Other Costs
Costs involved in conducting research at Lizard Island (other than the daily bench fee) are listed below.
All amounts are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Air travel
The round trip fare between Cairns and Lizard Island is currently $590 via scheduled flights on Hinterland Aviation arranged by Delaware North (see Travel). To get this rate, you must advise when booking the flight that you will be staying at the Research Station.
Barge freight
Barge freight for food and other supplies from Cairns costs $15 per grocery carton or similar-sized container (see Freight).
Food
Food is purchased in Cairns and the cost is the supermarket bill plus a small cartage fee for delivery to the barge depot. Most people spend between $15 and $20 per person per day excluding alcoholic drinks (see Ordering Food).
Extra boat usage
Use of a small self-drive boat is included in the bench fee provided there is a competent and licenced driver in the team. If a larger boat is needed, the additional cost is recouped on a distance basis (e.g. $220.00 for a trip to the outer reef). Use of larger boats away from the Lizard Island Group requires a boat driver with extensive experience in similar conditions (see Boats).
Extra laboratory and aquarium facilities
Use of most laboratory and aquarium facilities is included in the bench fee although, rarely, extra charges may be incurred for use of equipment that draws a lot of power or uses additional fuel.
Diving and snorkeling equipment
Scuba tanks and air fills are included in the bench fee for divers who are qualified under the LIRS Diving Regulations.
Weight belts and weights are included in the bench fee for qualifed divers and for snorkelers who have been approved to use them under the LIRS Snorkeling Regulations.
High quality snorkeling and diving gear is available for hire as shown below.
| Daily | Weekly | |
|
Snorkeling gear |
||
| Mask | $3.00 | $11.00 |
| Snorkel | $3.00 | $11.00 |
| Snorkeling fins | $3.00 | $11.00 |
| Full foot Biofins | $6.00 | $22.00 |
| Open-heel diving fins | $9.00 | $32.00 |
| Lycra suit (protection from sun and marine stingers) | $4.00 | $20.00 |
| Short 5 mm wetsuit | $7.00 | $35.00 |
| Long sharkskin wetsuit | $12.00 | $60.00 |
| Sleeveless wetsuit vest with hood | $5.00 | $25.00 |
| Wetsuit booties | $3.00 | $15.00 |
| Deals for sets of four or more pieces | ||
| e.g. mask + snorkel + snorkeling fins + short wetsuit | $12 | $51 |
| Other sets available, please ask | ||
| Scuba gear | ||
| Regulator with octopus & gauges | $15.00 | $60.00 |
| Buoyancy compensator | $15.00 | $60.00 |
| Octopus only | $5.00 | $20.00 |
| Gauges only | $5.00 | $20.00 |
Dr
Anne Hoggett
, Director, Lizard Island Research Station
Last Updated: