We are considering staying on Heron Island when we visit the GBR region of Australia. Has anyone stayed there? Is it worth the money or are there some other places that would be similar that you would recommend. We'd love to be somewhere we could snorkle from the beach, but don't want to break the bank for just 3 nights of a 3 week trip.

We enjoyed Heron very much. We stayed four days, went over and back by launch, not helicopter, and valued the quiet time that it is in July. That said, the water at that time of year is VERY cold. It is all-inclusive as you know, and there is not a great deal to 'do' beyond the actual eco-activities of the resort. You must be prepared to forego TV, internet and phones. The basic accommodations are pretty basic (we upgraded).The major irritation was not be able to go north to Cairns from Gladstone but needing to go back to Brisbane and turnaround or take the puddle jumper. Next I hope to try the Whitsundays.

Thanks for the info. Do you think the water would be as chilly up around the northern end of the reef? In looking at the prices, we may have to go back to Plan A and stay at Port Douglas and take a couple of day trips out to the reef.

Water and air temps would be significantly warmer in the cairns area in july and august.

Howvever that is whale season in the southern reef.
try..
www.southerngreatbarrierreef.com.au
or
www.ladyelliot.com.au

for other options to heron.The fraser island and lady elliot package looks particularly appealing.

Heron Island is really wonderful. I've been several times and would go back again. It is one of the best places to see the Barrier Reef as it is one of the very few resort islands right on it. I have only been there during the "winter" months (June-Aug). Remember it is a coral island, so the water is never THAT cold. Winter days are usually lovely (in the 70s, maybe low 80s). At that time, most people rent short wet suits for snorkeling.

Every time I've been there, we've seen whales, sometimes very close up -another advantage of a winter visit.

RalphR and/or others, when you were on Heron, what was the bird situation? I am allergic to birds in cages, but never had a problem with wild birds except those nesting right in the room, but am concerned if the birds on Heron are all in the rooms and dining room or in the eaves of the buildings with their nests. We really, really, really want to stay on an island so we can snorkel from the beach or a short boat ride, but the bird situation is a concern. We plan to go next October, but could go earlier or later if the birds are less in a different month. I would love to see the birds, just not eat and sleep with them.
Sally in Seattle

Sally
I did a day trip to Lady Musgrave island last week...it is a coral cay in the same group of islands as Heron.

The noddy terns are nesting...there are hundreds of them sitting on nests in the pistonia trees.Bird poo everywhere...in several weeks the pistonis secrete a "glue" on their "flowers" and this sticks the birds wings together and they die to provide nutrients for the soil..ain't nature grand.

I found it fascinating..along with the turtle tracks...my partner felt she could not stay over with so many birds.

the snorkelling was good..and we saw a whale and many turtles in the water.

SnRSeattle: In winter, when I have visited Heron, bird activity is pretty minimal. All the shearwaters have left the island, not to return until nesting season in the summer months. Black noddy terns are still around, but not in huge numbers. Buff banded rails scoot about, sometimes in the dining area, but only one or two at a time.

Haven't been to the island in Oct, but my bet is that you will still be OK bird-wise at that time, at least at the beginning of the month.