Easter on Beautiful Heron Island

In April I went with a couple of friends to Heron Island for a one week holiday. We went during Easter so it meant just a couple of days off work! Heron Island is situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, in Queensland. The closest mainland town is Gladstone. The island itself is tiny, and you can walk around it in about 30 minutes. It’s well known because of the nature and wildlife found on the island and the reefs surrounding it. Perhaps mostly for the turtles which arrive during I think January – May to lay their eggs, and then after this for the just born hatchlings to make their way into the sea and to start their lives. The journey for these hatchlings is harrowing to say the least. Seagulls watch their every move as they head down the beach to the ocean and once in the sea reef sharks are waiting. The figure of 1 in every 1,000 baby turtles surviving sounds incredible, but honestly when you see what they have to do just to get into the sea, it’s quite understandable.

The holiday was wonderful. It was so relaxing, and just really nice to be able to do nothing, go snorkelling or read on the beach. There is one resort on the island, and the staff and amenities are all great. Definitely the most memorable thing though is the nature and wildlife. I in particular loved the snorkelling where we saw turtles, of course the most magnificently coloured fish, reef sharks, rays and the beautiful coral of the reef. I’d go back anytime!

The website for the island is found here: http://www.heronisland.com/

Here are some pictures…