One of our recent special island experiences was visiting Heron Island, during a trip to Australia in October 2014. Heron Island is a coral cay located in the southern Great Barrier Reef, 80 km north-east of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia. We were blown away by the colours and hues of the coral lagoons and reefs surrounding the island with white sand beaches and black rock.

The reef, with a myriad of colourful coral and reef fish, is right there, at your fingertips, right off the beach. It is a marine wonderland with crystal clear aquamarine waters surrounding the island and its stunning coral gardens teeming with colourful fish, amongst some reef tip sharks and variety of rays.

Heron Island is a significant nesting location for two vulnerable turtle species, the Green Turtle and Loggerhead Turtle. It is also a breeding and nesting sanctuary for a huge variety of birds with its large forests, spanning the whole island. The biggest populations are the Black Noddy Terns, Wedgetailed Shearwaters and Eastern Reef egrets. An island of immense beauty and a natural habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife.