Good For You

Heron Island is a true coral cay island - made up entirely of coral and situated on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Here you can walk from your room into crystal-clear aquamarine waters and in minutes find yourself surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colourful coral and marine life.

Heron Island is extremely popular with nature lovers. The island has its own research centre, one of the best dive sites on the reef and is both a bird sanctuary and turtle nesting ground. But the range of activities on offer at the resort, sheer beauty of the island and the magic of the reef make it an equally popular choice with families and couples.

Good For Australia

Heron Island is owned by Voyages Hotels & Resorts who are committed to nurturing and sharing Australia's sensitive and complex eco and cultural destinations and also to protecting them for generations to come. Heron Island Resort was awarded Advanced Eco-Certification by Ecotourism Australia.

On Heron Island the resort runs its own power generator, potable water production and wastewater treatment as well as providing these services to the independent Heron Island Research Station and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Ranger Station.

Being situated on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, the resort is committed to informing guests on the importance of minimising their impact upon the environment. A range of talks and activities are on offer that outlines the need for guests to respect the environment they are in.

Rooms

Food

Features & Facilities

• Bar & Lounge
• Restaurant
• Swimming pool
• Cots available
• Internet access available at reception
• Evening nature slide presentations and latest movie releases
• Conference facility for up to 100 people
• Marine Parks interpretative Centre
• Marine Centre & Shop (PADI/NAUI qualified) for dive equipment hire and sales

Local Info & Activities

On Heron Island, the emphasis is on enjoying natural beauty. Set amongst a dazzling parade of aquamarine waters, shimmering white sand beaches and colour splashed reefs teeming with life. Here you can explore the reef, encounter extraordinary marine life and discover the attractions that have made Heron famous around the globe – like some of the best diving in the world.

Scuba Diving Heron Island is famous around the world because it is exciting diving made easy. There's no need for day trips to the Reef because you're already there, so you can easily enjoy up to three full dives a day. There are over twenty different dive sites, more than half of which are just fifteen minutes from the beach. With so many acres of living coral literally teeming with fish, it's easy to see why keen divers keep coming back to Heron.

Heron Island offers diving opportunities to everyone from beginners through to experienced divers. There is a full serviced Dive Shop on the island which is open daily from 8.15am to 5.30pm. Discover scuba diving courses are held in addition to PADI qualifications and diving experiences for the more advanced diver.

The water temperature ranges from 20-22°C (68-70°F) in winter and 25-27°C (77-80°F) in summer. A full wetsuit is recommended between March and October.

Aqua Soul Spa

Drawing its inspiration from Heron Island's dramatic Great Barrier Reef location, the Aqua Soul Spa is influenced by the rich and diverse beauty of the sea. Aqua Soul Spa has been created to enhance guests' health and well-being by embracing the powerful healing qualities of the sea and earth. Indulgent and nurturing, each signature therapy is a blend of marine and other natural elements designed to balance the physical and emotional body.

Heron Kids Junior Rangers Program

Held during the Australian school holidays this program is for children aged 7-12 years (inclusive). It allows children to participate in hands-on activities to learn more about the environment and wildlife. A one-off registration fee helps generate funds for the Queensland Turtle Conservation Program.

The Junior Rangers Program offers a range of nature based activities designed to nurture a sense of exploration and caring for the environment, from reef walks, bird-watching and beachcombing through to paper making, tree planting and even the opportunity to design and run your own resort island. Junior Ranger activities contribute to the earning of a variety of colourful embroidered badges, from the "Three-Kilometre Badge" through to the highly prized "Junior Ranger Badge".

A range of other resort and family activities can also contribute to badges, including fishing, snorkelling, semi-submersible trips or just walking around the island! Even travelling to and from the island on the boat or helicopter can earn badges.

Heron Island's newly revised Junior Rangers Program has been developed by Heron Island's experienced team of Marine Biologists and Naturalist Guides, with the co-operation of the University of Queensland, and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Complimentary Activities at Heron Island include:

• Guided reef walks (operate daily subject to tides)

• Island ecology walks

• Tennis (night & day) & table tennis

• Movies under the stars

• Nightly movie and marine documentary

Sustainability

Heron Island is famous around the world for its spectacular coral reef, its extraordinary variety of aquatic life, migrating whales, nestling turtles and as a breading ground for an abundance of birdlife.

Voyages Hotels & Resorts is committed to nurturing and sharing Australia's sensitive and complex eco and cultural destinations and also to protecting them for generations to come. Heron Island Resort was awarded Advanced Eco-Certification by Ecotourism Australia.

Heron Island resort runs its own power generation, potable water production and wastewater treatment and also provides these services to the independent Heron Island Research Station and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Ranger Station.

