Page 12 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens- June '23

Page 12, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Home Of The Goanna: Australia’s Lizard Island

Previously submitted by the of the Cod Hole, all to the
late Don Kiselewski, MCC, wonderment and enjoyment
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens of the scuba divers who have
Travel Leaders come to visit. It’s no wonder
Roaming freely on that Lizard Island has become
Australia’s northern-most a national park.
island of the Great Barrier The waters around the
Reef is the monitor lizard. islands also have another
Goannas, as the species is distinction as being one of the
called by Australians, are world’s best places for black
members of the Varanus marlin fishing. These monsters
genus. These reptiles provide of the sea can weigh up to
the unique background for nearly a ton! I tried my hand
this 1,000-hector island with this sport and learned
located some 150 miles north the way the professionals do
of Cairns and 18 miles east it. On the way to the fishing
of the York Peninsula on ground, light tackle is used to
mainland Australia. Chances catch the yard-long fish that
are very likely that you will will later be used as bait in
come in contact with one of fishing for the giant marlins.
these bizarre creatures should Bait on heavy tackle line is
you be fortunate enough to stay on the island. then used to troll through the
Lizard Island is only two and a half miles from north to south fishing grounds. During my
and less than two miles east to west. The island has two high adventure, a black marlin took
ridges that are separated by a narrow valley running between the bait and came directly out
in a north/south direction, where the landing strip is located. of the water behind our boat,
The highest of the ridges is over 1,000 feet above sea level promptly spitting it out of
and known as Cook’s Lookout, after British explorer, Captain its mouth. Our boat’s mate
James Cook. The famous sea captain scaled the eastern ridge estimated the weight to be
of the island in August of 1770 to plot a chart of the treacherous around 500 pounds. Too much
reefs lying to the south. From this vantage point one can see fish for a pan!
the 24 white sand beaches surrounding the island, all of which As a national park,
are perfect for snorkeling. Australia is very protective
The island is completely surrounded by fringe reefs. Those of the island’s turf. In fact, it wasn’t until 1967 that the Today, Lizard Island Resort has grown in opulence to
on the south side are well developed and run between Lizard government decided to allow inhabitants on the island. At that become one of the most luxurious travel destinations in the
Island and three other nearby islands to the north and south time, Sir Sydney William assembled a group of investors and world. With 40 ultra-luxurious suites and full resort facilities,
(Palfrey, South and Bird). The area between the four islands successfully outbid the competition to construct a tourist resort complemented by five star dining, who could ever want more?
is called the Blue Lagoon and reaches a depth of 35 feet. The on this island. There are no private homes on the island, and It’s definitely one of those places where the rich and famous
reefs near Palfrey Island are protected due to the establishment no other structures other than those connected with the resort hang out. Even those who cruise to Lizard Island are not
of a research station currently engaged in an extensive study and research station. allowed to visit the resort, and no outsiders are allowed to use
of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The station was established in Part of the negotiation was to construct a landing strip to the resort or its facilities … no matter how big their yacht!
1973 and is located on the east side of the island, appropriately allow flights from the mainland to shuttle guests to and from Should you be looking for one of the world’s greatest dive
named Research Point. Cairns. This is still the only scheduled way to reach the island. spots, crystal clear snorkeling, secluded white sand beaches or
The research station on Lizard Island differs from others In 1972 the airstrip was utilized by the royal flying doctors to fishing for the great black marlin, Lizard Island is the place for
located along the Great Barrier Reef in that it is not funded evacuate a crewman from a game fishing boat who had been you. Don’t go just to see the goannas. They’re ugly!
by the Australian government, but rather by the scientific speared near the heart by a black marlin. Lizard Island is just The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
community. About 60 research projects are carried out each north of the reef where Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, had experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the
year by scientists and post graduate students from Australia and his fatal accident involving a stingray. oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens
other parts of the world. There have been over 600 research In 1973, Brisbane architect Colin Tannett was commissioned Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
documents produced from studies conducted at the facility. to design the resort facilities that comprise the Lizard Island located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
Without a doubt, the waters around Lizard Island are among Resort. He lived in the rough of the island for three weeks to Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
the world’s best for divers. The ribbon reefs and the famous Cod get the feel of the island and to develop the functionality of the has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida area for
Hole, with its giant potato cod, are just a few of its highlights. property. His only prerequisite was that the buildings have an over a quarter of a century. Contact them at (561) 694-9696
The giant cods of the ocean have gotten used to divers over Australian homestead veranda, which was accomplished most or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
the past 30 years and now gather in the crystal clear water adequately in the final design and construction. Photos by Don Kiselewski

Family owned & operated since 1988

Tracey Eller visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa
during her Mediterranean Cruise. Give us a call so
we can help you plan your adventure to an Italian
city you have always wanted to experience.
We are located at 11360 N. Jog Road, Bldg. A, Suite 102-6
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 Info@PBGTravel.com
TravelLeaders.com/PBGFL
(561) 694-9696
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