Sydney Nimble is often asked about other places to visit in Australia. For this reason we will share some commentary and observations about a recent trip to the Queensland islands of Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot.

These two islands are located in the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef and are best suited to a person who has an interest in water activities. The two big activities on offer are snorkelling and scuba diving.

The snorkelling in both locations warrants a visit even if you do not wish to partake in diving.

Lady Musgrave Island

Overnight accommodation is available on the pontoon near Lady Musgrave Island although most visitors choose to limit their visit to a day trip.

Visitors to the pontoon are taken to nearby Lady Musgrave Island for a 45 minute island tour.

One bird that visits and nests on Lady Musgrave Island is the Black Noddy. This bird has a black body with white colouring on its head resulting in it sometimes being called a White-capped noddy. Same bird just a different name.

Black Noddies are called noddies because they repetitively nod their heads throughout their breeding display.

The relationship between Black Noddies and Pisonia trees on Lady Musgrave is fascinating. The seeds of a Pisonia tree are produced in large tangly masses with the resin on the seeds sticking to the birds when they brush the seeds as they fly near or through the tree.

The Black Noddies then disperse the seeds when they fly to other islands. So far so good.

However for some birds the sticky seeds are too sticky and they unable to leave the tree. They are trapped and eventually perish in the tree. The collateral damage left in the form of the hanging dead is a grim sight.

Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island also has Black Noddies and their singing is of such volume that guests will find a pair of earplugs in their room. Damn noisy!

Visitors to Lady Elliot arrive via a Cessna plane which reduces the travel time to the island (30 minutes) but does add to the expense. Most guests stay overnight on the island in cabins or up market tents. A day trip is also available.

We did an introductory scuba dive at Lady Elliot, thoroughly enjoying the experience (thanks Jai). Some of the marine life encountered included manta rays, schools of trevally, turtles, sting rays, a wide variety of tropical fish and coral of many types and colours.

The scuba dive was followed up on the next day with two sessions of snorkeling and it was exciting to see a black tip reef shark and more mantra rays.

The marine life at Lady Elliot is outstanding and was the highlight of our holiday. Interstate or overseas visitors take note!