An elderly woman has died on a remote island in Australia after she got lost and "failed to board" her cruise ship.
A police investigation has been launched into the death of the 80-year-old solo traveller on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef around 30 kilometres off the Far North Queensland coast.
It is understood the woman was hiking up to the Cook's Look summit, the highest point on the island, with a Coral Expeditions Group on Saturday when she stopped for a rest before becoming lost on her way back.
A source told The Australian: "The group continued and boarded the vessel before realising she was not there."
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The woman was reported missing when she did not return to the cruise ship which was anchored offshore.
A large scale land and sea search was then launched and continued into the night before the tourist's body was recovered from the mountain the following day.
Coral Expeditions confirmed that a passenger on a Coral Adventurer voyage died during an excursion to the island on Saturday to the Daily Mail.
Chief Executive Mark Fifield said: "While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman's family.
The woman died on Lizard Island, a very remote island off the coast of Far North Queensland
|GETTY
"The Coral team has been in contact with the woman's family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process.
"We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation. We are unable to comment further while this process is underway."
It is understood that authorities are treating the woman's death as non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Lizard Island is one of the most remote tourist destinations in the Great Barrier Reef and is popular with divers, snorkelers and hikers.
READ THE LATEST FROM AROUND THE GLOBE:
The Coral Adventurer cruise ship was launched in 2019 and has a capacity of up to 120 passengers
|CORAL EXPEDITIONS
According to the 2021 census, Lizard, the offshore locality which consists of multiple islands including Lizard Island, has a population of 65 people.
The island was named by Captain James Cook in 1770, who said: "The only land animals we saw here were lizards and these seemed to be pretty plenty, which occasioned my naming the island Lizard Island."
Cook's Look, the highest point on the island, was named after the British explorer who climbed the peak in order to map his way through the surrounding maze of reefs.
The Lizard Island website said: "It covers four kilometres and at times is very steep so we recommend medium to high fitness and agility to safely undertake this hike.
"Due to the time it takes to hike and the heat of the day, it is recommended that you hike early in the morning.
"Those that have done this hike say it is challenging but incredibly rewarding."
The Coral Adventurer cruise ship was launched in 2019 and has a capacity of up to 120 passengers and 46 crew.
The boat is currently on a 60-night trip around Australia which left Cairns on October 17 and is set to end on December 16.
More From GB News