Awareness

The resort believes that keeping guests well informed is important to allow them to enjoy their holiday without impacting upon the environment. The “Meet and Greet” is the first step to awareness for guests and outlines the need for guests to respect the environment they are in.

Qualified 'Interpretive Activities' guides conduct a range of guided walks, interpretive hands-on workshops, video and slide-show presentations and telescope sky viewings. Guided walks to watch female turtles nesting or new hatchlings race to the ocean are carefully managed so that the turtles are not disturbed or disorientated. No torches are allowed at anytime during turtle viewing.

The Information Centre at the Resort provides informative displays, including written information, posters and pictures, and three-dimensional marine environment displays. The Centre is manned by professional and informed guides/attendants who provide further depth to the information available and can also advise on options for tours, guiding and presentations.

The Junior Ranger Program allows children to participate in hands-on activities to learn more about the environment and wildlife. A one-off registration fee helps generate funds for the Queensland Turtle Conservation Program.

Extensive written material is available in handouts, pamphlets and guidelines which cover a range of topics including Turtle Watching, Birds, Whale Watching, the shipwreck HMCS Protector and a self-guided Island and Forest Circuit.

Ecosystems

A highlight of Heron Island is its close proximity to spectacular snorkelling and dive sites of the Great Barrier Reef. Voyages is now involved in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's voluntary Marine Monitoring Program where staff take samples and install passive samplers to monitor potential mainland risks to the reef's water quality, including pesticides and fertilisers.

Heron Island is also a significant nesting location for two vulnerable turtle species, the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). Strict guidelines are place for the viewing of nesting and hatching turtles.

The island is dominated by Pisonia (Pisonia grandis) forest.

Through all but a few months the island is a breeding and nesting sanctuary for a variety of birds, primarily the Black Noddy Terns (Anous minutus) and the Wedge-Tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus). Bird nesting holes are protected with covering boards as the nests are often found in the middle of a trail or path.

AWARDS

Heron Island Resort was awarded Advanced Eco-Certification by Ecotourism Australia.

Getting There

Heron Island lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, 72 kilometres NE off the coast from Gladstone. Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Gladstone with Qantas. Transfers between Gladstone and Heron Island:

By Boat

If your flight arrives in Gladstone before 10.00am: A courtesy coach transfer to the Gladstone Marina departs 10.00am, and arrives at the marina 10-15 minutes later. The boat service departs Gladstone Marina at 11.00am daily (excluding Christmas Day). Final check-in time is at 10.30am, if not arriving off a flight.

If your return flight departs Gladstone after 5.00pm: The return boat transfer departs Heron Island at approx. 2.30pm Island time (1.30pm EST), arriving into Gladstone approx. 3.45pm EST. A courtesy transfer is available for immediate transfer to Gladstone Airport.

Transfer duration: approx. 2 hours

By Helicopter

If your flight arrives in Gladstone after 10.00am or if your return flight departs Gladstone before 5.00pm:

Australian Helicopters operates scenic transfers between Gladstone Airport and Heron Island daily (excluding Christmas Day) on demand during daylight hours (generally 0800 - 1800).

Guests must advise Australian Helicopters of their flight details and number into and departing Gladstone and confirm transfers directly with Australian Helicopters prior to arrival in Gladstone. Transfer duration: approx. 30 minutes

A baggage allowance applies for helicopter transfers, passengers are restricted to one suitcase (maximum weight - 15kg) per person. Excess Luggage storage is available at Gladstone airport free of charge.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

All prices are in Australian Dollars ($) per person per night. Children are free in a room with their parents.

• Turtle Room $185.00 (per peson dble) $348.00 (Sole Use)
• Reef Suite $220.00 (per person dble) $418.00 (Sole Use)
• Heron Beachside $295.00 (per person dble) $568.00 (Sole Use)
• Wistari Suite $415.00 (per peson dble) $808.00 (Sole Use)
• Point Suite $415.00 (per peson dble) $808.00 (Sole Use)
• Beach House $4155.00 (per peson dble) $808.00 (Sole Use)

Rates are per person, per night including full buffet breakfast and many island activities.

Child rates are for children aged 3-12 years (inclusive)

A child aged 12 years and under dines free of charge (one child free per paying adult) if accompanied by a paying adult at a buffet restaurant.

All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, inclusive of GST.

booking & cancellation policy

A 10% deposit is required within to confirm the reservation. All bookings and payments must be guaranteed at time of booking, by credit card and full payment is required on check out of accommodation.

Cancellation fees for accommodation are as follows: 3 days or more prior to arrival: Nil. Less than 3 days prior to arrival: room rate for 1 night only per room cancelled, ticket price on pre-booked day tours and any transfers.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.