Lady Elliot Island is like no place on earth, it's unique proximity to the continental shelf and the Eastern Australian Current make it a beacon for large mega fauna such as Manta Rays with a known population of over a thousand. 

Managing Director and pilot of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Peter Gash, has been flying guests to the Southern Great Barrier Reef for over 25 years and he wouldn't change it for the world. Armed with a lifetime of knowledge there is no one better to take the journey from the mainland out to the picturesque Lady Elliot Island with, having ferried guests to the island since the 1990s. Peter, his family and two business partners took over the island and eco-resort lease in 2005 and have been working ever since to provide an exceptional eco-tourism experience to visitors while protecting and preserving the reef.

(Credit: Kara Murphy)

Lady Elliot Island adorns its shelves with eco-tourism and reef conservation awards including the coveted Marie Watson-Blake award for 'Outstanding Contribution by an Individual' for Peter's 30+ years contribution to Queensland's dynamic tourism industry, specifically his passion, dedication and leadership in sustainable ecotourism. Leaders in eco-tourism Lady Elliot Island implements a number of strategies to ensure the protection and preservation of the reef including a 're-greening' revegetation/eradication program, to restore the island back to its original state after it was mined for Guano in the 1800's, the banning of plastic water bottles and straws, the use of a Hybrid Solar Power Station to power the island and a number of eco initiatives to keep our reef healthy for it's inhabitants and visitors to enjoy. Lady Elliot Island currently operates on 80% renewable energy with a goal to be operational with 100% renewable energy by 2021.

(Credit: Jeremy Somerville)

Come take a trip to Lady Elliot Island, disconnect from your phones and be inspired to go green.