Dyiigurra as it was known to the Dingaal Aboriginal people is our very own Lizard Island of today. The northern most islands (situated on the Great Barrier Reef), Lizard Island is located 27 km off the north Queensland coast and 240 kms north of Cairns. The explorations of Captain Cook in 1770 led him to Lizard Island where he anchored in one of the bays of the island and climbed up to the top of the hill to find a way out of the reef maze where he had found himself trapped. The place is now called Cook's Look ?the highest peak in Lizard Island which is 359 metres.

Captain Cook found a large number of lizards on the island and that is how the island got its name. In Captain Cook's words ?The only land animals we saw here were lizards and these seemed to be plenty which occasioned my naming the island Lizard Island?.

The island was initially inhabited by beche de mer (sea cucumber) fishermen as they found an abundance of it in this region.

The island covering more than 1000 hectares and home to 24 lovely sandy beaches and a lagoon (the blue lagoon) was declared a national park in the year 1939. Lizard Island has a tropical climate with average annual temperature of about 27 deg Celsius. The island is a popular holiday destination as it provides the perfect ambience for a holiday close to nature.

One can indulge in a number of activities while enjoying the natural beauty of the region. Swimming, bush walking, diving and snorkelling are activities that one would enjoy doing here. The long walks alongside nature are simply out of this world. The walk up Cook's Look is definitely worth it and the view from the top is simply mind-blowing. A tour on the turquoise waters on the glass bottom boat would be a splendid experience to take a peek into the marine flora and fauna of the region. Camping can be yet another wonderful option to explore the virgin beauty of Lizard Island. Tourists would require a prior permit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Cairns, for camping.

The island has one of the most important reef research stations in the world and plays host to a number of marine biologists who come here to study the region. Some important work on marine research is being carried on out here. For those interested in marine flora and fauna, this is a great opportunity to take a look at the discoveries of these researchers and share their experiences.

The island is accessible by air from Cairns which is at a distance of about 240 kms. There are flights that can be chartered as well. The flight to Lizard Island from Cairns takes about an hour.

Accommodation is available at Lizard Island. There are accommodations to suit all pockets and tastes. There are several restaurants here that cater to the different palates.

The Lizard island holiday is an unforgettable experience making you look forward to your next visit here.

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