Page 16 - Southern Exposure- June '23

Page 16, Southern Exposure

travel

Home Of The Goanna: Australia’s Lizard Island

Previously submitted by the late Don Kiselewski, MCC, D.S., Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders

Roaming freely on research documents produced from studies
Australia’s northern-most conducted at the facility.
island of the Great Barrier Without a doubt, the waters around Lizard
Reef is the monitor lizard. Island are among the world’s best for divers.
Goannas, as the species is The ribbon reefs and the famous Cod Hole,
called by Australians, are with its giant potato cod, are just a few of its
members of the Varanus highlights. The giant cods of the ocean have
genus. These reptiles provide gotten used to divers over the past 30 years and
the unique background for now gather in the crystal clear water of the Cod
this 1,000-hector island Hole, all to the wonderment and enjoyment of
located some 150 miles north the scuba divers who have come to visit. It’s no wonder that
of Cairns and 18 miles east Lizard Island has become a national park.
of the York Peninsula on The waters around the islands also have another distinction
mainland Australia. Chances as being one of the world’s best places for black marlin
are very likely that you will fishing. These monsters of the sea can weigh up to nearly a
come in contact with one ton! I tried my hand with this sport and learned the way the
of these bizarre creatures professionals do it. On the way to the fishing ground, light
should you be fortunate tackle is used to catch the yard-long fish that will later be
enough to stay on the island. used as bait in fishing for the giant marlins. Bait on heavy
Lizard Island is only two tackle line is then used to troll through the fishing grounds.
and a half miles from north During my adventure, a black marlin took the bait and came
to south and less than two miles east to west. The island has directly out of the water behind our boat, promptly spitting
two high ridges that are separated by a narrow valley running it out of its mouth. Our boat’s mate estimated the weight to
between in a north/south direction, where the landing strip is be around 500 pounds. Too much fish for a pan!
located. The highest of the ridges is over 1,000 feet above sea As a national park, Australia is very protective of the
level and known as Cook’s Lookout, after British explorer, island’s turf. In fact, it wasn’t until 1967 that the government Today, Lizard Island Resort has grown in opulence to
Captain James Cook. The famous sea captain scaled the decided to allow inhabitants on the island. At that time, become one of the most luxurious travel destinations in the
eastern ridge of the island in August of 1770 to plot a chart Sir Sydney William assembled a group of investors and world. With 40 ultra-luxurious suites and full resort facilities,
of the treacherous reefs lying to the south. From this vantage successfully outbid the competition to construct a tourist complemented by five star dining, who could ever want more?
point one can see the 24 white sand beaches surrounding the resort on this island. There are no private homes on the island, It’s definitely one of those places where the rich and famous
island, all of which are perfect for snorkeling. and no other structures other than those connected with the hang out. Even those who cruise to Lizard Island are not
The island is completely surrounded by fringe reefs. resort and research station. allowed to visit the resort, and no outsiders are allowed to use
Those on the south side are well developed and run between Part of the negotiation was to construct a landing strip to the resort or its facilities … no matter how big their yacht!
Lizard Island and three other nearby islands to the north and allow flights from the mainland to shuttle guests to and from Should you be looking for one of the world’s greatest dive
south (Palfrey, South and Bird). The area between the four Cairns. This is still the only scheduled way to reach the island. spots, crystal clear snorkeling, secluded white sand beaches
islands is called the Blue Lagoon and reaches a depth of 35 In 1972 the airstrip was utilized by the royal flying doctors to or fishing for the great black marlin, Lizard Island is the place
feet. The reefs near Palfrey Island are protected due to the evacuate a crewman from a game fishing boat who had been for you. Don’t go just to see the goannas. They’re ugly!
establishment of a research station currently engaged in an speared near the heart by a black marlin. Lizard Island is just The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
extensive study of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The station north of the reef where Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the
was established in 1973 and is located on the east side of the had his fatal accident involving a stingray. oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens
island, appropriately named Research Point. In 1973, Brisbane architect Colin Tannett was commissioned Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
The research station on Lizard Island differs from others to design the resort facilities that comprise the Lizard Island located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
located along the Great Barrier Reef in that it is not funded Resort. He lived in the rough of the island for three weeks to Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
by the Australian government, but rather by the scientific get the feel of the island and to develop the functionality of the has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida area
community. About 60 research projects are carried out each property. His only prerequisite was that the buildings have an for over a quarter of a century. Contact them at (561) 694-
year by scientists and post graduate students from Australia Australian homestead veranda, which was accomplished most 9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
and other parts of the world. There have been over 600 adequately in the final design and construction. Photos by Don Kiselewski

Family owned & operated since 1988

Tracey Eller visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa
during her Mediterranean Cruise. Give us a call so
we can help you plan your adventure to an Italian
city you have always wanted to experience.
We are located at 11360 N. Jog Road, Bldg. A, Suite 102-6
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 Info@PBGTravel.com
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(561) 694-9696
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