Heron Island

September 2-5, 2012  -- The Heron Island Experience

Early Sunday morning the shuttle to the airport picked us up at 4:40am.  Glad they were driving; Brisbane continues to confuse us directionally.  After about a 2-hour flight to Gladstone and a 2 hour+ plus launch ride we arrived at the very scenic Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. We spent the afternoon orienting ourselves to the island and enjoying a beautiful ocean sunset.

Monday morning we took a ride on the semi-submersible sub (sort of like a glass bottom boat). It took us out to the reef where we cruised amongst a lot of coral, fish, turtles and rays. The area we were in was called a “bommie” sort of a depression in the bottom of the shallow reef area - just like being in an aquarium.  The boat captain spotted some whales, so we quickly scurried up the stairs and caught a couple glimpses of the majestic Humpback Whales in the distance. In the afternoon we took a walking tour of the Research Station on the island, it is running on-going studies through the University of Queensland on the increasing acidity of our oceans because of the increased CO-2 in our atmosphere. Looks like a rough place to have to “STUDY”.

Tuesday morning the old folks dipped their toes into the beautifully clear water for a couple of short snorkeling adventures. CHILLY water, but oh it was worth it! We saw “a turtle, fish and shark oh my!!” It was great snorkeling, and despite our old out of shape bodies we managed to paddle around quite a bit and enjoy the magnificent sights.  In the afternoon we joined a walking tour of the island.  We got a good idea of how this tropical paradise was formed, and the plants and animals that inhabit it.

Wednesday morning we packed up to get ready to make our way back to the mainland. We took one last walk through the Pissonia Forrest on the track down to Shark Bay, about a ½ mile walk to the most beautiful beach. We spotted at least 6 rays swimming with in 12-15 feet from the shore. Amazing sight! We then walked along the shore and spotted a lemon shark 5 feet or so in length swimming along with us as we walked the shore back to the resort.

Heron Island has been a wonderful place to visit.  We hare now rested up from the long journey to OZ and have had some “once in a lifetime experiences” on the Great Barrier Reef.