It takes around two hours to reach Lady Musgrave Island, which lies 50 nautical miles north-east in the Bunker group on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It’s the region’s only island with a fringing reef that boats can access via a channel.
If you’re eager to swim with turtles in Queensland, you’re in luck: the warm waters surrounding the island are equally alluring to these gentle creatures. During a trip to Bundaberg, my five-year-old son and I embarked on a day trip with Lady Musgrave Experience, in the hope of seeing the reptiles and other wildlife.
Day tour with Lady Musgrave Experience
The luxury catamaran departs from Bundaberg Port Marina for Lady Musgrave Experience day trips, as well as transfers for overnight guests. The two-hour trip passes quickly as we sit back in comfortable seats with fold-out tray tables watching David Attenborough documentaries on a big screen.
During a glass bottom boat tour, we see two turtles gliding beneath us at a turtle cleaning station, where they congregate to have their shells nibbled by small fish. Butterflyfish, parrotfish and blue-green chromis are also abundant.
The boat connects seamlessly with a pontoon, from which Oliver attempts to snorkel on the Reef for the first time. But he struggles with the mask and snorkel, so we swap them for his swimming goggles and with the help of a foam noodle swim out to the reef, where he sticks his head in long enough to see some coral and a few fish. I figure it’s a good start.
On the way back, I sip a glass of champagne and snack on an antipasti platter offered to guests who choose the VIP Premium option, while Oliver naps in my lap. I’ve done a few day trips to the Great Barrier Reef in my time, and this is definitely one of the most comfortable.
Accommodation on Lady Musgrave Island
Overnight accommodation is available at the innovative LADY MUSGRAVE HQ, a state-of-the-art sustainable pontoon. The three-level structure sits above the waterline on Lady Musgrave Lagoon without damaging the coral and marine life below. Above the waterline, this unique ‘hotel’ is completely solar and wind-powered to minimise its carbon footprint.
The highlight of LADY MUSGRAVE HQ is the incredible underwater observatory with UV lighting so visitors can experience the reef at night. As well as bunk beds in the observatory, guests have the option to sleep under the stars on the Upper Deck glamping beds with reef views.
Overnight stays include transfers, meals, linen, snorkelling gear hire, a glass-bottom boat tour and island walk. The eco-friendly pontoon also has snorkel and dive platforms and a licensed bar.
Opening image: Lady Musgrave Lagoon
The writer was a guest of Bundaberg Burnett Tourism
