On this page...



Lizard Island Coral Reef Study Tour 2023

Are you in Year 11 this year and studying Stage 6 Biology? Are you passionate about science and nature? Would you like to learn more about coral reefs? These beautiful and intricate ecosystems are in a period of rapid change and provide an excellent case study for senior biology students.

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for one of 16 places on the Lizard Island Coral Reef Study Tour 2023, a 7-night trip to the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station. There, you will be guided by marine scientists to learn about coral reefs and marine research.

Two teachers of Stage 6 Biology are also invited to join the program. The trip will increase teachers’ knowledge of coral reef issues, inform their teaching practice and help them to obtain experiences and insights to share with their students into the future.


What is the program?

The Lizard Island Coral Reef Study Tour is an immersive, live-in educational experience in coral reef science on the Great Barrier Reef led by marine scientists.

Where?

The Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station, an hour’s flight north of Cairns.

When?

1 to 8 October 2023.

Who?

The study tour is for students in Year 11 who are studying Stage 6 Biology at any school in NSW in 2023, and to teachers of that subject. There are places for 16 students and 2 teachers.

How much?

The cost of this program is $3,200 per person ex Cairns. To that must be added the cost of getting to/from Cairns (estimated at $600 to $800 from NSW) and the cost of travel insurance which you will be required to take out if you are selected for participation. Several full and half scholarships are available for excellent students and inspirational teachers who are based at NSW Government schools, thanks to the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation.

How can I take part?

Application details are below. Selection is based on meeting eligibility criteria, a personal statement, letters of support, and for students, academic achievement in Year 10. Applications close on 12 May 2023. Successful applicants and parents of students must agree to terms and conditions, pay a deposit by 23 June and make full payment by 28 July.


About the program

Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) is a coral reef research facility that is owned and operated by the Australian Museum. The Research Station is situated at Lizard Island (Jiigurru) on the Great Barrier Reef, 270 km north of Cairns.

Researchers from all over the world come to LIRS to study various aspects of coral reefs. Their discoveries are published in scientific journals and the information is used by reef managers. Coral reefs are on the front line of climate change and much research effort is currently going into the effects of increasing temperature and ocean acidity and finding ways to mitigate them.

Education about reefs is also an important focus of LIRS. Individual schools and universities have been running educational programs at LIRS for decades for their own students. We are now able to offer the same experience to all Stage 6 Biology students and teachers in NSW through this Study Tour.

The initial Study Tour took place in 2022 and it was a great success. This opportunity gives students and teachers of Biology the chance to experience coral reef research and understand the issues facing coral reefs.


Coral reefs are much more complex than I had ever imagined. The evidence and the extent of damage to the reefs has awakened my awareness to the vulnerability of the marine environment. I have now realised that these environments have an incredible ability to recover, and I am intrigued about the recovery processes. Student participant in 2022

During this tour, I have not only acquired a vast array of knowledge on coral reef ecosystems, but I can use and apply the content to all facets of my teaching. Additionally, I have further developed practical skills in the field and have already begun to implement these into my teaching programs. This experience has changed me as a teacher. Teacher participant in 2022

The 2023 Lizard Island Coral Reef Study Tour will again be led by Dr Andy Lewis and Reef Ecotours. Dr Lewis is a marine scientist with many years’ experience leading student and research groups at Lizard Island and other locations. The daily program is diverse, involving snorkelling from boats, conducting field research, and classroom sessions covering coral reef biology topics to support the field experiences. There will be substantial input from the LIRS Directors, Dr Anne Hoggett and Dr Lyle Vail, who are marine scientists who have overseen research at LIRS for more than 30 years. The group will also interact with visiting scientists which will help provide a broad overview of coral reef science.


Program details


Application details