Heron IslandHeron Island

Heron Island is located off Gladstone, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef National Park. It is a beautiful island right on the Great Barrier Reef with a very pretty resort. For those who don't like to be on liveaboards or are traveling with children, Heron Island is the solution.

Heron Island is located east of the coastal town of Gladstone which is the place from where you can reach the island. There is a daily catamaran transfer from Gladstone Marina (Flight arrival before 10 am - check-in before 10.30am; boat departure 11.00am). The ferry returns from the island in the afternoon (return to Gladstone Marina at about 3.45pm).
The vessel takes a little under two hours to get to the island. Alternatively you can use a helicopter service which offers fantastic views of the reef and very flexible schedules. You reach Gladstone by daily flights from Brisbane.

Apart from the resort and a research station, the island is uninhabited. No cars, no noise, just diving and relaxing. There is also no mobile phone reception on the island. The only other group of inhabitants is large groups of roosting seabirds which really dominate the place. All meals are included in the prices. The meals are delicious and served in the resorts' restaurant.

Heron Island Resort has 109 rooms for guests. All rooms have either a balcony or patio. All rooms have ironing facilities, ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities, ceiling fans and fridge. They offer accommodation in different price ranges.

The TURTLE ROOMS are centrally located in a garden setting, a short walk away from the beach and close to the central resort facilities. They are all at ground and each has a small patio. Turtle rooms can be configured as family rooms.

The REEF ROOMS are positioned close to the beach and have reef or water views through a canopy of beach trees and scrubs.

The large BEACH SIDE SUITES offer spectacular views over the Great Barrier Reef and are set in a prime beach side location with direct access to the beach and reef.

The BEACH HOUSE offers maximum privacy, it is located at the beach side and set within a grove of trees. The Beach House has filtered ocean views and a private boardwalk provides direct access to the beach.

The POINT SUITE is the most luxurious accommodation on Heron island. Uninterrupted views of the reef and sunsets over the ocean.

Usually two dives per day are offered for certified divers. The dive shop has a comfortable day boat which brings you to the best dive sites. Twice per week they offer a night dive. Diving is organised by a PADI/NAUI dive shop. Open water courses are not offered on the island at the moment. However, referral dive courses are still on offer.

Heron Island’s dive shop offers the options of boat diving or shore diving. Shore Diving is from the beach across the reef flat, whilst boat diving is from purpose-built aluminum dive tenders. The diving in the region is rather shallow with average depths of around 15-25 metres. Maximum depth on only a few dive sites would be around 28 meters. It is easy, relaxed diving.

Diving at the southern end of the Barrier Reef is a little different to the north. Whilst the reef here is home to almost all of the tropical water fish of further north, there are as well several species of temperate water fish. Without doubt, you get the best diving at the Great Barrier Reef from liveaboards, however, if you do not want to stay on overnight boats, Heron Island is the best option for an island resort with good dive sites.

Divers will love the great variety of fish on Heron: Imperial angelfish are common, other resident fish include gropers, coral trout, batfish, lionfish, wrasse, parrotfish, surgeonfish and a variety of butterfly fish. Invertebrate life around the corals is impressive and a number of nudibranch and flatworm species are common.

Heron offers everything that makes a dive and beach holiday a great experience. For interested guests they offer guided snorkel tours and reef walks. You can play tennis, watch the stars, go to another island and do whale watching (June to September).

Wilson Island
If you like an island stay without diving and are happy with just like snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, Wilson Island might be the right choice for you. Wilson Island is a tiny coral cay, surrounded with pristine reef and beaches. Wilson Island offers comfortable designer-inspired tent accommodation for a maximum of just 12 guests. It is only 15 km away from Heron Island. Something special! Exclusive 6-star camping. Please ask us for more details.

Heron Island is a great choice for the entire family. Divers travelling with children or non-divers, on Heron everybody can have a great time and choose various activities. Accommodation choices are plenty for every budget.