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Island haven back in swim DAYDREAMING of a winter break on a Barrier Reef tropical island where you can dive and snorkel among the coral? Your dreams can come true when Lady Elliot Island reopens on June 13 for overnight guests and day trips from Brisbane. Lady Elliot is within 250km of the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg via a scenic day flight. Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort owner Peter Gash says the family-run island will operate on a 50 per cent-bed capacity under their COVIDSafe plan. This ensures all operations comply with strict Queensland Health guidelines. Peter also operates the Seair light aircraft that will V1 - SESE01Z01MA
whisk you from Redcliffe Airport to Lady Elliot and back for the best reef day trip from Brisbane. The plane boards early morning and flies up the coastline past the holiday spots of Mooloolaba and Noosa and the contrasting sands of Rainbow Beach. After an 80-minute flight, guests arrive at Lady Elliot, and it doesn’t take long before you are dipping into the water and swimming among the coral. Manta rays and turtles are frequently spotted here, and divers and snorkellers both find tropical fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, clams and sea urchins. Guided snorkel tours and snorkel safaris help ensure everyone gets a chance to explore the reef. There is also a glass-bottomed boat, which reveals all the underwater action as you glide over the surface.
On low tide the beach becomes a different sort of wonderland as the island’s marine biologists take groups out to explore the littoral zone. Be sure to pack a pair of old sandshoes or beach shoes to walk among the coral. Bright-blue starfish are plentiful here. It doesn’t take long to walk around this 45-hectare coral cay island, which is home to 88 species of birds. Once mined for guano, it is now a wildlife sanctuary. Peter has put Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort at the environment forefront with hybrid solar-power stations replacing diesel engines. The Lady Elliot daytrip flight gives you five hours to explore the island. You’ll be able to pack in plenty during that time, including a swim, snorkel, beach walk, island exploration and lunch. For more information, visit ladyelliot.com.au.
***Coronavirus (COVID-19) update*** • Great Value Holidays is a 100% QLD family operated tour company specializing in Seniors Travel • In these uncertain times, we wanted to reach out to advise of the current situation with our tours. • 95% of our valued customers are Queenslanders visiting our wonderful Outback and Coastal destinations. • We have no overseas customers travelling due the current travel bans on coming into Australia. • We are in the process of deferring tours to later in the year when things are safe. • Should the situation change we will be guided by Government Advice at that time. • We are proud to be part of the QLD Tourism Industry and confident we can navigate through this together and continue travelling in our incredible country
*2020 Christmas Tours*
• Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular 06th Nov 8 Days from $2490 • Christmas on the Incredible Indian Pacific 23rd Dec 7 Days from $3590 • A Gold Coast Christmas Adventure 23rd Dec 5 Days from $1590 • Cairns Christmas Capers 21st Dec 6 Days from $1590
*2021 Rail Tours*
• Cooktown Discovery 04th May, 05th July 8 Days from $1590 • Cairns Port Douglas Chillagoe Caves 11th May, 17th July 8 Days from $1490 • Townsville Cairns Combo 11th June, 29th Sep 8 Days from $1440 • Iconic Historical TNQ Pubs & Places 01st June, 21st Sep 10 Days from $1990 • Awesome Foursome Gulflander Adventure Departs Monthly April - Oct from $2590 • Best North West QLD Karumba & Mt Isa 10th April 13 Days from $2890 • Longreach & Winton Experience Departs Monthly April - Oct from $1590
Kind Regards form the Great Value Holidays Team
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Visit www.greatvalueholidays.com.au or phone 1300 722 661 Terms and conditions apply: See website for details.
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Kerry Heaney
