeding:
A multitude of reef fish appear at the "fish pool" everyday and our activities officer will show you how to hand feed them.
Slide Shows & Evening Lectures:
Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and Lady Elliot Island during our evening presentations in the Reef Education Centre.
Seasonal Events:
Turtle Nesting
November to February
Every year, green and loggerhead turtles return to the island to start a new life cycle. At sunset, they clamber up the beach around the Resort to dig deep pits where they lay between 80 and 180 eggs.
Turtle Hatching
February to April
At the end of the nesting season, we watch again as hundreds of baby turtles make their way to the water.
Whale Migration
June to October
Lady Elliot Island is just to the north of Hervey Bay which has become a popular breeding ground for humpbacks. In the past two years, killer and Minke whales have been sighted in the waters off Lady Elliot Island.
Bird Nesting
October to April
The island is a breeding and nesting ground for many species of tropical seabirds and wading birds.
Coral Spawning
November to December
Coral spawning is a spectacular, mass-synchronised event not known in any other part of the animal kingdom. In late spring and early summer, the coral polyps release their eggs and sperm which float to the surface in a dense cloud of pink, red, orange and sometimes purple micro-organisms.
All Year Round
Our star attractions visit all year round: The manta rays, the turtles, the resident seabirds, the huge variety of tropical fish, the anemones, the starfish, the clams and the moray eels
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There are a number of dive operators in Townsville and on nearby Magnetic Island. All offer day trips and a range of live aboard trips to the outer reef and wreck of the SS Yongala. Try the links below for more information on diving Grant's favourite part of the Queensland coast:
www.prodivetownsville.com.au
www.pleasuredivers.com.au
www.adrenalindive.com.au
www.divecruisetravel.com.au
www.remoteareadive.com.au
www.yongaladive.com.au
TOWNSVILLE is the starting point for diving expeditions to the historic Yongala Wreck. Rated as the best wreck dive in Australia, the Yongala, located in 28 m of water, is an incredible dive that is guaranteed to exhilarate any diving enthusiast.
Everything is big – big fish, big schools, big wreck.
The Yongala was a luxury vessel making her way from Melbourne to Townville when in 1911 she sank during a cyclone with the loss of all 121 passengers and crew on board.
The 110m hull and deck are completely intact and protected by the Historic Shipwreck Act. Altering or removing artefacts is strictly prohibited. As a result, wreckage such as chairs, port holes, lights, bottles and human remains are still visible, providing for a fascinating dive.
However, the Yongala is most famous for the abundant marine life. It is often said that you will see more marine life on one dive on the Yongala Wreck than you will on half a dozen dives on the reef. Big schools of giant Trevally and barracuda cruise the wreck. Giant grouper, bull rays, schools of eagle rays, sea snakes, turtles, large coral trout, sharks and schools of colourful tropical fish patrol the length of the wreck. Hiding inside are large cod and schools of small fish and hawk fish sneak out and take a peek.
For the invertebrate enthusiast, the wreck is covered in hard and soft corals, anemones and a diverse range of crustaceans and molluscs including giant murex and nudibranchs. During the winter months, the calls of the migrating whales can be heard and occasionally seen around the wreck.
The Yongala Wreck is a ‘must do’ on your list of dive sites in Australia. Very few dive sites in the world have as much to offer as the Yongala and all who experience this incredible dive comment that it is one dive that will remain in their memories forever.
Image of the Wreck - Copyright Pro Dive Townsville
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