More than 270 kilometres north of Cairns, surrounded by sapphire seas and rimmed with fringing reefs, Lizard Island rises quietly from the Coral Sea. Remote, raw and rich in life, it’s a place where science and nature collide – and, for a lucky group of IGS Year 11 and 12 students, where learning extended beyond the classroom and dived into the real world.
As part of their Geography and Biology studies, students recently had the opportunity to spend several days on this spectacular island, a national park that doubles as one of the world’s most significant marine research hubs. Home to more than 1,500 species of fish and over 400 species of coral, Lizard Island offered students not just pristine beauty but a living lab for oceanographic and ecological discovery.
As Year 12 student Hugh reflected on the experience, he captured what many felt – “A standout School trip that offered me a new perspective on our natural world and our role in it.”
Across the week, students took part in coral reef ecology lectures, learned to identify marine species and used underwater monitoring technology to measure abundance and distribution along the reef. Guided by researchers, they examined how natural disasters and climate change are shaping reef systems – and heard firsthand about conservation efforts taking place on and around the island.
Lizard Island’s isolated setting, combined with its proximity to the outer reef, makes it a critical site for long-term scientific monitoring. Students gained hands-on experience with real-world scientific methods such as data collection and reef mapping.
Students described the trip as one of the best experiences of their High School years.
From reef to report, it was a trip that brought textbooks to life and planted ideas that will likely ripple far beyond the School gates. Experiences like this reflect the School’s commitment to deep learning, sustainability and global citizenship — offering students knowledge and a sense of responsibility to the world around them.
Special thanks to Carmelo Fedele Head of Philosophy and Sustainability and Jennifer Arapakis Assistant Head of Science for organising the excursion.
