From the river to the reef: 48 hours in Brisbane and Lady Elliot Island

There’s one name that’s been on every local’s lips since it opened in 2018: Howard Smith Wharves. And it’s the place to spend your evening to soak up city skyline views, a riverfront location, and some of the city’s finest bars and restaurants.

Sleep amongst the action and check into Crystalbrook Vincent, where you’ll have all the fun of the precinct right on your doorstep. But before you head downstairs to the bustling nightlife, venture to the rooftop for a drink at Fiume, complete with Story Bridge and New Farm cliffs views.

When you’re ready to head down to river level, you’ll have your pick of places: sample local beers at Felons (one of our favourite Brisbane breweries), sip cocktails over the water at Mr Percival’s, and feast on flavours from Greece and Italy to Japan. Here’s a guide to the precinct to guide your evening as you watch golden hour sink into city lights.

Day 2: Meet the reef 

7am

This is one early rise you’ll be excited to jump out of bed for. You’ll be up at dawn today to make the 7am flight from Redcliffe Airport (40 minutes’ drive north of Brisbane), destined for Lady Elliot Island.

Not just any island, this is a coral cay changing the world. World-heritage listed and eco-certified, Lady Elliot Island is nestled within the highly protected ‘Green Zone’, and is a sanctuary for over 1,200 species of marine life, home to manta rays, unspoilt coral reef and one of the best spots to see turtles in Queensland. It’s no wonder David Attenborough called Lady Elliot a diving nirvana.

Under the custodianship of environmentalist Peter Gash OAM and his family since 2005, sustainable initiatives have been at the heart of the island’s progress, set to achieve 100% renewable energy status by December 2020.

9am

Touch down and check in to your accommodation; Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. Whether you’ve gone for the eco cabins or glamping tents, you’ll have all the creature comforts just steps from the coral shoreline.

Best yet? All island activities are right at your fingertips, with a glass-bottom boat tour, guided snorkelling tour, historical island tours and a range of things to do all included in your room rate. The Activities Team can take care of your to-do list, with daily timetables delivered to your room and signposted around the island, so you won’t miss out on what interests you.

10am

It’s not hard to get your bearings on Lady Elliot: wander the beach and you can complete a lap of the entire island in just 45 minutes. You’re on island time now though, so take it easy and stop for a swim along the way. A buffet lunch will be waiting when you return.

1pm

It’s time to dive in and see the reef up close. Explore yourself and set out on the two snorkel trails, or sign up for a guided reef snorkel trip, where a marine biologist will take you by boat to some of the best snorkelling locations. Here, keep your eyes peeled for sharks, turtles and manta rays.

Known as Queensland’s home of the manta ray, you’ll find these gentle giants (with a wingspan of up to seven metres) on the western side of the island during winter months. Your guide will show you where to find them, but if you’re on the DIY snorkel-trail, head to the appropriately-named manta bommie.

4pm

Led by scientists and marine biologists, there are countless research initiatives ongoing at Lady Elliot Island at any one time, from Project Manta to reef health monitoring.

Want to know more? Take a behind-the-scenes tour with the crew, and you’ll find out how the island makes its own power, gets fresh water, and deals with waste. It’s a fascinating glimpse into one of the world’s most successful renewable island projects.

6pm

Sunset is really something special out here. Join your fellow travellers on the beach and feel the calm quiet of being on a tiny island in the middle of the world’s largest coral reef system.

8pm

Witness the reef come alive as the sun goes down; it’s something few people get to do. Jump onboard the night glass bottom boat tour and watch the coral polyps awake, along with nocturnal marine life. The UV lights on board open up a whole new world of sights to see below the surface.

Or, if it’s turtle nesting season, join the crew at the Education Centre to learn about turtle nesting and hatching on Lady Elliot, before you embark on a self-guided night tour on the beach.

Day 3: Soak up island time

8am

Start your morning with a relaxing stroll through the forest. Reforestation was a huge part of the revitalisation project following the island’s mining; and now over 90 different species of seabirds, land birds and shorebirds visit throughout the year (especially from September to May). That’s the second highest diversity of bird species on the Great Barrier Reef.

10am

With snorkelling possible straight from the beach, it’s easy to jump in on your own time and explore. If it’s high tide this morning, stick to the eastern side of the island which is a great spot for turtle spotting.

From floating on the surface amongst schools of fish and diving down to take a closer look at the reef, you’ll easily spend a few hours on the water. And it’s the best spot to be on your final morning.

2:30pm

Board your plane bound for Brisbane, and wave farewell to Lady Elliot as you fly into the distance. Sure, it’s sad to leave, but feel good knowing that the Eco Resort and Greenfleet have partnered to offset 100% of carbon emissions from flights to and from the island.

You’ll touch down in Redcliffe Airport at 4pm, then transfer to Brisbane Airport for your flight home.

Staying at our place a little longer? Check out:

• How to spend three days in Brisbane
• The best day trips from the city
• Our 48 hour guide to the River City
• Explore like a local through the city’s precincts

Did you know you can do it in a day?

Prefer to sleep in the city both nights of your getaway? Lady Elliot Island’s team has got your back, with an action packed day trip that means you can be snorkelling the reefs by day, and back in Brisbane for dinner that night. Return flights leave from Redcliffe, and you’ll get five hours on the island to explore the sand and sea.