The daughter of an 80-year-old cruise ship passenger who “died alone” on Queensland’s Lizard Island says there was a “failure of care and common sense” that led to her mother being left behind.

Suzanne Rees, from Sydney, is being remembered as a healthy and active woman who loved gardening and hiking.

She was found dead on Lizard Island, in the remote Great Barrier Reef, after allegedly being overlooked by the Coral Adventurer when the cruise ship departed the island on Saturday.

The 80-year-old was on the second day of a 60-day trip around Australia when she disembarked with other passengers for the stop at Lizard Island.

She and other passengers had reportedly intended to hike the island’s Cook’s Look mountain, one of the most popular activities to do on Lizard Island for its panoramic views.

However, Rees had struggled with the hike and turned back on her own.

Her daughter Katherine said the family was “shocked and saddened” by what had happened.

“We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and mum fell ill on the hill climb,” she said on Thursday.

“She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.

“At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died alone.”

Katherine Rees said that from the information the family had received, it seemed there was a “failure of care and common sense”.

She said the Coral Adventurer had left Lizard Island without realising her mother was missing.

“I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved mum’s life,” she said.

Lizard Island is a resort island in the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Queensland.com

According to the reported timeline, the cruise ship departed Lizard Island in the afternoon, but Suzanne Rees’ absence went unnoticed by other passengers until she failed to show up for dinner at 6pm.

The cruise company raised the alarm with authorities later that night.

The Australian reports that the Coral Adventurer was turned around and about seven crew members were sent ahead in a smaller boat to search the island with torches.

A rescue helicopter was launched after midnight after Queensland Police were alerted at 11.45pm on Saturday.

Rees’ body was recovered on Sunday, about 50 metres off the hiking trail.

Investigations will be carried out by Queensland Police, the Queensland coroner, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Lizard Island, with its dozens of powdery white beaches, is the northern-most resort island in the Barrier Reef, about 93 kilometres north of Cooktown in Far North Queensland.

It’s a popular day-trip stop for cruise ships, with activities including snorkelling the reefs, hiking to Cook’s Look for panoramic views and swimming in the crystal waters.

Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield told News Corp on Tuesday that a search operation on land and sea was launched when Rees was reported missing.

“Following the operation, Coral Expeditions was notified by Queensland Police that the woman had been found deceased on Lizard Island,” he 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.”

Queensland Police said Rees’ death was being treated as “sudden and non-suspicious” and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Fifield said the cruise company had contacted Rees’ family.

“We will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process,” he said.

“We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.

“We are unable to comment further while this process is under way.”