Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef 2011

solated, miles from nowhere off the coast of Far North Queensland, Lizard Island Lodge sits right on the Great Barrier Reef in a wilderness very little changed from when Captain Cook landed in 1770 looking for a passage out of the maze of coral reefs that had trapped him in these tropical waters for months.

A few days on Lizard Island, now a terrestrial and marine National Park under World Heritage protection, is redefining my understanding of what is luxury. It’s not only the venue I’m fortunate enough to be staying in. It’s how I’ve been lucky enough to be lead, to literally dive into unbelievable outdoors opportunities that staying in a marine National Park offers, even to a man approaching 70, as I am. Juanita and Jan add more than a touch of colour to the occasion.