Australian woman dies on remote island after failing to board cruise ship
An elderly Australian woman in her 80s has been found dead on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef after failing to re-board a cruise ship during an excursion. Police in Queensland confirmed the woman was reported missing on Saturday, October 25, after the vessel she was travelling on departed without her.
The passenger had been part of a tour group from the cruise ship Coral Expeditions, aboard its vessel Coral Adventurer, which was anchored off Lizard Island near Cooktown, about 320 kilometres north of Cairns.
According to reports, the woman was hiking the island’s popular summit trail Cook’s Look with other excursion participants when she paused to rest. The group later returned to the ship without her, and she did not board by the scheduled departure time.
A search-and-rescue operation was launched both by land and sea that night. Her body was discovered the following morning and retrieved by authorities. Queensland Police described the death as “sudden and non-suspicious.” A coroner’s report is being prepared.
The cruise operator expressed its condolences to the woman’s family and confirmed cooperation with the investigation. The company emphasised it offers support during the difficult period.
