Here’s our guide to 48 hours of turtle-y awesome experiences and living your best life on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Day One – An island escape, turtle madness and luxe apartments

08:00am – Pull into Bundaberg Regional Airport, park up and check in for your 8:40am scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island

9:00am – Look out of the window, and take in the stunning views of the Southern Great Barrier Reef blues, as you are about to arrive in paradise.

10:00am – After your island orientation, it’s time to explore the island at your leisure, head on over to the Eco Walking Trail or join and Island Nursery Tour for land based fun, and discover the awesome sustainability work the team are doing on the island.

11:00am – Hop aboard a glass bottom boat tour and pick the brains of the nearest Master Reef Guide as you discover the abundant sea life in this underwater playground.

12:00noon – It’s lunch time baby! Take a seat in the restaurant and tuck into the buffet lunch (included in your ticket) , and take in the beach front dining at it’s best!

1:00pm – Swim up a storm on a Snorkel Safari,  as you come face to face with intricate coral formations, colourful fish, turtles, manta rays and maybe even Bubbles the resident dolphin!

2:00pm – Slip on the reef shoes, and ramble through the rockpools with a Master Reef Guide, and see the reef up close and personal through a sea scope. Sea cucumbers, starfish, urchins, coral, clams, crabs and so much more to discover.

3:00pm – Ok c’mon, it’s time to dry off and get ready for your scenic flight home. Before you make your way towards the runway, take some time to check out the Reef Education Centre, or the gift shop for a little something to remind you of your magical trip for years to come.

4:00pm – Up, up and away! Wave your last goodbye to the island paradise, and relax, in just 30 minutes you’ll be back in Bundaberg and getting ready for some more turtle-y awesome good times.

5:00pm – Check into your beachside digs at Manta Bargara. Have a power nap, charge up your phone,  and take a short stroll along the esplanade to pick up a fish and chip supper.

7:00pm –By now you would of arrived at Mon Repos Turtle Centre for your turtle-y awesome encounter. From November – January the beach comes alive at night with Mama turtles emerging from the ocean, and making their way onto the dunes to nest and from January to March, these little nests start erupting with crazy little hatchlings making their way to the big open ocean.

8:00pm – You’re on turtle time now! As this is a completely natural experience, there is no telling when they will be making their appearance, so you may be in for a long night of waiting. Enjoy the immersive turtle tales experience at the centre, pull out a book for some holiday reading or enjoy a snack from Gidji Café, trust us its worth the wait!

12:00pm – We’re sure by now you are all tucked up in bed, dreaming of your days adventure on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, scenic flights, island walks, snorkelling with mantas and turtle nesting and hatching. Well get a good nights rest because we are back at it again tomorrow for another action packed day of adventure.

Day Two: Reef, reef and more reef!

06:00am – Rise and shine! Up and at em’ it’s time to slap on the sunscreen, swallow a sea sickness tab, check out of your accommodation and head to Burnett Heads Marina for you 06:45am check in with Lady Musgrave Experience.

07:00am – Set sail onboard the Reef Empress, as she glides over the waves making her way to the Lady Musgrave Lagoon. Head out onto the deck for some fresh air, or relax in the aircon watching documentaries on the Great Barrier Reef. (If you’re wanting to have the ultimate LME experience, be sure to upgrade to VIP – captains lounge, barista coffees and a delicious morning tea!)

9:00am – You’re fast approaching paradise now, so pop on another layer of sunscreen, your wide brimmed hat whilst the boat docks up effortlessly beside Lady Musgrave HQ – a new world class pontoon, nestled in the calm and sheltered waters of the lagoon.

10:00am – Hosted by Master Reef Guides, discover this one of a kind pristine coral cay, completely uninhabited but surrounded by 7,000 acres of reef and lagoon, teeming with marine life on an island walk. Listen to stories of the islands history and how it is now an important refuge for sea birds and turtles.

11:00am – Enjoy the full reef experience without getting wet. Take a peek through the looking glass at the friendly locals of the Southern Great Barrier Reef as the skipper provides commentary on the rich, divers marine life below on a glass bottom boat tour.

12:00noon – Surely you’ve worked up an appetite by now, so dig in to a buffet lunch of Bundaberg’s freshest produce and take in the amazing views from the top deck of the pontoon.

1:00pm – Flippers at the ready, and dive on in! Swim through the crystal clear waters of the real life aquarium, and encounter resident turtles on their cleaning station, magical manta rays, buzzing coral reefs whilst keeping an eye out for nemo!

3:00pm – Sadly, it’s time to pull yourself out of those refreshing sun soaked waters, and dry off for your journey home. Take some time to venture to the bottom floor of Lady Musgrave HQ and stare in awe at the underwater observatory.  

5:00pm – As the boat pulls into the marina, and you are finishing that last sip of bubbles after cheers’ing to a days fun in the sun, wave goodbye to your captain, and hop back onto dry land.

6:00pm- Well that’s a wrap! It’s just that easy to live your best life on the Southern Great Barrier Reef in under 48 Hours (even including enough time to drive up from somewhere like Brisbane, and make it home again to be in work on Monday).

There’s so much more to see and do, and we’re sure you’ll be busting to extend your say or book another trip, so this isn’t goodbye, just a cya later!