Wilson Island is essentially natural - a divine sweep of caster sugar sands that is home to turtles and birds. This tiny coral cay is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it, its pristine waters host to an unimaginable variety of marine life including coral and fish.

Guests on Wilson Island are able to enjoy exceptional snorkeling, bird watching, island and reef walks or simply relaxing within the peaceful natural setting, enjoying the stunning views. Wilson Island is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended.

Wilson Island offers comfortable designer-inspired tent accommodation for a maximum of just 12 guests. The remote coral cay is located 8 nautical miles from Heron Island (Approximately 40 minutes by boat).

Itinerary.
The Wilson Island Experience commences on Thursdays only and will not be available in February when National Parks closes Wilson Island for the seabird nesting season.
Additional nights on Heron Island can be booked pre and post Wilson Island.

Thursday - Day One - Heron Island.
Arrive at Heron Island – a World Heritage Listed coral cay right on the Great Barrier Reef.
Set amongst a dazzling parade of aquamarine waters, shimmering white sand beaches and colour-splashed reefs teeming with life, Heron Island resort is designed in harmony with its spectacular natural surrounds and provides for a holiday that is both relaxing and comfortable.

Friday - Day Two - Wilson Island.
Transfer times to Wilson Island depend on tide, so today’s activity options on Heron Island will vary. There may be time for a swim, in-season viewing Turtle nesting on the beach (November to March), followed by a leisurely breakfast and perhaps an Island walk.

Saturday - Day Three - Wilson Island.
The first full day on your Great Barrier Reef island. Perhaps a morning swim, snorkeling straight off the beach in front of your tent. The rest of the day is open to do as you please. Explore the Island and discover the beaches, find a hammock and laze the day away or perhaps join your hosts on a snorkeling safari to some of the nearby reefs.

Sunday - Day Four - Wilson Island.
Another day in paradise. Walk around the Island enjoying the fresh morning air, perhaps scout for turtles nesting along the shore (October to March) or walk to the area of the Island known as the ‘Flintstone Chairs’. From these naturally carved stone ‘chairs’ you’ll be in the perfect location to watch a dramatic Wilson Island sunrise.

Monday - Day Five - Heron Island.
Depending on the tide, you may be able to enjoy a full day on Wilson Island or your transfer to Heron Island may take place early in the day. Your Hosts will advise you on transfer times and how to make the most of your last day on Wilson Island. This evening you will be back on Heron Island with the full facilities of the resort and its activities program open to you.

The Longhouse:
The Longhouse is the central dining and relaxation area, featuring the long table, where most meals are enjoyed, a large comfortable banquette seating area for relaxing and socialising and an open kitchen. Guests are encouraged to treat the Longhouse as their own home, helping themselves to the library, beverages and snacks as they please.

Community Tent:
A Community Tent, with open sides, large comfortable day beds, a selection of magazines and binoculars provides guests the perfect place to relax, chill out, and enjoy the stunning ocean, reef and sunset views!

Activities:

• Relax in a hammock
• Take a self-guided nature walk
• Join your Hosts for a guided island or reef walk. (upon request)
• Experience the wonder of watching Green and Loggerhead turtles laying their eggs or their baby hatchlings emerging from their nests. (in season)
• Enjoy world class snorkeling directly off the beach. (equipment provided)
• Discover the night sky as your hosts provide a stargazing talk.
• Watch birds nesting from the comfort of our specially designed bird-hide.
• Re-invent yourself as a ‘Beachcomber’.
• Challenge your fellow adventurers to a board game.
• Help yourself to our library of educational books, novels, magazines & CD’s.

Diving:
Half day diving charters are available on board the MV Wahoo, a custom built 9m mono hull vessel that provides the perfect platform for dive expeditions. Advance booking is required. Wilson Island is located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, approximately 80 kilometres north east off the coast of Gladstone and 15 kilometres from nearby Heron Island. Gladstone is 534 kilometres north of Brisbane and 1183 kilometres south of Cairns.

Getting There:

Access to Heron Island -
Air Connections: Via Gladstone with QantasLink. A 30 minute helicopter flight from Gladstone Airport to Heron Island is operated by Marine Helicopters. Baggage allowance for helicopter transfers is limited to one suitcase and one small carry-on item of hand luggage. A limit of 15kg per person applies. Excess luggage storage available at the airport free of charge.

Sea Connections: A courtesy coach departs from Gladstone Airport 10.15am daily to Gladstone Marina, to connect with the Heron Island launch service. The launch departs Gladstone Marina at 11.00am and returns at 3.45pm. There are no launch transfers on Christmas day. The launch trip from Gladstone to Heron Island takes approximately 2 hours each way.

Access to Wilson Island -
Wilson Island is a 45 minute boat ride from Heron Island. Transfer times between Heron and Wilson Islands at the commencement (Friday) and completion (Monday) of your Wilson Island Experience are subject to tide and weather conditions, and may vary accordingly.

In rare instances of extreme weather conditions, access to Wilson Island may be restricted and as a result of this, P&O Australian Resorts reserves the right to suspend or postpone the Wilson Island Experience due to safety considerations. In these circumstances, alternate accommodation, activities and dining options will be arranged on Heron Island.

Package inclusions:

• 2 nights Reef Suite accommodation on Heron Island. (Thursday night and the following Monday night).
• All meals daily on Heron Island.
• Return boat transfers from Heron and Wilson Islands.
• 3 nights accommodation on Wilson Island.
• All meals daily on Wilson Island with selected premium Australian wines, beer and soft drinks.
• All Wilson Island activities and many Heron Island activities.

Notes:

Wilson Island does not cater for Triple Share or Children under 16 years.

The Wilson Island Experience commences on Thursdays only and will not be available in February when National Parks closes Wilson Island for the seabird nesting season.

Additional nights on Heron Island can be booked pre and post Wilson Island.

Transfers via launch or helicopter from Gladstone to Heron Island and return are at an additional cost.

Booking code WIRA must be quoted at time of booking to ensure reservation is confirmed at the package rate.

Package starts and ends at Heron Island. Unless otherwise stated, no meals or drinks are included in this package.

All bookings are subject to availability.

Wilson Island