Best trails in Lizard Island National Park
Lizard Island National Park is located 250km north-east of Cairns off the mainland. The Dingaal Traditional Owners welcome all visitors to their country and ask that all visitors respect this special place. The island features dune grasslands, woodlands and sweeping wind-sheared heaths with wildflowers. The sand on the islands’ beaches are comprised of coral and shell fragments in addition to granite decompositions that reveal the landscapes ancient volcanic past. Along the waters you’ll find spectacular and ecologically significant mangroves and coral reefs alongside these sandy beaches and clear waters. The island is ideal to explore via paddling, snorkelling, hiking, camping, and boating.
Top trails
- (39)·Strenuous·2.6 miThe Cooks Look Track is a brief but strenuous and incredibly demanding climb, offering the most spectacular views on Lizard Island. This relatively short out-and-back route is a fierce vertical ascent that is not a casual hike, demanding high fitness and a strong tolerance for heat and exposure. The climb is relentless, defined by the necessity of traversing sloping granite slabs and heaps of sheer rock faces through wind-sheared heaths. The entire track is exposed for much of the walk,...
- (1)·Moderate·1.7 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis walk features picturesque views over Blue Lagoon towards Palfrey and South islands and Cape Flattery on the mainland. Begin by heading towards the end of the airstrip and you'll see a short sandy track heading towards Blue Lagoon. Make the gentle descent down this track and you'll arrive at the secluded Mangrove beach on the edge of Blue Lagoon.
- (1)·Moderate·2.7 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThis is a sandy road from the western end of the airstrip that leads you over to the Lizard Island Research Station right by a beautiful beach. The Research Station provides guided tours at certain times. This road is also used by vehicles, so if you're visiting on foot please take care as you make your way through the woodland.