The bird smell but that’s nature

The Island is great and the accommodation is set in nature cabin style and back to nature Simple but nice

Stayed in March 2025

The most difficult aspect of the holiday is the ferry schedule. Our strongest recommendation is to return the schedule to the reverse (depart from Heron Is for Gladstone in the AM, and depart Gladstone for the Island in the PM). As the ferry departs Gladstone to Heron Island in the morning (checkin from 745am) we had to fly in the evening prior and stay in town, so a two day travel component. This was fine (hotels in town are clean and comfortable) but an added expense and meant one less day on the island. In reverse, the ferry departs Heron Island for Gladstone at about 1245pm. The timing means that we weren't able to make the 440pm flight from Gladstone to Brisbane to return home. It was too late to check in luggage. There are later flights, which means a very late arrival home. This potentially adds an addition overnight stay in Gladstone. What could have been 7 nights on the island becomes a 5 night stay. There is a helicopter transfer which would be great fun, but this is out of our budget!

We stayed (couple) for 5 nights from 14 March 2025. The staff at Heron Island were professional, friendly and accomodating. They are a pleasure to interact with, and see genuine in the willingness to provide service to the customers. I didn't get all the names of the staff that we would like to thank, but it encompassed every aspect of the stay from checkin at Gladstone (Robyn), the ferry staff, Reception (Lauren and Celia), the chef is the restaurant, the restaurant staff (Sarah, Raff and numerous others), the bar staff, the snorkelling boat (Emma, Scott and others) and the resort spa massage at Aqua Soul. The resort grounds and pool were well maintained and vigilantly kept clean. There are areas in need of repair as expected after the cyclone and age of the resort (rock walls etc). The weather was mixed, from rain to full sun, the tides allowed for beach snorkelling and watching turtle hatchlings, and the bird colony was beautiful. The room was clean, bed and pillows were comfortable, the private bathroom was a little aged but clean and good water pressure. We love that there is no wifi (unless purchased), no phone reception, no tv or clocks in the rooms. It is a real reset timeout from day-to-day life. The restaurant food was fresh and tasty. Breakfast was the standard buffet plus lovely fresh extras (fruit and sweets) and yummy coffee. The dinner menu was limited as expected for the resort size and location but had everything to accomodate our tastes, and the chef did a very good job with the meals. We were very happy. It is on the expensive side, and they have a captive audience with no other options, but the quality and service were great. Thank you to the team for a very relaxing break.

Stayed in March 2025

The staff are amazing. The snorkeling and diving are great.

Stayed in March 2025

Nothing

The casual feel. The beauty of the island and the wildlife

Stayed in March 2025

Only ceiling fans in rooms so very hot. Beds lumpy and old. Combined it made sleeping tricky.

The island, walks, birds, fish and turtles. Staff were all very friendly and helpful.

Stayed in March 2025

The meal selection was limited to rather posh food which wasn’t really for us. Would have liked something simpler at perhaps a cheaper price. There’s no where else to go to eat so they can charge what they like. Breakfast was great. Plenty of it and good selection. Included in the booking price.

It was great. Very clean rooms lots of space. Birds were very noisy all night. Take your ear plugs.

Stayed in February 2025

The resort could have some general maintenance on it to freshen it up

Breakfast was a standard buffet breakfast that you would get anywhere. There was enough variety. But it could be added to if wanting to improve

Stayed in January 2025

Accommodation was a little run down which is a shame, but I didn’t spend too much time indoors, so it didn’t bother me. My main focus was on experiencing the beautiful habitat that is Heron Island

I loved the island SO MUCH! It’s literal paradise. Every activity on the itinerary is awesome, snorkelling the reef a highlight only surpassed by seeing turtle hatchlings make their way to the water

Stayed in January 2025

Our room was probably the worse out of its category (facing the information roof) which made the afternoon sun beat into the room, but we still had a fabulous stay The meals were very expensive and not much choice. There was only one buffet night in our 5night stay. And they couldnt tell you the day before if it would be buffet or al la cart. Made it harder for planning. It was breeding season so there were thousands and thousands of birds (120,000) and so poop everywhere. But it was kinda a game to see if you could get to dinner without getting shat on. I hated the non nature to the island seagulls picking up the hatchlings 😞 . Did mean we got to play the hero and save the turtles were we could.

The turtles, the snorkeling. Especially around the wreck. The staff were great. The room was good. Second time here. 22years apart. Loved it

Stayed in January 2025

Needed some refreshing single bed very uncomfortable

Stayed in January 2025

The island is stunning. The facilities are pretty old and you need to be prepared to be surrounded by many many birds (and their guano), everywhere, all the time (even on yourself). But, it’s all worth it.

Stayed in January 2025

Restaurant has room for improvement

Staff enthusiasm very friendly.

