Lady Elliot Island

There is an Environmental Management Charge of $6.50/person/day, usually included in the airfare and accommodation price, sometimes added on top of it. Either way, if you go with the resort or a tour operator, you'll just need to pay them and they'll handle the paperwork.

If you travel independently (by your own vessel) you need to deal with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in person. This entails registering with them, and filling in a digital logbook of your trips around the Great Barrier Reef. If you don't plan to visit several places around the reef, it's probably less hassle just going with a tour company.

Everywhere on the island is accessible by foot. You can walk the length of the island in 15 minutes, and walk around it in around 30 minutes.

The walking tracks are sand formed, and not paved, and may present some difficulty to people with wheelchairs or a disability. There are buggies available to staff, but are not hired. It is occasionally possible to hitch a ride with a staff member going your direction.

• 🌍 The lighthouse. The old lighthouse still stands on the island, but it is no longer in use. The actual light comes from the unattractive light bulb on a steel tower right next to the original structure. A small cemetery, including the graves of the lighthouse keepers wife and daughter are nearby. The residences used by the light keepers are now converted into staff residences, and are inaccessible to visitors who take notice of the signs, but can be seen from the path, and from the air 
• The power scheme. If you are fed up with nature, take a look at the solid/diesel power scheme that keeps the place running. The solar panels are by the runway, the diesel generator underneath. The island desalinates its own water for showers and human consumption. 

• Snorkelling. The best snorkelling is between Coral Gardens and the Lighthouse. You can enter the water at one and snorkel to the other. Check the current current direction at the Dive Shop if you want to know which way will be easiest. There are cut-outs of the reef at both locations to allow exit and entry to the water at low tide (high tide is easy off the beach). Don't forget to drop your reef shoes at your exit point. Hundreds of species of tropical fish can be seen, as well as many Green and Hawksbill turtles. Reef Sharks (harmless) and Manta Rays. You can also snorkel in the lagoon 2 hours either side of the high tide. 
• Scuba Diving. Scuba diving can be arranged by the Dive Shop if staying on the island, but you can't dive on the day you are flying in or the day you are flying out, so plan accordingly. Other operators run dive trips to the reef from the coastal towns. In addition to beautiful corals, fish and other underwater life, there's also a wreck just outside the Second Reef, west of the island; the Severance, that sunk in 1999. 

• Glass-bottom boating. Trips runs daily, several times if demand requires it. Take your snorkelling equipment to dive off the boat. 
• Reef Walking. Reef walking can be done at low tide in the lagoon. Reef walking shoes are provided. 
• Fish Feeding. 3PM daily at the fish pool, if you want the fish to come to you. 
• Bird Watching. Birds are top of the food chain at Lady Elliot, and as a result they are there in abundance. Over 100 species can be seen on the island. An umbrella comes in handy. 
• Swimming. There is small salt-water pool as part of the resort, but it is not inspiring. Ocean swimming is possible in some areas, but can be difficult because of the corals and rocks, particularly a low tide. Deck chairs are scattered around the beaches. 

There is a small shop on the island, open until 4PM daily. It sells gifts, souvenirs, ice-creams, drinks, etc.

There is a choice of buffet lunch ($20 pp) or sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips ($12). Dinner and breakfast are included in room tariffs.

Don't expect a large buffet spread for dinner, it is all fairly basic, steak, fish, chicken, vegetables and salad, with a vegetarian hot dish as well.

There is a bar on the island, but the nightlife is quiet, and the bar closes early. There is a free pool table and ping-pong table. They mix cocktails, including the a creamy chocolate special celebrating Susannah McKee, the wife of the lighthouse keeper, who supposedly committed suicide on the island, unable to handle the isolation.

There is accommodation on the island, all administered by the resort under a lease. Permanent tents ("Eco-huts" in marketing speak) are erected, which have solid doors, solid floors, and canvas around the sides. Other basic cabins and rooms with bathrooms sleeping up to six are available.

Room rates start from $132 pp for a 6-share bed in the cabins (that were left behind by the previous activities on the island), rising to around $300 pp for a twin share room. Eco-huts (permanent tents, with floors) cost around $149 quad-share. Rates include buffet dinner and breakfast.

An Internet terminal is in the reception building, a small fee applies to use it. A satellite phone is available in the departure lounge, operated by Telstra. It requires a Telstra Phonecard for operation, and these are on sale at the shop. There is no mobile (cell) phone reception on the island.

Stonefish have venomous spines and settle on the reef, and rely on being still and camouflaged. Always wear reef shoes or fins when entering the water to avoid danger. Cone shells can cause death. Don't pick anything up that looks like a cone. Seek urgent medical advice if stung.

Fire coral can cause irritation on the hands if you touch it. Sea cucumbers fire sticky threads if you pick them up - and you will need to remove them and wash your hands if you do.

Bull Rays are timid, and generally lie on the bottom of the reef. They have a barb in their tail they can use if threatened.

Reef sharks are timid and harmless. Manta Rays have no barb.

There are four red lights at either end of the runway, and at the crossing point by reception. Don't cross, and leave the runway area if the lights are flashing.

Back to the mainland, if you've arrived by plane. If you've arrived in your own boat it's up to yourself.