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.

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 the 4.45pm. Please note, Aldesta Hotels does not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes. 

Guests departing from Gladstone Airport can book a transfer from the marina (bus or taxi) when they make their reservation or at the hotel reception. The bus transfer service will depart the Gladstone Marina at 3:45 pm (dependent on the boat arrival being on time) and will be available daily. 
 

Rates

• $75 AUD each way per adult incl. airport transfer
• $38 AUD each way per child (3 – 12 yrs), incl. airport transfer

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, Friday 25 December 2020.

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, 2021. Heron Island reserves the right to discontinue or alter services and rates without notice

Begin your holiday by catching a scenic seaplane flight between Gladstone and Heron Island and experience a unique perspective of the Great Barrier Reef. Watch tropical islands from above, spot whales, sharks or turtles lurking below and view amazing turquoise reef formations before landing on beautiful Heron Island – all in just 25 minutes. Land on the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef and walk the last meters through the tropical shallow water (up to knee height) to the shore of Heron Island.

Schedule

Australia by Seaplane, operates the scenic transfers daily (except Christmas, Boxing, and New Year’s Days) subject to availability and tides times. DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THE SEAPLANE IS CURRENTLY NOT OPERATING.

Check In

Arriving into Gladstone, please make your way to the Australia by Seaplane Office, close to the main Gladstone Airport Terminal. After collecting your luggage at the baggage carousel, please exit the main Airport Terminal and turn right, and you will find the Australia by Seaplane Office 100 metres from the Gladstone Airport (look for the cream building with the ‘Australia by Seaplane’ sign). Please allow 75 minutes prior to arrival and departure to allow for check-in procedures. A minimum of 2 or 4 passengers per flight are required to operate, dependent on aircraft availability, please inquire for further information.

All seaplane flights are subject to payload restrictions and body weights must be advised at the time of booking.

Seaplanes have a total weight limit including both baggage and guest weight. A baggage allowance of up to 15kg per person applies for seaplane transfers, however this amount maybe reduced depending on total weight restrictions. Soft suitcases or bags are preferred. The luggage amount permitted will be confirmed at time of booking. Secure luggage storage facilities are available and complimentary with Australia by Seaplane.

Click for a map to the Australia by Seaplane office.

Rates

TBA

Please note: Seaplanes do not operate on Christmas Day, December 26th, or New Year’s Day. Seaplane reservations cancelled 48 to 24 hrs prior to date of departure will incur a 25% cancellation fee per passenger, per flight, and cancellations within 24 hrs, a 50% cancellation fee per passenger. 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 seaplane 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, 2020.  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. 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 $530 AUD

Child (3-12 yrs) One Way $265 AUD

Adult Return $898 AUD 

Child (3-12 yrs) Return $449 AUD

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.

Rates in effect to March 31, 2020. Heron Island reserves the right to discontinue or alter services and rates without notice.