Heron Island - QLD

Located off Gladstone in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island is a stunning coral cay.

Arrive in turtle season (November – March) for one of nature’s greatest shows as turtles nest and hatchlings are born on the island’s edge.

It’s the turtle story that’s most polarising on Heron Island. In the 1920s it was a turtle soup cannery. Now, it’s a highly protected green zone on the Great Barrier Reef where these precious creatures thrive and future generations take their first tiny steps.

This island is much more than meets the eye, with amazing wildlife and tropical adventures in abundance. It's a true eco-experience, complete with a University of Queensland research station, which offers tours showcasing the incredible work being done to preserve the reef.

Heron Island is accessible by water on the Heron Islander (2 hours) departing Gladstone Marina every day except Tuesday and Thursday. The island is also accessible by helicopter (30 minutes) departing Gladstone Airport with Marine Helicopters and by seaplane (25 minutes) with Australia by Seaplane, located close to the main Gladstone Airport terminal.