Photo: Elise Hassey 
Perched on a granite headland at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, about 240 kilometres north of Cairns, The House at Lizard Island feels less like a hotel than the ultimate beach house fantasy. Remote, sculptural and surrounded by a cluster of private beaches, the three-bedroom retreat has redefined what an Australian luxury lodge can be: a place where architecture, landscape and service exist in harmony.
Getting there only heightens the sense of escape. Guests arrive via a small plane from Cairns, flying low above ribbons of coral and shifting turquoise water before Lizard Island’s tiny airstrip appears like a mirage. Hidden among eucalyptus and pandanus on a private western peninsula, The House occupies the island’s most coveted position, with uninterrupted views across the Coral Sea. The only other accommodation is Lizard Island Resort, whose team also services The House.
The name is simple because that is exactly what it is: a private residence rather than a traditional lodge. The property can only be booked exclusively, whether by a couple or a group of up to eight if paired with the nearby Cottage. The three suites each include a sitting area, desk, bathroom and outdoor terrace, as well as a private outdoor bath overlooking the coast. Two living areas and multiple indoor and outdoor dining spaces encourage guests to settle in as though they own the place.
A fully equipped kitchen comes with a private chef who tailors menus to guests’ tastes. Days unfold slowly: barefoot mornings on polished concrete floors, afternoons drifting between the infinity pool and secluded beaches, and snorkelling expeditions aboard the property’s Riviera yacht to Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs.
The House has a fascinating history. Lizard Island was first developed as a tourist destination in the 1970s by John Wilson. His son, Brisbane entrepreneur Steve Wilson, spent almost three decades navigating approvals and environmental challenges to realise this ambitious project. Together with The Cottage, The House was designed by architect James Davidson of JDA Co.
The result is a masterclass in tropical modernism. Concrete, copper and glass are softened by New Guinea rosewood and bespoke furnishings, while the structure was designed to “hug the slope of the hill” so it almost disappears into the landscape. Cyclone-resistant yet serene, it opens to sea breezes and endless horizons.
What distinguishes The House is its sense of privacy. In a country blessed with spectacular landscapes, it stands apart as one of Australia’s most remarkable places to stay.
All winners in the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards have been determined by Gourmet Traveller editor David Meagher, deputy editor Ceri David and digital editor Georgia Condon. We also sought input from our team of luxury food and travel industry experts including our Victoria state editor Michael Harden, Queensland state editor Elliot Baker, New South Wales state editor Alexandra Carlton and travel writer Carrie Hutchinson.
How we pick the Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards winners
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