Heron Island Holiday Packages

Explore Heron Island holiday packages
 

What are the top tips for travelling with children to Heron Island?

Visit the University of Queensland Heron Island Research Station

Take the kids to the Heron Island Research Station to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and its unique ecosystem. As the largest island-based research station in the Southern Hemisphere, the station has an abundance of information to absorb. People visiting on Heron Island accommodation and flight packages can head to the research station for a tour, which operate several days a week. Station staff will talk you through the research they do related to the coral and marine biology of the Great Barrier Reef. Kids visiting with their parents on Heron Island packages will also be excited to get hands-on at a touch tank featuring creatures found in the reef.

Go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef

Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities to enjoy when you book Heron Island packages. Join a guided snorkelling tour to see some of the best spots on Heron Reef and the neighbouring Wistari Reef. You could also see a kaleidoscopic array of coral and tropical fish by snorkelling from the island’s beaches, such as Shark Bay and the Gantry. It is important to note that snorkelling isn’t allowed in the marina between 8am and 5:30pm, as this is when boats come and go. Snorkels, masks, and fins are provided by the resort for free to anyone visiting on Heron Island holiday packages.

Join a guided tour of the island

Travellers who book hotel and accommodation on Heron Island can make the most of several complimentary guided walks operated by Heron Island Resort. The Reef Walk takes place during low tide and educates visitors holidaying on Heron Island packages about how the reef was formed and the different animals of the Great Barrier Reef. The Island Walk takes visitors through the rainforest and Shark Bay while a guide provides information on the local landscapes, flora, and fauna. There’s also an impressive bird population to see when you book Heron Island holiday packages. To get a look at some birds and learn more about them, take the complimentary Bird Watching Walk.
 

When is the best time to visit Heron Island?

Heron Island is located near the Tropic of Capricorn with pleasant weather year-round. Summer experiences the hottest and most humid weather with daytime temperatures reaching about 30°C. This humidity means you may also experience some rain if you book hotel and accommodation on Heron Island in the summer. The summer holiday period is the busiest time to book Heron Island packages. It’s a popular spot for families, particularly between the Christmas and New Year holiday period. 

Rain continues into the autumn months, but temperatures cool down and humidity subsides. Autumn temperatures average about 27°C. Once winter hits, daytime temperatures cool to about 22°C during the day, with evening temperatures dropping to about 17°C. Winter is a popular time to book Heron Island accommodation and flight packages as travellers wish to escape the colder weather in Australia’s southern states. Temperatures start to pick back up in September, with spring weather averaging about 26°C during the day.

For an unforgettable experience, consider booking hotel and accommodation on Heron Island for the whale migration or turtle hatching seasons. Between June and September each year, humpback whales can be seen offshore as they make their annual migration. If you book Heron Island holiday packages for travel between January and May, you may spot some baby sea turtles hatching on the beach and making their way to sea.
 

What should I pack for Heron Island?

No matter what time of year you book Heron Island holiday packages, bring along some swimwear and warm weather clothes. Warm daytime temperatures mean snorkelling, swimming and lounging on the beach are activities that can be enjoyed year-round. There are beautiful walks around Heron Island, so bring along a pair of comfortable hiking shoes as well. Prepare for the cool evening temperatures by packing some jeans and a jacket if you book Heron Island accommodation and flight packages for travel between June and August. 

For the most part, Heron Island has a casual atmosphere. During the day, shorts, t-shirts, and sandals are perfect attire. However, it’s a good idea to pack a couple of nice outfits that you could wear to dinner or on the Heron Island sunset cruise.

If you’ll be spending time in the water while holidaying on Heron Island packages, pack some waterproof reef-safe sunscreen. This will prevent the sunscreen from washing off while you swim or snorkel, and it doesn’t contain any chemicals that could damage the pristine coral around Heron Island.

Finally, an underwater camera or waterproof phone case will help preserve the memories you make while visiting the Great Barrier Reef on Heron Island holiday packages. Take the camera or your smartphone snorkelling to snap photos of the coral and marine animals that you see.