Discover How to Get to Heron Island

Heron Island Location and Access

Set 72kms off the coast of Queensland, Australia, Heron Island boasts accommodation in a stunning location: a natural coral cay surrounded by 24 hectares of coral reef at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Heron Island is famous around the world for its’ spectacular coral reef, extraordinary variety of aquatic life, nesting turtles, migrating whales and as a breeding sanctuary for an abundance of bird life. At Heron Island you are very much a guest of the natural environment.

Aerial view of Heron Island Resort with cruise ship on the way

Travel to Heron Island

Getting to Heron Island and the Great Barrier Reef takes just a little bit of planning, but it’s well worth the effort. The nearest urban centre and commercial airport is located 72kms from Heron Island in Gladstone. Regular flights to Gladstone are available via Brisbane with either Qantas or Virgin Australia.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Gladstone Region - where the iconic Queensland beaches merge with ancient reefs and pristine national parks. The perfect blend of coastal charm, untamed wilderness, and genuine Australian hospitality. Immerse yourself and discover hidden gems at every turn in the Gladstone region. For more information on what makes the Gladstone Region so special including events, experiences and accommodation click here.

For an online map of Gladstone click here.

We Highly Recommend Travel Insurance

Our remote and unique location makes for the perfect holiday destination, HOWEVER, it’s important to note that travelling to paradise comes with risks that are out of our control, and yours. For this reason, we highly recommend that all of our guests purchase travel insurance prior to travelling. Please take the time to review your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered in the unlikely event that your travel plans are disrupted due to weather or acts of god.

Aerial view of Heron Island Resort in Queensland, Australia

A helicopter flying near the pier at Heron Island Resort

Transfers From Gladstone

Once in Gladstone, you have a choice of two transfer options to get to Heron Island itself.

Boat from $ 99 each way
Helicopter from $600 one-way on a return ticket

The Heron Islander

APPROX. 2.5 HOURS

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

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Current	09:30	No sailing	09:30	No sailing	09:30	09:30	09:30

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 Ferry Terminal 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. The Heron Island Ferry Terminal is located in the Gladstone Visitor Information building, at 72 Bryan Jordan Drive, Gladstone.

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 Heron Island Ferry Terminal, you’ll find it at the Gladstone Marina Parklands, in the Gladstone Visitor Information Centre building at 72 Bryan Jordan Drive, Gladstone. The Heron Island Ferry Terminal is located in the same building as Compleat Angler. 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 $17 AUD per day for a covered car park, or $14 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

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Current	12:45	No sailing	12:45	No sailing	12:45	12:45	12:45

It is recommended that domestic flights departing Gladstone Airport are booked no earlier than 17:30 pm. Please note, Aldesta Hotels does not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes.

Rates

$99 AUD each way per adult
$80 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 brought 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, tide 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.

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

Helicopter

APPROX. 30 MINUTES

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.

Maximum Passengers per flight: 5 Adult seats. (A sixth passenger can be added if they are the same group and the smallest two have a combined weight of less than 77kg eg: two children)

Minimum Passengers per return flight to Heron Island - 4 Adult seats

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 of 450kg. Due to safety regulations and seat limitations, there is a maximum individual guest weight of 150kg. 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 $710
Child (3-12 yrs) One-way $495
Adult Return $1,200
Child (3-12 yrs) Return $840

Please note: Helicopter reservations cancelled within 48 hrs prior to date of departure will incur a $150 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.

Heron Island Resort respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we operate, the Bailai, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Taribelang Bunda peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. And extend that respect to all First Nations peoples.