Discover How to Get to Heron Island

At 34 metres, The Heron Islander is specifically designed to provide a comfortable and spacious transfer from the Queensland mainland to Heron Island. She comfortably seats 170 and has a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h). With the exception of Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Heron Islander makes one return trip per day between Heron Island and Gladstone, per the schedules below.

Gladstone to Heron Island

We recommend a flight arrival into Gladstone no later than 1½ hours prior to our sailing times. Please note, Aldesta Hotels does not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes.

Check-in
Check-in at the Heron Island Departure Desk at the Gladstone Marina opens at 7.45am and closes promptly at 9.00am. Please ensure you are checked-in and have your boarding pass prior to the check-in closure time. Guests not checked-in by the closure time may be denied boarding. 

Arrival in Gladstone by Air
Due to reduced flight schedules the airport shuttle bus is currently not operating. Guests will be required to make their own way between the Gladstone airport and marina for their ferry transfers. 

Arrival in Gladstone by Car
If you’re making your own way to the Gladstone Marina, you’ll find it at Bryan Jordan Drive, Gladstone. Check-in at the marina opens at 7:45 am.

We strongly recommend you pre-book secure car lock-up facilities by calling Compleat Angler on 07 4972 7283, available for $12 AUD per day for a covered car park, or $10 AUD per day for an uncovered spot.

Should you have any questions pertaining to your transfer to Heron Island, please call the Heron Island Marina Office on (07) 4972 5166.
 

Heron Island to Gladstone

It is recommended that domestic flights departing Gladstone Airport are booked no earlier than 4.45pm. Please note, Aldesta Hotels does not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes. 

Rates

• $75 AUD each way per adult 
• $38 AUD each way per child (3 – 12 yrs)

Luggage Requirements
Onboard bags
- Guests are permitted to bring a small carry-on bag onto the boat. As checked baggage will not be available until guests check into their room at 3.00pm, it is recommended that guests carry with them any personal affects they may need prior to room check-in; e.g. medication, swimmers, sunscreen, hat, etc.
- Max. baggage weight 10kg and no more than 1 bag per person.
- There is minimal space available onboard the vessel and guests will need ot keep their carry-on bag with them at their seat throughout the 2hour journey.
Checked luggage
- Each adult, child and infant are permitted 1 x 23kg bag per person, to be checked in prior to boarding.
- All checked bags must be sealed, with all items secured inside. Checked luggage is transported in containers that are hoisted by crane on and off the boat. Bags may be jostled during transit and if not sealed well, loose items may be misplaced.
- Additional bags or oversized luggage exceeding 23kg, will be charged at a cost of $20 per item.
- Guests who are diving at Heron Island are permitted to bring a reasonable amount of dive equipment in addition to their checked luggage.
Prohibited items
- Guests are not permitted to bring food or alcohol to Heron Island. Any food or alcohol being carried on to the Heron Islander will be confiscated and returned to guests upon their return to Gladstone.
- Eskies are not permitted. Guests may bring a cooler bag to store medicine or infant formula, etc., however these bags will be inspected at check-in at the Marina. Any cooler bags our team are not permitted to inspect will not be allowed onboard the Heron Islander.
These measures are in place for the health and safety of guests and staff members. As Heron Island Resort and the Heron Islander are both licensed venues, outside alcohol cannot be brough onto the premises.
 

Please note: Should the Heron Islander be unavailable on any particular day, we reserve the right to operate the transfer on an alternate vessel. As transfers are weather and marine conditions dependent, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday. The Heron Islander will not operate on Christmas Day.

While we always do our best to make your trip to Heron Island as comfortable as possible, some guest's may experience seasickness. We highly recommend passengers take motion sickness precautions prior to boarding the Heron Islander.

For further information or to book your boat transfers, please contact us on 1800 875 343 (within Australia), U.S. and Canada based number 1 855 251 8261, outside Australia +61 1800 875 343 or email heronisland@aldestareservations.com.

Rates in effect to March 31, 2023. Heron Island reserves the right to discontinue or alter services and rates without notice

Marine Helicopter Charter operates scenic helicopter transfers daily, subject to weather constraints. You’ll enjoy expert commentary by their experienced pilots, as your flight from Gladstone passes Facing Is. and Curtis Is., and then about 40 km of the Coral Sea before reaching Polmaise Reef, where you may see turtles, rays, and sharks. You’ll pass Masthead Is., Erskine Is. and the wonder that is Wistari Reef, before arriving at Heron Island.

Check In & Luggage

Marine Helicopter Charter’s service desk and passenger lounge is located next to the baggage carousel in the Gladstone Airport arrivals area. Light snacks and free Wi-Fi are available. Please allow 60 minutes prior to departure for check-in procedures.

Please Note: Helicopters have a total weight limit that is inclusive of both baggage and guest weight. Due to safety regulations and seat limitations, there is a maximum individual guest weight of 135kg. Guests will be asked to provide their weight during the booking process. It is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirement that passengers on helicopter flights are weighed at checkin before each flight.

A baggage allowance of up to 15kg per person applies, including carryon and checked baggage. Please note this amount may be reduced depending on total weight restriction. Smaller, soft-sided bags are required, as they’re more easily accommodated in the helicopter’s restricted cargo hold. There are no exceptions to this rule as it is mandated by the Australian civil aviation authority. Extra and excess baggage can be either: 1) transferred to Heron Island aboard the Heron Islander from the Gladstone Marina, subject to its sailing schedule or 2) Marine Helicopter Charter can provide complimentary, secure storage at the airport.

Keep in mind, any baggage returning on the Heron Islander is subject to its sailing schedule, and must be programmed accordingly to ensure its arrival for your outgoing flight from Gladstone.

Rates

Adult One-way $560

Child (3-12 yrs) One-way $280 

Adult Return $940 

Child (3-12 yrs) Return $470 

Please note: Helicopter reservations cancelled within 48 hrs prior to date of departure will incur a $50 cancellation fee per passenger, per flight. No cancellation fee applies if the reservation is rescheduled for a later date. As transfers are weather and marine conditions dependent, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday.

For further information or to book your helicopter transfers, please contact us on 1800 875 343 (within Australia), U.S. and Canada based number 1 855 251 8261, outside Australia +61 1800 875 343 or email heronisland@aldestareservations.com.

Heron Island and Marine Helicopter Charter reserve the right to discontinue or alter services and rates without notice.