Anchorage: Lizard Island QLD A Great Barrier Reef island northeast of Cairns, surrounded by white sand beaches sliding into outrageously coloured coral gardens. |
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| History....Voyages Resort....Fishing....Diving & Snorkelling....Research Station Cooks Look is perhaps the most well known feature on Lizard Island.Captain James Cook ascended the highest peak on the island, 359mt above seal level to find a way out of the maze of reefs that make up the reefs we now know as The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.It is a popular, somewhat challenging walk for visitors and is highly recommended. The view from the summit is simply sensational. It is easy from here to imagine Cooks' frustration at not being able to find a safe passage for his Endeavour. Cook named the island after the large Monitor lizards that are frequently seen basking on the powder soft beach sand. |
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| 110 years after Cooks' visit, a group of intrepid entrepreneurs arrived at Lizard Island, intent on harvesting the prolific beche-de-mer (sea slug) found in the tropical waters.The wife of one of these fishermen, Mary Watson, and her servants were ambushed by local Aborigines.Keeping the marauding Aborigines at bay with her gun, Mrs Watson, her baby and the lone surviving servant launched themselves into the sea in a beche-de-mer boiling tub in a desperate attempt at escape.At the mercy of the trade winds, they eventually perished from thirst on what we now call Watson Island.Remains of Mrs Watson's House still stand on the beachfront at Lizard Island. Multi award winning Voyages Lizard Island Resort offers luxury seclusion in just 40 suites.Tucked in behind one of the 24 beaches on the island, the resort pampers guests (in a child free environment) with an all-inclusive tariff including fine wine and food.Boaties are welcome to utilise the beachfront Marlin Bar when it is open. |
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| Game fishermen travel from around the world, particularly between August and November, in search of the biggest and most exciting game fish: the black marlin. Snorkellers and divers are equally enchanted by vibrantly coloured coral reefs. With their gently swaying fronds and kaleidoscopic colours, coral reefs and fluroescent coloured tropical fish darting around the coral provide ample entertainment for surface hovering snorkellers. Mrs Watsons Bay offers an easily accessible snorkel site at the Giant Clam Garden beneath the cliffs. Lizard Island Research Station was established during the early 1970s, instigated by US philanthropists Henry and Jacqueline Loomis. The philosophy behind the station then, as now, is to provide facilities for coral reef research and education. Anchorage Approaching from the NW, the bay has a large reef outcrop in the middle, marked with white GBRMPA buoys.Anchorage can be taken over good holding sand anywhere NE of the reef, avoiding the odd bombie as the shore closes.The large peak of Cooks Look can generate fairly strong bullets that race down into the anchorage. Anchorage location: Lat 14deg 40S Long 145deg 27E |
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TRAVEL…..BOATING…..LIFESTYLE….. All information contained on this site should be used in conjunction with current official charts. Despite a high degree of confidence that all information was accurate at time of publishing, AMG accepts no responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies.If you discover incorrect facts please Email us. All material and images appearing on this website are copyright to Australian Marinas Guide and may not be reproduced without the written permission of AMG.www.marinasguide.com.au | |||||||||||||||||
