Getting there.

Heron Island, located approximately 80 kilometres off the eastern coast of Australia, is a natural coral cay surrounded by hectares of coral reef at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The two-hour boat trip leaves from the coastal town of Gladstone, Queensland. Regular flights to Gladstone are via Brisbane with either Qantas or Virgin Australia.

Given the remote and unique location of Heron Island, we and Heron Island Resort strongly recommend all 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 (eg cyclone), COVID, or other unexpected events.

 

COVID UPDATE for the Heron Island Transfers: “Guests presenting with flu like symptoms may be denied boarding and asked to postpone their holiday. Additional hand sanitising stations will be accessible for guests and staff as well as common areas frequently cleaned and sanitised. The Heron Islander is cleaned several times per day including before, after and during each voyage. Additional changes may be implemented without notice”.

Transfers from Gladstone to Heron Island by the Heron Islander (approx. 2 hours)

At 34 metres long, the Heron Islander comfortably seats 170 guests and has a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/hr). With the exception of Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Heron Islander makes one return trip per day departing at 9:30am EST.

A flight arrival time into Gladstone is recommended no later than 1.5 hours prior to sailing times. Please note, Heron Island Resort/Aldesta Hotels/ThymOz does not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes.  Many ThymOz delegates choose to overnight in Gladstone prior to the Wed 22nd 2023 boat departure. There are many hotels in Gladstone to choose from.

Check-in

Check-in at the Heron Island Ferry Terminal which 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. 

Transfers from Heron Island to Gladstone

It is recommended that domestic flights departing Gladstone Airport are booked no earlier than 4:45pm. Please note Aldesta Hotels/Heron Island Resort/ThymOz do not accept responsibility for flight delays or flight schedule changes.

Heron Islander Rates:

$85 each way per adult, which is included in the Conference Package.

Children (3-12 yrs) will cost $45 each way. 

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 rooms at 3:00 pm, it is recommended that guests carry with them any personal items they may need prior to room check-in, such as medication, bathing suits, sunscreen, hat, etc.

Maximum baggage weight 10kg and no more than 1 bag per person.

There is minimal space available onboard the vessel and guests will need to keep their carry-on bag with them at their seat throughout the 2hour journey.

CHECKED LUGGAGE:

Each adult/child 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

Heron Island Resort and the Heron Islander are both licensed venues. Therefore, guests are not permitted to bring alcohol to Heron Island. Eskies are not permitted; guests may bring cooler bags to store medicine or infant formula.

While all efforts to make the trip to Heron Island as comfortable as possible, some guests may experience sea sickness. We highly recommend taking motion sickness precautions prior to boarding the Heron Islander.

For further information, please email ann.chidgey@monash.edu

Helicopter Transfers

Marine Helicopter Charter operates scenic helicopter transfers daily, subject to weather constraints.

  • Adult one-way costs $585

  • Adult return costs $985

Maximum luggage is 15kg per person including hand luggage. Excess luggage can be transferred by boat. Gladstone flight arrival/departure times and individual body weights need to be advised at the time of booking. 

To book Helicopter transfers, phone Gary at Marine Helicopter Charter on +61-7-4978 0129 or email: operations@marinehelicopters.com

NOTE: Please inform Ann Chidgey (ann.chidgey@monash.edu) if you are taking the helicopter so we can remove you from the Heron Islander manifest.