Heron Island Resort

Located off the coast of Queensland, in the heart of the Southern Barrier Reef, Heron Island is home to an extraordinary variety of marine life and native wildlife — ranging from rays and hordes of multi-coloured tropical fish to charming turtles and resident birds. Here, experience nature at its best and embrace the genuine magic of the world’s largest coral reef.

The island boasts an information centre, dive boats and marine biologists who can guide you through the unique coral reef and point out the native birds, plants and turtles that call Heron Island home. Here, nothing comes between you and nature.

What You’ll Love…

The Resort – Located directly on the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Natural historian and wildlife filmmaker Sir David Attenborough once revealed that the Great Barrier Reef is one of his favourite places on earth — and at the southernmost tip of this natural paradise lies Heron Island.

As one of the only resorts situated directly on the reef, Heron Island Resort serves as an idyllic sun-kissed nature retreat that showcases sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and an endless garden of coral. An advanced eco-certified resort built to minimise impact and maximise an understanding of its unique natural environment, Heron Island Resort is also one of the few places in the world where you can witness nature’s most incredible show: vulnerable sea turtle species nesting and hatching (check for hatching season before booking your trip).

Among the music of clownfish and tracks of dolphins, the feeling that you’re a guest of nature itself is inescapable at Heron Island Resort.

Remember to make sure you pack the latest bestseller because there is limited Wi-Fi and no mobile reception on the island. Instead, you can look forward to reconnecting with the kids, friends or your special someone while enjoying nature at its absolute best.

The Room – Walk from your room to the beach and literally dive in

Set among Heron Island’s ancient Pisonia Forest, unplug and connect to nature with a stay in the comfortable and compact Turtle Room. The room features a queen-size bed, en suite bathroom with shower, tea and coffee-making facilities, a cosy indoor seating area and a furnished private timber deck that looks out across the garden and is just a short stroll from the beach. As part of the eco ethos, there’s no air conditioning, just ceiling fans in most of the resort’s rooms.

VIP Upgrade: Get even closer to the beach when you upgrade to a Reef Room, just steps from the crystal-clear waters of the Coral Sea. Inside you’ll find a queen-size bed, plus a comfy day bed and a private balcony or deck located close to the beach, with partial reef and water views through a canopy of trees.

Family Upgrade: Travelling with kids? Upgrade to a Turtle Family Room. Located just a short walk from the beach and close to the resort’s facilities, the room features a queen and two single beds, a modern bathroom and a spacious timber deck and outdoor area. Travel with ease, as up to two children aged 12 years and under stay free (see ‘Fine Print’ for details).

VIP Family Upgrade: Treat the family to the ultimate island escape when you upgrade to a Reef Family Room, just steps from the beach. This spacious room boasts a modern bathroom and water views through a canopy of beachside trees. Up to two children aged 12 years and under stay free (see ‘Fine Print’ for details).

Beachside Upgrade: Make your couple’s escape extra special by upgrading to the Beachside Room, offering access to the resort’s beachfront and Great Barrier Reef. Your accommodation comes complete with a large balcony or private terrace.

Upgrade Bonus: On select extended stay and upgrade packages, receive a bonus complimentary sunset cruise, during which you’ll glide through the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or a delicious bonus lunch experience for two adults.

The Food – Where the ambience is as inspiring as the cuisine

Fuel up for a fun day exploring with daily buffet breakfast served at the resort’s in-house Shearwater Restaurant, where you can tuck into tempting options in a tropical setting.

On two evenings, you will also be treated to a delicious dinner at Shearwater Restaurant: choose two courses from the extensive à la carte menu or indulge in sumptuous buffet spreads featuring meat and Mediterranean fare on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (seafood platter available for a surcharge, bookable in advance).

Surprise a loved one with a romantic picnic experience with a complimentary gourmet picnic hamper and bottle of wine for you to enjoy anywhere on the island. Plus, you’ll love unwinding each evening at Baillie’s Bar with a complimentary drink per person (your choice of beer, wine or sparkling).

See & Do – Discover the island with an I.Spy Semi-Submersible experience, a variety of complimentary resort activities & A$100 spa credit per room

At approximately 350,000 sqkm, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the ocean’s most spectacular playground. And what better starting point for your underwater adventures than Heron Island Resort?

Enjoy a 20% discount on a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience, so you can learn how to dive in the most beautiful waters in the world, or snorkel the crystal clear waters of the Coral Sea in search of turtles and colourful fish with complimentary snorkelling gear hire.

Savour an incredible I.Spy Semi-Submersible experience (weather dependent), so you can explore beneath the waves and see the vibrant marine life in their natural habitat, or relax with spa treatments using your A$100 spa credit per room at the blissful onsite Aqua Soul Spa.

Want to learn more about turtles? Take a complimentary early morning or late evening stroll around the beaches with an experienced Naturalist Guide, who will provide you with information about observing turtles, nesting season and the biology of these incredible creatures (seasonal dependent).