Lizard Island Resort

Character and identity

Lizard Island Resort sits 200 kilometres north of Cairns on 1,000 hectares of national park, ringed by 24 white-sand beaches and fronting the Great Barrier Reef itself: a 10-minute swim puts you on the fringing reef among turtles, tropical fish and coral. The 40 villas and suites are bright, high-ceilinged and airy, the larger ones standalone weatherboard cabins on oceanfront lawn with plunge pools, wrap-around decks and butler's kitchens. Dining is all-inclusive and centres on the open-air Saltwater restaurant, with the casual Marlin Bar at the boardwalk's end. Service is polished, the register of career hospitality professionals.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What you're paying for is the location: a private-feeling island directly on the reef, with the marine programme and seclusion to match. The all-inclusive cooking and polished service back it up rather than lead. Book a beachfront suite with plunge pool, lock in snorkelling, diving and the Clam Gardens hike-and-snorkel before arrival, and aim for the calmer shoulder months.