HERON ISLAND
Area: Queensland
Country: Australia


Location:
Off S coast of Queensland, at S end of Great Barrier Reef. Just S of Tropic of Capricorn. 340 mls N of Brisbane international airport. 45 mls NE of Gladstone national airport and harbour on mainland.

Telephone code from UK:
61 7

Website:
http://www.heronisland.com

Position:
Part of Capricorn group of islands. Completely surrounded by its own coral reef and opposite neighbouring Wistari Reef.

Description:
Heron Island is most people's idea of a true Great Barrier Reef coral cay: a flat sand island surrounded by reef. But it is in fact unique, as all other resort islands are continental, covered in tropical forest and at a distance from the reef itself (some up to 2 hrs). Heron is a tiny oval, just over » ml long, reaching only 10 ft above sea level. Just behind the beach grow she oaks and pandanus trees, but most of the island is a forest of handsome, shady, broad-leaved pisonia trees. It teems with birdlife, including reef heron (after which it is named), black noddy terns, grouse-like rails, gulls and the clumsy mutton birds which nest in burrows in the ground because they are such lousy aviators! Part of the island is national park and the surrounding reef is a marine national park; it is also the site of Queensland University's marine geology research station. Adding to the wildlife attractions are turtles and humpback whales, and there's the rusting hulk of a ship in the harbour entrance to complete the Robinson Crusoe image. No day visitors are allowed and (curiously) the island operates its own daylight-saving system, making it 1 hr ahead of Queensland's Eastern Standard Time.

Suitability:
Scuba divers will love it if they can afford it. Bird spotters too _ there are birds everywhere, including in the restaurant, so it's not for people afraid of our feathered friends. International clientele is mainly middle to upmarket.

Accommodation:
Only 1 hotel, owned and run by P&O, with a reputation equalling their cruise products. Accommodation, in descending order of luxury, space, position and price, comprises: a single "Beach House"; cluster of 4 single-storey "Point" bungalow rooms, officially rated 3-star; 22 2-storey "Heron" rooms, also rated 3-star; 50 2-storey "Reef" rooms, rated 2» stars; and 32 mainly detached, single-storey "Turtle Cabins" with shared bathroom and toilet facilities, officially rated 2-star. Official categories may seem low because none has air conditioning, telephone or TV. However, all are spacious and attractively decorated beyond their category. Note that although hotel and operators' brochures may use the term "suites", rooms do not have separate sitting room.

Shopping:
One shop in hotel selling branded goods, T-shirts, beachwear and usual holiday necessities.

Beach:
Theoretically a coral cay should be completely surrounded by beach, but much of the shore in front of accommodation is quite rocky, especially at low tide. However, there is more than enough beach to go round, made of near pure-white coral sand. Best area is at Shark Bay on SE corner. Water is crystal clear, shallow and warm. Jellyfish are rare so far S, and moray eels and a grouper are almost tame. Gummy sharks are allegedly toothless and harmless.

Entertainments:
Daytime: unlimited scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities. Guided walks to see: reef close up, island ecology, birds, turtles nesting, humpback whales (June_Sept), stars. Wildlife presentations. Fishing. Semisubmersible coral-viewing cruises, barbecue cruises to Wilson Island, sunset wine-and-cheese cruise. Nightlife: low-key entertainment, live music, casino night, quiz night.

Eating:
Eating in (rates include all meals). Dinner is table d'hote except for weekly seafood buffet. A la carte snack meals available from coffee-shop section of bar.

Public-transport:
Nothing on island. Access is by catamaran from Gladstone harbour (often quite a rough 2-hr journey) or Marine Helicopters, operating from Gladstone airport and doing journey much more scenically, in 30 mins and without risk of seasickness.

Local-excursions:
See "Entertainments".