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Experience the serenity of glamping on the Great Barrier Reef with iBestTravel, immersing yourself in sustainable adventures, ocean views, and unforgettable marine experiences.
Discovering the Great Barrier Reef
Imagine witnessing the sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef right from your bed, then effortlessly sliding into the crystal-clear water for a dive or snorkel before the influx of day-trippers arrives. An eco-sensitive pontoon at the southern end of this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a unique opportunity to experience Queensland’s iconic marine wonder—far from the bustling crowds.
Glamping on a Pontoon
Before sunrise, I awaken to the soothing sounds of the Coral Sea, opening my eyes to an expansive view of the moon setting against a cotton candy pink sky above Lady Musgrave Island.
“Did you sleep well?” smiles skipper Brett Lakey as I make my way downstairs, drawn by the delightful aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
This innovative venture, conceived by Lakey, owner of Southern Great Barrier Reef operator Lady Musgrave Experience, introduces the newest glamping experience on the reef. Permanently anchored in the lagoon surrounding the Great Barrier Reef’s second southernmost island, the three-level pontoon serves as both a base for day-trippers and a serene overnight escape for up to 30 guests. Guests can choose to glamp in one of eight queen beds located on the upper deck or stay in the underwater observatory that transforms into a 20-bed dormitory for group stays.
Sustainability at Its Core
As climate change poses a significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef’s future, this new experience prioritizes sustainability.
“The pontoon was meticulously designed to have zero footprint,” explains Lakey, who launched Lady Musgrave Experience in 2015 after two decades of operating luxury yacht charters and eco-tours. Fully powered by wind and solar energy, the carbon-neutral HQ is certified by Advanced Ecotourism, making it one of Australia’s top ecotourism products. Moreover, it serves as a platform for education, research, and citizen science.
Guests can engage in reef surveys, interacting with local Indigenous Gidarjil ‘sea rangers’, who share invaluable knowledge about the sustainable management of the marine park. Lakey plans to introduce a citizen science program for coral planting and aims to adopt green energy solutions to further minimize carbon emissions from his operations.
Enjoying the Tranquility
As breakfast is served around 8 a.m. on the main deck, featuring a delicious array of fruits, yogurt, eggs, and bacon, guests may choose to rise early to enjoy diving or snorkeling at this splendid section of the reef before the arrival of up to 200 day-trippers from Bundaberg—approximately a two-hour journey.
During my dive at a location known as Camp Grounds, a vibrant area of the outer reef encircling the island, my group excitedly sights half a dozen turtles, a couple of manta rays, and a sizable moray eel among a variety of marine life. An Open Water Diver certification only is necessary to dive outside the lagoon, while Advanced Divers gain access to additional sites, including the ex-HMAS Tobruk sunk off Bundaberg in 2018. Beginner divers can explore the 7m-deep (23ft) lagoon.
Studying the Science of the Sea
Once the day-trippers depart at 2:30 pm, a sense of tranquility envelops the pontoon. Instead of lounging on the deck in the warm sun, I choose to engage in a reef survey led by marine biologist Leah Crake, which entails documenting significant species, coral impacts, and marine debris.
“We upload the data to an online database utilized by scientists, making these surveys incredibly valuable,” remarks Crake. The marine life in the lagoon seems particularly plentiful this afternoon, likely due to the absence of tourists and my focus on the task.
Meanwhile, other overnight guests relax with a glass of wine, reading materials, or engaging in conversation with the friendly staff, ready to assist with any needs—except for wi-fi; however, you might get lucky with a faint cell reception.
Turtle Time
Walking tours of the Pisonia tree-covered island, located less than a kilometer from the pontoon and serving as a crucial nesting ground for seabirds, are available for all visitors. However, only overnight guests can participate in the night-time tours during turtle nesting season, starting in November.
After enjoying a delicious Greek mezze-style dinner, we are transported to the island where, under Crake’s guidance, we observe an array of turtles heading towards the dunes to lay their eggs. From January to March, our focus shifts to spotting the hatchlings of the four marine turtle species nesting here.
By 9 pm, I am tired and ready for bed after an eventful day. Guests may choose to stay up, keeping in consideration the others who are resting. Stargazing is available as an additional activity.
The Moon’s Your Night Light
Glamping beds are equipped with a dim light (note: it is advisable to bring a headlamp for reading) and arranged for privacy. On pleasant nights, expect to roll up the waterproof canvas sides of your bed to enjoy the view after the day-trippers have departed (lockers are available for daytime gear). If you opt for the observatory, expect the lights to be turned off at bedtime (based on group consensus), but be prepared for the possibility of seeing a turtle glide past your bed.
Although Lady Musgrave HQ may not offer luxurious amenities like Reefsuites, the en suite underwater hotel rooms near the Whitsundays, it provides a more accessible option for travelers, with rates starting at AUD$900 per person for a two-night, three-day glamping escape that includes luxury catamaran transfers, all meals, snorkeling, and tours to the glass-bottom boat and island. In my opinion, the breathtaking views at dawn are worth every cent.
Sarah Reid traveled on the Lady Musgrave by invitation.
