Local Destinations
		Queensland • Great Barrier Reef • Heron Island • Lady Elliot Island • Liveaboards
	Hotels and Resorts
		Heron Island Resort
	Activities on Heron Island
	Australia Map
	Diving on Heron Island
	Location Travel Tips

Heron Island is a true coral cay right on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Here you can swim straight off the beach to an endless garden of coral where the waters are literally teeming with beautifully coloured fish and marine life.

There's a relaxed island lifestyle that sets Heron apart, a sophisticated yet casual resort atmosphere. Here the emphasis is on exploring and discovering the natural attractions that have made Heron famous around the world.

You'll enjoy some of the world's best reef diving. There's a choice of spectacular sites just minutes from the beach, and its a fantastic place to learn to dive.

Getting There:
Air Connections

Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Gladstone (GLT) with Qantas (QF). Gladstone is a 1 hour and 20 minute flight from Brisbane (or a 6 hour drive from Brisbane).

Boat Transfers

Arrival: The boat transfer service departs Gladstone Marina at 11.00am daily, final check-in time is 10.30am if not arriving off a flight at the airport. The courtesy transfer to the Marina leaves the airport daily at 10.15am, after the arrival of the early morning flights into Gladstone. The coach arrives at the Marina 10-15 minutes later. The boat transfer arrives at Heron Island at approximately 2.00pm Heron Island time. Buffet lunch is served upon arrival at Heron Island.

Departure: The boat transfer departs Heron Island at approximately 2.00pm Island time or 1.00pm EST. Arrival time into Gladstone is approximately 3.45pm EST and a courtesy transfer is available for immediate transfer to the airport.

There are over twenty different dive sites around Heron Island, more than half of which are just fifteen minutes from the beach.

Advantages of Heron Island:
- Minimal time to dive sites (5-15 minutes)
- Shallow dives available (18 metres maximum)
- Long bottom times can be obtained (up to 45 minutes)
- Buoyed dive sites
- Stable platform style boats with shaded canopies
- Dive masters dive all dives
- Giant stride entries - exit via wide ladders
- No carrying of tanks or weights at any time
- All dive sites located within a Marine National Park
- Highest quality dive equipment
- Up to three dives per day
- Two tank morning dives
- Night and Adventure Dives

Some noteworthy dive sites around Heron include:
Walts Bommie:
Relatively flat sandy bottom surrounding a series of scattered bommies. The site attracts Green and Loggerhead turtles, Black and White Tip Reef Sharks and cradles a wealth of colorful Nudibranchs. 14 meters.
Coral Grotto:
Affectionately known as the Turtle Grotto. You can see turtles everywhere. Asleep, swimming, feeding or just being Turtles. 8-18 meters.
Gorgonia Hole: Gorgonia and fan corals abound on the spectacular reef edge. Discover Mantas, Reef Sharks and Turtles. 7-16 meters.

Heron Island Resort

It's what you don't see around Heron that makes the resort so special. You won't see any buildings above the tree line. And you won't bump into any day trippers either. The reef experience on Heron is exclusively for guests, a unique experience few other resorts in the world can offer.

Accommodation:
Heron Beachside Suites
Offers absolute beach frontage with direct access to the water and views of the reef. Generous in size with villa-style inclusions. Double glass sliding doors fill the room with natural light and connect both the bedroom and living space to a large outdoor balcony. Also boasts a large bathroom and an in-room CD player.

Reef Suites
Positioned closer to the beach, Reef Suites offer reef and water views through a canopy of beachside trees. The living area extends outdoors to a balcony or garden setting; interiors are light-filled, modern and comfortable

Turtle Rooms
Located in a garden setting a short walk away from the beach. Built in duplex fashion with two rooms per block, all Turtle Rooms are at ground level and feature a large deck and outdoor area. Standard and Family Rooms are available  

Beachside Suite

Reef Suite

Turtle Room

The Beach House
Offers stylish accommodation with a high degree of privacy. Set within a grove of trees, a private boardwalk provides access to the beach. Air conditioned and offers a separate bedroom with spacious ensuite including a bath and shower. Contains an expansive living area including large sofa and a work desk with direct dial STD/IDD phone. The Beach House also offers its own private outdoor shower

Point Suite
Point Suites are spacious in design and include a large ensuite and separate dressing room. A generous living area extends through glass doors to an extensive outdoor terrace where sun lounges, for the exclusive use of Point Suite guests can be found.

Wistari Suites
An excellent alternative for guests seeking maximum privacy. Located on the point and situated within a garden setting with ocean views. Interiors are spacious with contemporary design elements including a 3 seater couch and armchair and King Size bed in an area separate to living. A private outdoor terrace features stylish wooden furniture and a two person hammock.

Amenities:
All suites are air-conditioned and have a fully stocked mini-bar with CD player and telephone in each room. Point Suites, Beach House and Wistari Suite guests receive a deluxe fruit basket on arrival and a sunset canapé platter and fresh ice each afternoon.

The Beach House

Point Suite

Wistari Suite

Complimentary Activities
Interpretative reef walks (operate daily subject to tides)
Island ecology walks
Birdlife walks
Turtle viewing (peak nesting times)
Star Gazing
Wildlife presentations
Beach picnic hampers
Snorkelling lessons in swimming pool
Tennis (night & day)
Reef Creature interpretative workshops
Research station walks
Movies under the stars
Nightly entertainment

Other Activities (charges apply)
Snorkelling excursions to the reef edge
Heron Kids Junior Ranger Program
Semi-submersible coral viewing cruises - commentary by reef interpreter
Guided glass bottom surf ski tours
Scuba diving
MV Wahoo Diving and Fishing charters
Night dives
Adventure dives
Discover Scuba (1 day resort course)
PADI Dive Courses
Fishing trips
Scenic helicopter flights
Sunset wine & cheese cruises
Wine & cheese tastings
Therapeutic massage