Heron Island Resort on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Property Information:

Heron Island is a true coral cay right on the 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.

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 daytrippers either. The reef experience on Heron is exclusively for guests, a unique experience few other resorts in the world can offer. There's a relaxed island lifestyle that sets Heron Island Resort apart, a sophisicated yet casual resort atmosphere. Here the emphasis is on exploring and discovering the natural attractions that have made Heron famous around the world.

» Information on Wilson Island: Click this link.

SERVICE & FACILITIES:

Reception is open from 8.30am to 7.00pm (8.30am to 6.00pm during Autumn/Winter)
Major credit cards accepted (1% surcharge)
Foreign exchange and travellers cheques cashed
Safety deposit facilities
Eftpos facilities
Facsimile facilities
Postal service
Public telephones
Onward flight confirmations
Daily activity sheet - The Heron Times
Flora and fauna reference literature
Swimming pool
Beach towels
Board games
Guest Departure Facilities
Guest laundry facilities (machines complimentary)

Cots available
Resort Boutique stocking clothing, souvenirs, confectionary, magazines, newspapers, toiletries and voltage adaptors (voltage on Heron is 240V A.C.)
Marine Centre & Shop (PADI/NAUI qualified) for dive equipment hire and sales
Marine Parks interpretative Centre
Registered nurse & first aid centre
Heron Kids Junior Rangers Program (7-12 years inclusive) available during Australian school holidays - charges apply
Conference facility for up to 100 people
Evening nature slide presentations and latest movie releases
Internet access available at reception (dial-up)
Heron Island operates 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) all year round

» Sea Turtle Foundation «

Dear Guests:
Heron Island has a new partnership with the Sea Turtle Foundation.
This is a non-profit, non-government organisation that is dedicated to safeguarding sea turtle populations, migration routes and habitats.

Many guests come to Heron Island to specifically see the incredible Green and Loggerhead turtles which swim in the nearby waters. Heron Island has developed this partnership to provide guests with a greater opportunity to understand and support these amazing creatures.
During the guest's stay with them, you will be able to experience the positive results of this partnership.

The Foundation hope to buy a "Turtle Stretcher" which will help volunteers and guests to move trapped or stranded turtles, with minimal stress.
In future years the program hopes to set up live webcams, which will follow the nesting and hatching real time online. An acoustic telemetry project is also in the early stages of discussion which will allow satellite trackers to be attached to selected turtles to follow their movements and log the data on their migration.

The Foundation and the Heron Island Resort are hoping these projects will be supported by guest donations. Just $10.00 optional contribution upon checkout will allow the Sea Turtle Foundation to ensure there are ‘turtles for tomorrow’.

For further information about sea turtles and the work of the Sea Turtle Foundation, please visit www.seaturtlefoundation.org

Accommodation Information:

Heron Island offers 6 different types of accommodation options.

THE BEACH HOUSE: The Beach House offers a superior style of accommodation with a high degree of privacy. Set within a grove of trees, a private boardwalk provides access to the beach. Air conditioned, the Beach House offers a separate bedroom with spacious ensuite including a bath and shower and an expansive living area.

POINT SUITES: Set in a premium beachfront position with an outlook that offers uninterrupted reef views and magical sunsets, Point Suites are Heron's superior grade of accommodation. With an interior designed for relaxation, Point Suites are air-conditioned and enjoy a range of additional services and in-room comforts. 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:These are situated within a secluded garden setting with filtered ocean views and offer maximum privacy. Interiors are spacious and include a living area with sofa and armchair and separate sleeping area with King Size bed. Wistari Suites are air-conditioned and have a mini-bar, CD player and telephone in the room.

A private outdoor terrace features wooden furniture and a two person hammock. The Suites are a short stroll away from the central resort facilities, beach and walking tracks.

HERON BEACHSIDE SUITES: Offering absolute beach frontage with direct access to the water and views of the reef, Heron Beachside Suites are generous in size with villa-style inclusions. Double glass sliding doors fill the room with natural light and connect both the spacious bedroom and separate living space to a large outdoor balcony.

REEF SUITES: Positioned closer to the beach, Reef Suites offer filtered 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, these cottages have a relaxed casual style. Built in duplex fashion with two rooms per block, all Turtle Rooms are at ground level and feature a large deck and outdoor area. Interiors are bright and fresh, compact but comfortable. Standard and Family Rooms are available.

Location Information:

GETTING TO THE ISLAND

BY BOAT

Transfer duration: approx. 2 hours

Gladstone to Heron Island
A courtesy coach transfer from the airport to the Gladstone Marina. Transfer 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 at Gladstone Marina is at 10.30am, if not arriving off a flight.

Heron Island to Gladstone
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.

If your flight arrives into Gladstone after 10.00am or if your return flight departs Gladstone before 5.00pm, flying into and from Heron Island by helicopter is the only transfer option available.

BY HELICOPTER

Transfer duration: approx. 30 minutes

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

Chopperline Baggage Allowance: Passengers are restricted to one suitcase (maximum weight - 15kg) per person. Excess Luggage storage is available at Chopperline Terminal free of charge.

Method	Duration	One Way per person	Return per person
Reef Voyager Launch	2 hours	Adult: $99.50 Child: $49.75	Adult: $199.00 Child: $99.50
Regular Helicopter Transfer	30min	Adult: $370.00 Child: $200.00	Adult: $740.00 Child: $400.00

Rates valid till 31 March 2013

Boat Transfer Schedule
Gladstone to Heron Island			Heron Island to Gladstone
Depart Gladstone Airport	Depart Gladstone Marina	Arrive Heron Island	Depart Heron Island	Arrive Gladstone Marina	Arrive Gladstone Airport
10:00	11:00	14:00^	14:00^	15:45	16:00
^Heron Island operates 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) all year round.

Timetable: Voyages Regular Helicopter Transfer - Duration 30 min.
Gladstone to Heron Island		Heron Island to Gladstone
Depart	Arrive^	Depart^	Arrive
11:15	12:45	10:00	09:30
14:00	15:30	12:45	12:15
^Heron Island operates 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) all year round.

ISLAND ACTIVITIES

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

COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITIES