HERON ISLAND - GREAT BARRIER REEF
Being right on Australia's Great Barrier Reef has always given Heron
the advantage over other resorts. Most are Continental Shelf Island
are made of rock and stone in some cases up to 70 kilometres form
the reef they promise. Heron is made of coral, and this makes it
the first choice for tourist, nature lovers, researchers and divers
from around the world. On Heron you walk straight from the beach
to the reef edge and the waters are literally teeming with sealife.
It's what you don't see around Heron that makes
the resort so special. You won't see any buildings above the tree
line. And in this national park you won't bump into any day trippers
either. The reef experience on Heron is exclusively for guests,
a unique experience few other resorts in the world can offer. There's
a relaxed island lifestyle that sets Heron apart, a sophisicated
yet casual resort atmosphere. Here the emphasis is on exploring
and discovering the natural attractions that have made Heron famous
around the world.
You'll enjoy some of the world's best reef diving.
There's a choice of spectacular sites just minutes from the beach,
and can you imagine a better place to learn to dive? Join a guided
reef walk to learn more about the unique ecology of the Great Barrier
Reef or snorkel off the beach and come face to face with the kaleidoscope
of marine life just below the surface. Enjoy a day trip to explore
an idyllic, uninhabited coral cay or spend the day just lazing by
the pool. The choice is yours. At night there's live entertainment,
dancing or a quiet drink at the Pandanus Lounge. On Heron, all meals
are included in your tariff and you'll find a range of accommodation
to suit your budget. As you would expect, Heron takes great pride
in maintaining the higher standards of food and service.
Heron Island runs on Daylight Saving time
all year, which is one hour ahead of Queensland mainland time.
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CHECK IN PROCEDURES
For guest arriving by launch, check in is completed at the
Marina in Gladstone.
Keys are not issued to any of the guest rooms. Small items
of value, such as wallets, passports and other travel documents,
credit cards and cash may be taken to reception, and secured
in the safety deposit facility for the duration of your stay.
The launch will wait for all arrivals off QF2308 at 0955am.
If driving you need to check in no later than 1000am as
the launch departs as soon as the Qantas people arrive.
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GETTING
THERE
Air Connections
Regular flights are available from all Australian capital
cities to Gladstone with Qantas. Gladstone is a 1 hour and
20 minute flight from Brisbane (or a 6 hour drive from Brisbane).
Australian residents can check with Holiday Magic for the
best available airfares.
Rail
Queensland Rail offers a Tilt Train service which operates
six times a week between Brisbane and Gladstone. Guests
arriving from Cairns can travel on the Tilt Train and the
Sunlander from Cairns to Gladstone. Guests may be required
to stay overnight in Gladstone before being transferred
to Heron Island.
Boat Transfer
Arrival: The boat transfer service departs Gladstone Marina
at 11.00 am daily, final check-in time is 10.30 am if not
arriving off a flight at the airport. The courtesy transfer
to the Marina leaves the airport daily at 10.15 am, after
the arrival of the early morning flights into Gladstone.
The coach arrives at the Marina 10-15 minutes later.
The boat transfer arrives at Heron island at approximately
2.00 pm Heron Island time. Buffet lunch is served upon arrival
at Heron Island.
Departure: The boat transfer departs Heron Island at approximately
2.00 pm Island time or 1.00 pm EST. Arrival time into Gladstone
is approximately 3.45 pm EST and a courtesy transfer is
available for immediate transfer to the airport.
Flights arriving into Gladstone to meet the boat transfer,
must arrive no later than 10.00 am. Flights departing Gladstone
must depart no earlier than 5.00 pm. Bookings can be made
through Holiday Magic. To fully confirm boat transfers,
arrival and departure details for Gladstone must be advised.
Please
Note: This service does not operate on Christmas Day.
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 Helicopter
Heron Island is just a half hour helicopter ride from Gladstone.
Australian Helicopters depart Gladstone Airport daily on
demand during daylight hours (generally 0800 - 1800). The
flight takes 30 minutes. Bookings can be made through Holiday
Magic. It is essential that Australian Helicopters are advised
of exactly how guests are arriving and departing Gladstone
(eg flying, driving, train or staying overnight). If arriving
by air, flight numbers must be provided as transfers cannot
be confirmed until this information is provided. All guests
must confirm directly with Australian Helicopters their
flight transfers prior to arrival in Gladstone either via
phone on +61 7 4978 1177 or email gla@austheli.com or alternatively
call the resort directly on +61 7 4972 9055. Baggage Allowance:
Passengers on Australian Helicopter transfers to Heron island
are restricted to one suitcase (maximum weight - 15kg).
Excess Luggage storage available at the airport free of
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Every
effort is made to ensure that information, including prices, shown
on this page is correct. All information is received by us from
other sources and we endeavour to check all detail when received.
However, we take no responsibility for the information received
or for any mistake or omission made by Holiday Magic staff in the
up-load of information. |
