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.

Air Connections

Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Gladstone (GLT) with Qantas (QF). Gladstone is a 1 hour and 5 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 10.00am, 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.

Note: If your flight arrives into Gladstone after 10am, or if your return flight departs Gladstone before 5pm, then a helicopter transfer is the only transfer option available.

There are over 30 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 noteable dive sites around Heron include:

Heron Bommie: One of the most photographed dive sites in the country. Resident marine life is fantastic including schooling jacks, Barracuda, Strawberry Hussars plus Moray Eels, Sharks, Eagle Rays and Mantas. This series of bommies is located 2 minutes from the harbour. 5-20 meters.

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.

There are 6 styles of suites on the island, catering to all tastes and budgets.

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 Rooms

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
* Star Gazing
* Wildlife presentations
* Nightly movie & marine documentary
* Snorkelling lessons in swimming pool
* Tennis (night & day), including Table Tennis
* Natural History Slide Show
* Trivia Night
* Movies under the stars
* Nightly entertainment

Other Activities (Charges Apply)
* Turtle viewing (peak nesting season: December to April)
* Snorkelling excursions to the reef edge
* Beach Picnic Hampers
* Heron Kids Junior Ranger Program
* Semi-submersible coral viewing cruises (commentary by reef interpreter)
* Pool Tables
* 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
* Therapeutic massage