People who are eligible to use the Lizard Island Research Station's facilities usually fall into one of the following categories
Researchers, including research students
Any person who will be conducting bona fide scientific research during his/her visit to Lizard Island is eligible to use the Research Station's facilities. Eligibility extends to assistants who are necessary to accomplish the project and (except during peak periods) family members who are not involved in the research.
Researchers must provide sufficient detail about their proposed project to satisfy the LIRS directors that the research is genuine. In general, the research must have the capacity to contribute towards a scientific publication or a postgraduate thesis, or it must be a requirement of an undergraduate course. Researchers will generally have a university or research institute address.
If the research being conducted at Lizard Island is not intended for publication in the public domain for commercial reasons, the trip is considered to be commercial usage and commercial rates will apply.
More information about research bookings
Booking deposit conditions
Booking request form
School or university student groups
Groups of students from schools or universities who are undertaking an educational visit led by academic staff from their own institution or others engaged for that purpose are eligible to use the station's facilities.
The maximum group size is 22 people.
The trip need not be a formal part of a course of study or contribute to course credit, but there must be a significant and genuine educational component. This would generally be demonstrated by at least some of the following activities being organised by the group leader during the visit: lectures by academic staff; guided field trips involving recording of observations or data collection; individual or group research projects; verbal presentations and/or written reports by students.
Because of the remote location and the nature of the activities (boating, snorkelling, walking), all participants in educational trips must be physically fit and have a reasonable level of swimming ability. They must be able to swim at least 100 metres in a pool without aids comfortably, float on their back, and tread water for at least five minutes. They must also be capable of getting in and out of small boats and light aircraft, climbing stairs, and walking on soft sand.
Group leaders and adult supervisors of school-age children must have substantial snorkelling and boating experience, and a qualifying boat licence. At least one of the adult supervisors (and preferably more) must have current certificates in both first aid and in administration of medical oxygen.
A sufficient number of adult supervisors must be provided to allow for safe and effective conduct of the group's activities. For example, a high school group may require an adult supervisor for every four students, whereas a university group may only require one academic staff member for 10 students.
Bookings may be made up to 13 months ahead by making two advance payments at stipulated times: a booking fee and a 50% deposit. Contact the Research Station for current conditions of bookings.
Conditions of group bookings
Booking request form
Special interest groups
Groups of people who share a common special interest relevant to coral reefs may be eligible to use the Research Station's facilities. For example, group trips are sometimes offered for Australian Museum Members who are interested in learning more about coral reef biology and ecology. Such tours are led by a Museum scientist who gives lectures and organises a structured field program. Eligibility of such special interest groups is considered on a case-by-case basis by the LIRS directors.
Conditions for special interest groups are the same as for student groups - see above.
Booking request form
Media and commercial
Individuals and companies may use the Research Station's facilities for commercial purposes that are appropriate to the station's role as a research and educational facility. Research and educational usage have priority over commercial usage.
Media projects conducted at LIRS usually have an educational component. Scientific research is considered to be commercial if it is not intended for publication in the public domain for commercial reasons. There are separate rates for educational media usage and purely commercial usage.
Media and commercial usage is subject to the same conditions as research usage.
Conditions of research bookings
Booking request form
Station Volunteers
Anyone who is older than 18 years and is capable of and willing to perform outdoor manual work is eligible to become a station volunteer. A maximum of two people will be accepted as station volunteers at any one time.
Tell me more about the Station volunteer program
Do not send a booking request form for a volunteer visit. Instead, email LIRS directly with the information requested in the link above.