Stayed in January 2025

The resort is home to hundreds of birds, which is amazing however the resort is also filled with bird poo and no effort is made to clean the pathways. The accommodation smells mouldy and is ancient. There was water damage on our bathroom door. The food is wildly overpriced and very ooor quality. We paid 28 dollars for a cheese burger and 6 potato wedges at lunch time. The restaurant has a monopoly over all food as it is the only place that serves food on the island,

The island itself is magical - the wildlife is amazing and the opportunity to see turtles, sharks and rays up close was a dream.

Stayed in January 2025

Go here for the nature, which is extraordinary

Stayed in December 2024

Part of the cabins are entirely surrounded by dozens of shearwater (mutton birds) nests (all cabins have some nests around them but some cabins are entirely surrounded to the extent it feels like the birds are in the cabin). Their noise make it literally impossible to sleep at night, even with the best earplugs. It’s a green zone so this is normal but Management really shouldn’t rent out these cabins as accommodation.

- Being immersed in a magical - other worldly environment - it really is nature’s wonderland ! - friendliness of the restaurant’s staff

Stayed in January 2025

Food quality. Outdated room.

Very close to everything. Nature is great.

Stayed in January 2025

The resort needs a bit of refurbishment. Service process and times in restaurant could be better.if it’s bird breeding season just accept you will get bombed from above.

It’s not about the property it’s about the environment. The wildlife is unbelievable. Turtles nesting and hatching. Reef sharks and rays swimming around you. Birds everywhere. Spectacular beach and water. The resort had numerous tours (additional cost) and variety of information talks and walks. Restaurants food was excellent. It was fantastic.

Stayed in January 2025

Be prepared for bird shit everywhere. There are a million birds all over, and it smells and you will probably be hit from the air as well. The food is not impressive, but still decent breakfast and dinner buffets. Not good value for money though.

Exceptional place! Amazing marine life and birds 🦅 everywhere. It feels very untouched even though there are hundreds of people there every day. Amazing snorkeling and fish spotting. We saw sharks, rays and a lot of turtles (on land and in the sea). Very well qualified crew, interesting guided walks (included) and good snorkel trips. You can also snorkel off the beach, and see everything just there. Get up early to see sunrise and turtle nesting.

Stayed in January 2025

The accomodation is in definite need of some TLC if you are expecting a 5 star service then you will be very disappointed

The island is teaming with wildlife which was unbelievable and such a joy to see and watch and interact with, the staff are amazing even though they are under pressure and short staffed

Stayed in January 2025

I found the staff that were on shift in the gift shop not interested and unmotivated. I would strongly advise that they take an interest in the customers visiting.

The whole experience from the boat ride, accommodation, snorkelling for the first time, and the delicious food were top notch. The restaurant staff were friendly and welcoming. Was lucky enough to see the turtles come up to lay eggs and baby hatchlings emerging from the sand.

Stayed in January 2025

Poor meal choice, food under cooked, basic and bland. Rooms not cleaned during our 5 night stay

This was my 5th trip to the island, and it is still my most favourite place on the planet. The diving and snorkelling are amazing. Sadly, the feef is bleaching more every time I visit, and there is more and more damage to the reef, but it is still stunning, especially when you head to the outer reef. There have clearly been some changes on the island since I last visited a couple of years ago. I completely understand that covid restrictions would have hit the resort hard. However, the cost cutting currently made for a less than happy stay. If it wasn't for the reef itself, I would not be returning to the island in the future. New years buffet, complete failure, meat raw and under cooked, it was not safe to eat. The cold prawns left out in the heat for hours, and again, I was not willing to risk food poisoning. Not enough seating for everyone, only cutlery was forks, no knives all being used. The moment said and bread rolls were replenish, gone instantly. For the cost of $35, I literally only ate a half-baked roll. Each mealtime was a disappointment, no butter, no fresh milk, ran out of salad on the 3rd day, no real vegetarian options, constant buffet style meals, no alacart as advertised. Everything is basic and tasting like package 6mix. Bean chilli, no sour cream, no salsa, couldn't even get chilli flakes to give food a bit of flavour. Pay for barrister coffee made with longlife milk, not overly pleasant. Staffing was at a minimum, and they were worked off their feet and being abused by other guests, which was not exceptable. The manager really needs to pull his finger out, support the staff better, and manage the food ordering more appropriately as you have paying customers stuck on an island and no decent meals, things will only continue to get worse.

Stayed in January 2025

There isn’t anything I didn’t like about the property!

The location is right on top of the Great Barrier Reef , the marine life is very visible & serenity of the resort.

Stayed in December 2024

Expensive internet

Paradise

Stayed in December 2024

It’s getting tired and is not well maintained at all. It’s tricky in the location but re-grouting in bathrooms, patching walls, ensuring doors open and close easily and also ensuring guests can lock their rooms is standard practice. In addition, the beds were also incredibly hard and uncomfortable. Adding mattress toppers would make a world of difference. Linen was clean and smelt fresh. A comfortable bed is all that is needed to make the difference to a stay being just average to being excellent.

I love the location - the island is beautiful. The snorkelling equipment was excellent and well maintained, the staff were friendly and helpful.

Stayed in November 2024