Heron Island: A coral island in the Great Barrier Reef

Heron Island is a natural coral island near the Tropic of Capricorn and is part of the Capricorn Bunker Group in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The reef, island forest and diverse marine fauna shape the natural experiences here: you can explore the island on foot, learn more about the reef on guided activities or experience the waters around Heron Island. Above the high-water mark, the island is designated as a Queensland national park.

Island nature, birds and reef

Heron Island is part of an internationally recognised Important Bird Area. The Bird Walk introduces more than 130 bird species that have been observed on the island. Around 100,000 birds also use Heron Island during the warmer months. The walk therefore focuses both on species diversity and on the island’s seasonal importance for birds.

The reef also has different protection and use zones: the reef and the waters immediately surrounding Heron Island are designated as marine national park and scientific research zones. Non-extractive activities such as boating and diving are permitted there. There are 20 dive sites in the waters around the island; Jacques Cousteau named Heron Bommie as one of his ten favourite dive sites. Heron Island also offers PADI-certified diving courses for a range of experience levels, from beginners to experienced divers.

On foot, on the water and beneath the stars

The Island Walk covers one kilometre with a nature guide through Pisonia Forest to Shark Bay. Those especially interested in nesting sea turtles can choose the early-morning or late-evening Turtle Walk: a guided beach walk to observe the animals. During the Coral Discovery Program, participants use the Coral-Watch chart to assess the health of corals on the reef flat.

Other activities explore the surroundings in different ways. On the I-Spy semi-submarine tour around Heron Island, you can observe turtles, sharks and rays, while a nature guide explains coral reef ecology. Guided kayak tours cover about 2.5 kilometres and pass over coral habitats where sharks and rays can be found. Snorkelling tours visit Heron Reef and Wistari Reef, with a focus on fish and corals. A Sunset Cruise travels through the waters around the island, offering views of the sunset over the Great Barrier Reef.

There are guided experiences on land, too: the Interactive Reef Tour visits the University of Queensland Research Station and includes encounters at the touch tank, as well as information about coral restoration and reef ecosystems. Research Station tours cover current studies and experiments in and around Heron Reef; they are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. The Heron Island Research Station runs customised research-based excursions for senior secondary school students. Only students aged 16 and over may take part. During the Stargazing activity, nature guides use a laser pointer to show planets and constellations.

Getting there and staying overnight

Heron Island can be reached by catamaran or helicopter. One restriction is important when planning accommodation: overnight stays on the island are available only to guests of the resort or the Research Station. If you plan to stay overnight on Heron Island, bear this limited guest access in mind when looking for accommodation.

Tides are also a factor in planning your day: the reef platforms can be quickly inundated by a rising tide. Tide and weather forecasts are therefore important for activities out in the field. Conditions around the reef determine when activities on the platforms can be sensibly scheduled, so plan according to the latest forecasts.

Sea Country and island history

Heron Island is located in Sea Country, which holds spiritual significance for the Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Bailai and Taribelang Bunda peoples. The island’s history also includes a short-lived turtle soup cannery from the 1920s. In the early 1930s, Captain Christian Poulsen converted its buildings into a holiday resort. This history adds a specific aspect of the island’s former use to the picture of its natural environment today.

Find more destinations here: Kuranda, Petrie, Port Douglas, Injune, Meadowbrook, Boonah, Dunk and Toogoom.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.