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HERON ISLAND RESORT


Overview l Photos l Location l Facilities l Dining l Activities l Accommodation l Rates and Bookings

Overview

Images of Heron Island Resort

Being right on Australia's Great Barrier Reef has always given Heron the advantage over other resorts. Most are Continental Shelf Island are made of rock and stone in some cases up to 70 kilometres form the reef they promise.

Heron is made of coral, and this makes it the first choice for tourist, nature lovers, researchers and divers from around the world. On Heron you walk straight from the beach to the reef edge and the waters are literally teeming with sealife.

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 in this national park 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's a relaxed island lifestyle that sets Heron 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.

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? Join a guided reef walk to learn more about the unique ecology of the Great Barrier Reef or snorkel off the beach and come face to face with the kaleidoscope of marine life just below the surface. Enjoy a day trip to explore an idyllic, uninhabited coral cay or spend the day just lazing by the pool. The choice is yours. At night there's live entertainment, dancing or a quiet drink at the Pandanus Lounge. On Heron, all meals are included in your tariff and you'll find a range of accommodation to suit your budget. As you would expect, Heron takes great pride in maintaining the higher standards of food and service.
Heron Island runs on Daylight Saving time all year, which is one hour ahead of Queensland mainland time.

Photos

Photo gallery Click here to view Photo Gallery

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Location & Transfers

Heron Island Resort lies on the Tropic of Capricorn, 72 kilometres off the Queensland coast NE of Gladstone. Once at Gladstone, you have a choice of transfer options to get to Heron Island itself.

Map of Heron Island

LAUNCH TRANSFER
Service operates daily between Gladstone marina and Heron Island. Prices quoted are per person and include transfer from Gladstone airport to Gladstone marina. Please note Heron Island is one (1) hour ahead of Queensland mainland time.
Adult $99.50 each way
Child 2-12 $49.75 each way

HELICOPTER (REGULAR SERVICE)
Flight Details MUST be supplied at time of booking to ensure appropriate flight times are allocated. Please allow a minimum connection time of thirty (30) minutes to meet flights. Please note Heron Island is one (1) hour ahead of Queensland mainland time.
PRICE TBA

NB. Prices are a guide only and subject to change, please reconfirm at time of booking.

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Facilities

Our facilities include:

  • Reception is open from 8.30am to 7.00pm (8.30am to 6.00pm during Autumn/Winter)
  • Major credit cards accepted
  • 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
  • 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
  • Heron Island operates 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) all year round

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Dining

The only dining facility on the island is in the Shearwater Restaurant!

  • Breakfast 07:30am – 09:30am (buffet style)
  • Lunch 12:30pm – 02:00pm (buffet style)
  • Dinner 06:30pm – 10:00pm (5 nights a La Carte & 2 nights buffet)
    A La Carte is a 3 course dinner with a choice of 4 mains.

Alcohol is rather expensive on the island, the cheapest bottle of wine is $40.00 ($12.00 a glass) and Beer averages $6.00 a stubby. NB. Prices are a guide and subject to change .


Interior view of Orpheus Retreat rooms

Nautilus Suites on Orpheus Island Resort
Shearwater Restaurant: Breakfast and lunch are buffet style while dinner features a 3 course table d'hote or Saturday seafood buffet and mid week Aussie BBQ. Open for breakfast from 7.30am - 9.30am, lunch is served from 12.30pm - 2.30pm & dinner is served 6.30pm - 9.00pm. Special diets catered for by prior arrangement. A picnic hamper service is available on request.

Pandanus Lounge & Baillie's Bar: The Bar & Lounge features panoramic reef views, with a cocktail bar, entertainment lounge, dance floor and a mezzanine level library area. The Bar & Lounge opens to an outdoor terrace. Open from 10.00am to midnight.

Wistari Room: An AC presentation room for evening movies and events.

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Activities

Please note: Some activities are subject to weather conditions. Some activities, including diving and snorkelling, have age limitations due to safety regulations.

Complimentary Activities:

  • Guided reef walks (operate daily subject to tides)
  • Island ecology walks
  • Guided birdlife walks
  • Stargazing
  • Wildlife presentations
  • Beach picnic hampers
  • Snorkelling lessons in swimming pool
  • Tennis (night & day) & table tennis
  • Natural history slide show
  • Trivia night
  • Movies under the stars
  • Nightly movie and marine documentary

Optional Activities (charges apply):

  • Snorkelling excursions to the reef edge
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Semi-submersible coral viewing cruises - commentary by reef interpretor
  • Guided research station walks
  • Scubadiving
  • 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
  • Turtle viewing (peak nesting times)
  • Craft workshop activities
  • Pool tables

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Accommodation

Heron Island offers a range of accommodation.

Checking in to your room is easy, you can do it at the Marina in Gladstone so when you arrive on the island you are free to go straight to lunch, snorkel or head straight to the beach to relax.

All of our rooms feature

  • A balcony or patio
  • Ceiling fans
  • A refrigerator
  • Tea & coffee making facilities
  • Beach towels
  • A clock radio
  • Ironing facilities
  • Extra pillows & blankets
  • En-suite bathroom with shower
  • Hairdryers

Heron Beachside Suites, Point and Wistari Suites and The Beach House also offer:

  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Coffee plungers
  • A Mini bar
  • A CD player
  • Evening Turndown Service*
  • Air-conditioning*

* Unavailable in Heron Beachside Suites


Heron Island accommodation
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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 including oversized sofa and a work desk with direct dial STD/IDD telephone. Other in-room features include a fully stocked mini bar (replenished daily) and CD player. Guests receive a deluxe fruit basket on arrival and a sunset canapé platter and ice bucket is delivered each afternoon. The Beach House also offers its own private outdoor shower.

Heron Island accommodation
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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 including a fully stocked mini bar (replenished daily), a CD player and phones. Guests receive a deluxe fruit basket on arrival and a sunset canapé platter and ice bucket - perfect for pre-dinner drinks - is delivered each afternoon. 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.

Heron Island accommodation
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Wistari Suites
Wistari Suites are 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. Wistari Suites are air-conditioned and have a fully stocked mini-bar with CD Player and telephone in each room. Similarly to the Point Suites and Beach House, Wistari Suite guests receive a deluxe fruit basket on arrival and a sunset canapé platter and ice bucket each afternoon.

Heron Island accommodation
Click image to enlarge
Heron Beachside Suite
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. The living area features a divan as well as comfortable armchairs and coffee table. A large bathroom and an in-room CD are among some of the other features of a Heron Suite.

Heron Island accommodation
Click image to enlarge
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.

Heron Island accommodation
Click image to enlarge
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.

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Rates and Bookings

Click for more information, quotes and online bookings

  • Holidays Direct offers discounts off the rates for this property all year round
  • Our discount is in addition to any other specials on offer
  • Call 1300 300 633 or email for a quote or click the button below for online quotes/ bookings

Book with confidence

Holidays Direct is an Australian registered Travel Agency affiliated with the Jetset Travelworld Group with AFTA membership and Travel Compensation Fund accreditation. We are proud members of the ICCA and our consultants have undertaken cruise training and hold current ICCA accreditation.

Use a Licensed Travel Agency for the benefit of added protection:
In Australia, licensed travel agencies contribute to the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF). The TCF is used to compensate consumers who do not receive any travel services purchased from a licensed travel agency, travel wholesaler or travel supplier. Claims against the TCF are reviewed by an independent Board of Trustees.  

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