Upcoming Events in Redland

Among the music of seabirds, tracks of turtles and multi-coloured clouds of fish, the feeling that you're a guest of nature itself is inescapable at Heron Island. Reef walking, viewing underwater life from semi-submersible, watching the sun set over the ocean - you become part of a community caught up in the timeless evolution of the world's largest living thing - the Great Barrier Reef. Like much of the Southern Great Barrier Reef it is a coral cay with clear, aquamarine ocean meeting a horizon of blue skies and you will be able to soak in gorgeous sunrises and sunsets during your stay. Instead of the famous five you can tick off nature's famous eight here - turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, gropers, clown fish, Maori Wrasse, Humpback Whales (June to October) and dolphins. If you look to the skies instead of the sea for the bird life there is a diverse list of species permanently calling the island home with some special guests who migrate and breed annually including the Black Noddy, Bridled Tern and Wedge-tailed Shearwater. If you are lucky enough to be visiting during turtle season (November to March) you may see the distinctive tracks leading to a mumma turtle laying her clutches of eggs or the manic eruption of a nest with babies taking their first swim in the big blue yonder. This is a scuba divers paradise with 20 sites easily accessible from Heron Island including the famous Heron Bommie and you can snorkel right off your doorstep in this piece of island paradise. Heron Island is easily accessible via ferry transfer departing from Gladstone Marina or if you want to tick a scenic flight surveying this special part of the Great Barrier Reef off your bucket list, you can catch a seaplane or helicopter from the airport to kick off your stay. You might stay three days or a week or maybe more, but this Southern Great Barrier Reef destination with its amazing eco-system will leave a special imprint on your soul for years to come.