Lady Elliot Island and the southern reef
Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island lie in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, a long way from the tour ports of Cairns and Airlie Beach. The two islands use different routes: Lady Elliot by small plane, Heron by boat from Gladstone. If you want a one-day trip from the north instead, see our guide to Great Barrier Reef tours.
Lady Elliot Island is reached through the resort, which organises the flights. Travelling by your own boat is not practical. That makes the island a destination you plan around its flights, not a casual stop.
Getting to Lady Elliot Island
Return fares in the 2026/27 season. Fuel surcharges are included.
| Departure | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Bundaberg or Hervey Bay | A$540 | A$390 |
| Brisbane (Redcliffe) or Gold Coast | A$1,035 | A$700 |
The fares are valid until 28 or 31 March 2027, so check the exact date before you book a trip at the end of that month. Flights are booked together with accommodation. Do not assume that the flight is included in a room price. Our guide to where to stay covers other bases, and getting there explains how to reach Queensland.
The lowest fares leave from Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. If you plan a longer trip, Hervey Bay is also the mainland base for K'gari, which has its own guide.
Our pick: a southern reef day trip
Our take: Lady Musgrave Island is another coral cay on the southern reef and is reached by boat, so this trip suits a day on the southern reef without a flight.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Great Barrier Reef tours and day trips
Day trips, snorkeling and reef experiences along the Queensland coast, with live prices and availability.
Turtles on Lady Elliot Island
Turtles build nests on the beach from November to March, and the young usually hatch from February to April. If you visit in that season, follow the rules: no torches on the beach at night, no touching the hatchlings and no carrying them to the water yourself.
Visibility at the island averages over 20 m. That is an average for the location and not a promise for any day.
Heron Island
Heron Island lies about 72 km off Gladstone and is reached by boat. The crossing takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. The boat leaves Gladstone at 9:30 a.m., and the return service leaves at 12:45 p.m. There is no service on Tuesdays and Thursdays or on Christmas Day. Adults pay A$99 and children aged 3 to 12 pay A$80 each way (2026). The transfer is charged on top of your accommodation.
If you drive to Gladstone, secured parking costs A$17 a day undercover or A$14 a day in the open, and the operator recommends booking ahead.
Green and loggerhead turtles nest on Heron Island from November to March, and the first hatchlings appear from early January. Do not carry the Lady Elliot dates over to Heron. The two islands run on their own calendars.
Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island compared
The islands share a coast but not a way in.
| Lady Elliot Island | Heron Island | |
|---|---|---|
| How you arrive | Small charter plane | Boat from Gladstone |
| Mainland departure | Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Brisbane (Redcliffe), Gold Coast | Gladstone |
| Travel time | Varies by departure | About 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Price (2026) | A$540 adult return from Bundaberg or Hervey Bay | A$99 per adult each way |
| Turtle nesting | November to March | November to March |
For most visitors Lady Elliot Island is the easier choice if you are already in Bundaberg or Hervey Bay, and Heron Island suits those who drive to Gladstone. Both need planning, so book flights and boats before you finalise the rest of your trip. For reef-protection rules and stinger safety, read our snorkeling guide.
Looking after the reef around the islands
The same rules apply at the southern islands as everywhere on the reef:
- Do not touch corals or animals, and do not stand on or lean on coral.
- Do not chase animals or block their path. Keep away from turtles.
- Pass giant clams at a distance of more than 1 m.
- Do not take dead coral without the right permission.
Plan the reef day itself with our guide to snorkeling, and read about the state of the reef on the page about coral bleaching.
Lady Elliot Island: frequently asked questions
How do you get to Lady Elliot Island?
By small charter plane. The resort organises regular tourist access, and travelling by boat is not practical. There is no regular ferry.
How much is the flight to Lady Elliot Island?
In the 2026/27 season a return flight from Bundaberg or Hervey Bay costs A$540 for adults and A$390 for children. From Brisbane (Redcliffe) or the Gold Coast it is A$1,035 and A$700. Fuel surcharges are included.
When do turtles nest on Lady Elliot Island?
Nesting runs from November to March and hatching usually from February to April. Do not use torches on the beach at night and do not touch the hatchlings.
How long is the boat trip to Heron Island?
About 2 to 2.5 hours from Gladstone, 72 km away. The boat does not run on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Christmas Day.
Is this the official website of Lady Elliot Island?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to a resort, a reef authority or a tour operator.