Heron Island Resort is right on the Great Barrier Reef.

On Heron Island you can swim straight off the beach to an endless garden of coral bursting with beautifully coloured fish. But it’s what you don’t see around Heron Island that makes the resort so special. You won’t see any buildings above the tree line. And you won’t see any day trippers either. Too many buildings and too many people would put too much pressure on the delicate balance of nature.

Being on the reef gives Heron Island World Heritage status and that’s something few other resorts in the world can offer. The semi-sub gives people of all ages an underwater guided tour along the reef edge.

At Heron Island Resort, the mosaic of the reef surrounds you even as you enjoy a drink in the air-conditioned Pandanus Lounge.

Heron Island Resort - Aqua Soul Spa

Drawing its inspiration from Heron Island's dramatic Great Barrier Reef location, Aqua Soul Spa is influenced by the rich and diverse beauty of the sea.

At Aqua Soul the strength of the sea is supported by earth elements and intertwined in treatments that have been created to instil a sense of health and well being. Our belief in the healing properties of marine elements and natural botanicals and the positive influence they have on uplifting the spirit is why each signature therapy is a blend of marine and other natural elements designed to balance the body and refresh the mind.

Heron Island Aqua Soul Spa is open between 10.00am and 7.00pm daily. Please make your appointment at the Spa.

NB: Our Spa environment lends itself only to those 16 years of age and over.

Heron Island Resort - Diving

Heron Island is famous around the world because exciting diving is made easy. There are three dives daily (9am, 11am & 3pm) with a choice of over a dozen major sites all just minutes from the beach.

Dive Tuition
If you’ve always wanted to go diving but never got around to taking the plunge, our One Day Scuba Experience is the perfect introduction to the sport. You’ll spend the morning learning the theory, followed by a session in the pool, then take to the reef for a supervised shallow water dive.

If you’re after an internationally recognised Open Water Diving Certificate, there’s no better place to learn than on Heron. Dive Courses must be pre-booked and participants must arrive on a Saturday. Make sure you allow seven days. Two passport sized photos are required for your certificate.

Adventure and Night Dives
For those who want a comfortable day away discovering virgin reefs, Heron Island offers Adventure Diving. And to top off your diving holiday, try a Night Dive. You’ll witness a dazzling performance from a cast of thousands never seen during the light of day.

The Heron Island Dive Shop
Our professional dive shop has a complete range of the latest gear for hire and sale.

Heron Island Resort - Location

Being at the Brisbane end of the Great Barrier Reef means access to Heron is easy.

• All sea and air transfers are made via Gladstone.
• Gladstone is just over an hour by air or 6 hours by road from Brisbane.
• Coach and train services depart Brisbane daily.
• From Gladstone, Heron is 2 hours by sea aboard the launch or a half hour trip by helicopter. Flights depart daily on demand.

Air Connections
Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Gladstone (GLT) with Qantas (QF). Gladstone is a 1 hour and 20 minute flight from Brisbane (or a 6 hour drive from Brisbane). Australian residents can check with P&O Australian Resorts for the best available airfares.

Launch
Arrival: The launch 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 10.15am, after the arrival of the early morning flights into Gladstone. The coach arrives at the Marina 10-15 minutes later. The launch arrives at Heron island at approximately 2.00pm Heron Island time. Buffet lunch is served upon arrival at Heron Island.

Departure: The launch 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. Flights arriving into Gladstone to meet the launch must arrive no later than 10.00am. Flights departing Gladstone must depart no earlier than 4.20pm. Bookings can be made through P&O Australian Resorts. To fully confirm launch transfers, arrival and departure details for Gladstone must be advised.

Note: This service does not operate on Christmas Day.

Car lock up facilities at Gladstone Marina:
Security car lock up facilites are available at Gladstone Marina. This may be pre-booked by ringing 07 4972 7283 (Gladstone Marina Bait & Tackle) or on arrival please see P&O Marine staff at the Marina.

Helicopter
Marine Helicopters depart Gladstone Airport daily on demand during daylight hours (generally 0800H - 1800H). The flight to Heron Island takes 30 minutes. It is essential that Marine Helicopters are advised of exactly how guests are arriving and departing Gladstone (eg flying, driving, train or staying overnight). If arriving by air, flight numbers must be provided as transfers cannot be confirmed until this information is provided.

Baggage Allowance: Passengers on Marine Helicopter transfers to Heron island may be restricted to one suitcase and one small carry-on item of hand luggage (combined maximum weight - 15kg). Excess Luggage storage available at the airport free of charge.

Heron Island Resort