As the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the Gladstone Region is home to the world-famous Heron Island, considered one of the top dive and snorkelling sites in the world.
So, whether it’s diving in deep-water coral lagoons, personalised reef fishing tours, or the simple pleasure of watching turtle hatchlings emerging from their sandy nests to scurry down the beach towards the sea, there really is something for everyone to sample on Heron Island.
Take a step back and admire what you’re about to witness as the Southern Great Barrier Reef takes your breath away. With stunning coral reefs, colourful marine life and a rainbow of blue water as far as the eye can see, witnessing the magic of the world’s largest coral reef is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed.
Reef walking, viewing underwater life from a semi-submersible, watching the sunset over the ocean, you become part of a community caught up in the timeless evolution of the world’s largest living thing – the Great Barrier Reef.
Instead of the Famous Five, on Heron Island, you can tick off nature’s Famous Eight – turtles, reef sharks, groupers, clown fish, manta rays, Maori wrasse, humpback whales (June to October) and dolphins.
And with the Heron Island LOCALS ONLY offer, now is the perfect time to explore the underwater world on Heron.
From a diving perspective, it’s paradise – three dives per day, plus night dives in reasonably shallow clear water, with most dive sites just minutes from the jetty. There are dive sites all around the reef that surrounds Heron Island and the adjacent Wistari Reef, so there is always a suitable spot whichever way the wind is blowing.
If you’re not a diver, then you can snorkel at Heron Island directly off the beach or on one of the three daily snorkel/dive boat tours offering a kaleidoscope of colourful fish and coral on Heron on Heron and Wistari Reefs, all within easy reach of Heron Island.
There really is something for everyone. Why wait? Take advantage of Heron Island’s LOCALS OFFER now.
GETTING THERE
BOAT: Heron Island is easily accessible via boat transfer departing daily from Gladstone Marina except for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Christmas Day. Transfer duration: approximately 2 hours
SEAPLANE: Begin your holiday by catching a scenic seaplane flight between Gladstone and Heron Island and experience a unique perspective of the Great Barrier Reef. Arriving into Gladstone, please make your way to the Australia by Seaplane Office, close to the main Gladstone Airport Terminal.
Please allow 75 minutes prior to arrival and departure to allow for check-in procedures. A minimum of two or four passengers per flight are required to operate, depending on aircraft availability. Transfer duration: approximately 25 minutes
HELICOPTER CHARTER: Sit back, relax and enjoy expert commentary by our experienced pilot as your flight from Gladstone passes Facing Island, Curtis Island, Coral Sea, Polmaise Reef, Masthead Island, Erskine Island and Wistari Reef before arriving at Heron Island. Transfer duration: approximately 30 minutes.