Heron Island Resort
Heron Island, Australia
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About the Hotel
Off the east coast of Australia between Cairns and Brisbane, Heron Island is a coral cay right on the Great Barrier Reef. Itâ€(TM)s also home to Heron Island Resort, whose reef experience is reserved exclusively for guests, a claim few other resorts in the world can offer. Though youâ€(TM)ll be removed from civilization, the resortâ€(TM)s creature comforts are many. Enjoy live entertainment, superb meals, and laid-back island lodgings that include Point Suites with their uninterrupted reef views and Wistari Suites that promise maximum privacy.
Location
Heron Island Resort
Via Gladstone
Queensland
Heron Island, Australia
4000
Nearest Airport: GLT
Features and Amenities
- On-Site Amenities
- Beach Access
- Interests
- Active & Adventure
Reviews for Heron Island Resort
Great experience if you survive the poor restaurant
Overall, the resort was excellent. Beautiful weather, our family room near the Gantry was great. Comfy beds, good shower, plenty of space. The activities were great, snorkelling was fun and the aquatic wildlife plentiful. The downside? The restaurant. Staff were helpful enough when you could get their attention but the food was usually cold and they run out of so many staples. No potatoes, no gnocchi, no chips. The steaks were the toughest boot leather I've ever eaten and the morning bacon about the same. Sloppy packet scrambled eggs and mashed potato was pretty ordinary also. Everything overpriced given the quality. Then there is the internet access. $25 per day for two devices. Come on it's 2025. Wifi is as basic a provision as hot water. Make it complimentary.
Brett B - Sydney, Australia
Staying on the Great Barrier Reef
We were a family group of 14, ranging in age from 7 to 80. We stayed in a variety of room types. What a privilege to stay right on the Great Barrier Reef in a National Park. The accommodation was comfortable and clean. From some reviews I had read I was a bit wary about what the Resort would be like. It was fabulous! You need to remember that is is a National Park and a long way out from the mainland. People go there to experience the Reef and the island. But you can still get a massage, a cocktail, a delicious meal. But don't go if you don't want to spend most of your time outdoors loving the environment. There are interesting talks and walks, many free of charge. You can borrow reef shoes and a walking pole and explore the shallow waters. You can buy snacks and clothing etc at the little shop. The reception staff were very helpful. To sit on a terrace and watch the sun set and the turtles swim by - doesn't get much better than this.
Barbara W - Hobart, Australia
Amazing experience, kind staff, good food!
Such an amazing place!! Our family of four stayed four nights (Monday through Friday) and absolutely loved it. We had originally planned to just stay till Wednesday, but having the extra day and a half was so worth it. The only negative thing we had heard before arrival was that the food wasn't great. This wasn't a major concern and turned out not to be true. We tried almost the entire menu and enjoyed everything. I would recommend the pumpkin gnocchi and the mushroom arancini; they were my favorites. Although the menu was slightly limited compared to some restaurants (as expected on an island), I thought there was a good variety and everything was prepared well. The servers were super kind and accommodating. We dove 3 times, and the dive staff and guides were all so amazing. Everyone was incredibly helpful and happy. We had 3 separate SCUBA guides, and they all made sure we had a great experience. The marine life was incredible, so many fish and turtles. Diving with sharks and even a manta ray made for incredible memories. The entire island is beautiful, the staff are all so amazing, and it was an awesome experience overall. It is definitely a place we want to return to!
Celia F
Nice Resort
We spent two days recently on Heron Island. The accommodation that we'd booked was a Superior Point Suite which was large and comfortable. The resort has a large indoor/outdoor bar area that very pleasant to sit and have a drink, and a large restaurant which is well laid out and offers a nice food and beverage selection. All the staff we came in contact with on the island were friendly and helpful, which is always nice to see. The fiery ride across was very choppy, but not quite as bad on the way back. The ferry crew were great though, and the ferry left and arrived on time which we were very happy about.
Michael_MandM - Penrith, Australia
Heron Island is more than a destination
Heron Island is more than a destination — it’s a soul-stirring experience. The natural beauty is breathtaking, but it’s the people who make it unforgettable. The staff are warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely care, making you feel completely at home. The cuisine is world-class, with beautifully crafted dishes that surprise you with their quality and flavour in such a remote setting. Heron Island is real, raw, and deeply moving. It belongs on every bucket list, not just for what you see, but how it makes you feel.I don’t usually write reviews, but Heron Island genuinely moved me. It’s one of those rare places that touches your soul and leaves you feeling deeply connected to nature, to people, and to yourself.What made it so special wasn’t just the jaw-dropping beauty of the reef or the incredible marine life (though swimming alongside turtles is something I’ll never forget). It was the people. The staff on Heron Island are something else, friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and so proud of the place they work. Every encounter felt real and heartfelt. It didn’t matter whether we were chatting with the marine guides, the housekeeping team, or the waitstaff, everyone had a story, a smile, and a sense of care that made us feel completely at home, and then there’s the food. Wow. I honestly wasn’t expecting meals of that standard on such a remote island. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavour. Hats off to both the chefs and the front-of-house team, they’re delivering restaurant-quality experiences in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, which is no small feat. Dining here became something we genuinely looked forward to each day.Heron Island isn’t flashy or over-the-top. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s remarkable. You come for the nature, but you leave remembering the kindness, the connection, and that quiet sense of wonder that stays with you.If you’re looking for somewhere that nourishes your soul and reminds you what matters, Heron Island should be on your bucket list. I feel incredibly grateful to have experienced it, and I already know I’ll be back. Thank you for the life-changing experience. Yvens Ferraz de Camargo
Luvfoodndrinks - Mornington Peninsula, Australia
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