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The view over the Great Barrier Reef from Cook's Look, Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia. Photographer: Spiridon Sleptsov.
Suzanne Rees’ death on Lizard Island demands answers
By Geoffrey Williams
Briefly …
Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old solo traveller from New South Wales, Australia, has died on Lizard Island, off the coast of Far North Queensland. Authorities and the cruise operator are investigating the circumstances.
The Solo Traveller team has been devastated by the death of Suzanne Rees, who was doing what thousands of solo travellers do every year – trusting an operator to uphold its duty of care. While the exact circumstances of her death are still being investigated, this horrific event stands as a reminder of how vulnerable safety systems can become when they fail.
Suzanne, an 80-year-old solo traveller from New South Wales, was reportedly left behind on Lizard Island, off the coast of Far North Queensland, during a shore excursion from a cruise ship. She was travelling aboard Coral Expeditions’ Coral Adventurer, which departed Cairns on 25 October for a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia. The vessel’s first stop was Lizard Island, around 270 kilometres north of Cairns.
The image of an 80-year-old woman setting out on what should have been a joyful solo adventure around her own country, only to be left behind on a remote island, is shocking. Suzanne is being remembered by her family as a healthy, active 80‑year‑old who loved gardening and bushwalking before her death over the weekend on the remote Great Barrier Reef island.
“Suzanne is being remembered by her family as a healthy, active 80‑year‑old who loved gardening and bushwalking before her death over the weekend on the remote Great Barrier Reef island.”
According to 7 News, Suzanne joined other passengers on a morning hike to the island’s summit, known as Cook’s Look – named for Captain James Cook, who climbed the island’s summit in 1770 searching for a safe passage through the reefs after his ship, Endeavour, was damaged. From this vantage point he spotted a clear route to open sea, the same sweeping view that now draws travellers to the island’s highest point.
According to reports from 7 News and The Guardian, Suzanne became unwell during the hike, and her daughter, Katherine, told 7 News her mother was “asked to head down, unescorted” and that the ship “apparently left without doing a passenger count”. The Guardian reports that the Coral Adventurer departed the island around 3.40 pm. It was several hours before Suzanne's absence was discovered and authorities were alerted. Her body was found the following day near the island’s walking track.
Family members have questioned the company’s safety protocols. Katherine told The Guardian there had been “a failure of care and common sense”, adding that she hoped the coronial inquiry “will find out what should have been done that might have saved Mum’s life.” Speaking to The Australian, Katherine said the family was “shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my mum, Suzanne.”
“… Katherine said the family was “shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my mum, Suzanne.”
Coral Expeditions has operated in Australia for four decades, specialising in small-ship expedition cruises to remote coastal destinations. The company has not confirmed whether passenger headcounts or shore–return procedures were followed prior to departure.
Queensland Police described the death as “sudden and non-suspicious”, while the Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed it is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Coral Expeditions said in a statement it was cooperating fully with authorities and expressed condolences to Suzanne’s family.
While a report will be prepared for the coroner, this confronting event exposes the critical importance of accountability in travel operations. It challenges the industry to look hard at its procedures – from passenger headcounts to excursion supervision – and to recognise that safety is a shared responsibility, weighted heavily and unconditionally on those who lead these journeys.
As investigations continue, The Solo Traveller team extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Suzanne’s family, and her community of solo travellers, friends, and supporters who she would no doubt have inspired with her passion for travel and exploration.
Geoffrey Williams is The Solo Traveller Group’s Founder and Publishing Curator.