UQ Heron Island Research Station Alumni Weekend

On this once-in-a-lifetime tour, you'll go behind the scenes at UQ’s Heron Island Research Station and discover the Great Barrier Reef like never before. 

Whether you're passionate about marine science, conservation or the wonders of the natural world, this experience is not to be missed.

Event Details
Date: Friday 5 March–Sunday 7 March 2027
Ferry departs Gladstone at 9am on Friday 5 March, returning 3pm on Sunday 7 March.
Venue: UQ Heron Island Research Station
Cost and program: Prices from $1,057 per person (includes all meals). Travel to and from Gladstone is not included. $300 deposit per person required to secure your place.
Accommodation: Stay at the Heron Island Resort or experience the island like a researcher and stay at the research station. Check out the accommodation options below. 
Trip highlights: Join us for a sunset BBQ, guided reef walk and snorkel, researcher talks and much more.  

Heron Island Resort accommodation

The below room rates include accommodation for 2 adults per night.

If more than 2 guests are staying in a room, a supplementary charge will apply:

• $70 per night for each additional guest aged 13 years and over
• $30 per night for each child aged under 13 years

Room types

Turtle Room ~ from $308 per night

All Turtle Rooms are set amongst Heron Island’s ancient Pisonia Forest, which comes alive with hundreds of thousands of seabirds during nesting season from October through March. Comfortable and compact, these ground-level rooms are appointed with an en-suite with shower and feature a delightful timber deck or patio.  

The Turtle Room is 22.79 sqm in size and accommodates up to two guests and features: 

• 1 Queen Bed
• Hair dryers and extra pillows are available on request

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Reef Room ~ from $328 per night

Located on beautiful North Beach, Reef Rooms are comfortable and spacious with an en-suite bathroom with shower and an outdoor terrace with filtered views through the natural vegetation overlooking the reef.

The Reef Room is 21.85 sqm in size, can accommodate up to three guests on existing bedding and four people with an additional rollaway bed features:

• 1 Queen Bed & 1 Day Bed
• Hair dryers and extra pillows are available on request
• Rollaway Bed available upon request in downstairs rooms at an additional $75 per night, not included in extra guest cost

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Turtle Family Room ~ from $352 per night

All Turtle Family Rooms are set amongst Heron Island’s ancient Pisonia Forest, which comes alive with hundreds of thousands of seabirds during nesting season from October through March. Convenient to the pool and a short walk from the beach, these spacious rooms feature an en-suite bathroom with shower. Family rooms offer a ground floor setting, however one block of four rooms is available in a double storey.

The Turtle Family Room is 26 sqm in size, can accommodate up to four guests on existing bedding and five guests with an additional rollaway bed features:

• 1 Queen Bed & 2 Single Beds
• Hair dryers and extra pillows are available on request 
• Rollaway Bed available upon request in downstairs rooms at an additional $75 per night, not included in extra guest cost 

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Beachside Room ~ from $368 per night 

Offering direct access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the resort’s beachfront, Beachside Rooms are spacious, with glass sliding doors opening up onto a large outdoor balcony. While some Beachside Rooms offer partial ocean views, others are nestled among the protected Pisonia forests. The living area features two day beds, an oversized cane chair and a coffee table. These rooms are available on both the upper level and ground floor.

The Beachside Room is 33.6 sqm, can accommodate up to four guests and features:

• 1 King Bed & 2 Day Beds

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Wistari Suite ~ $468 per night

Located in a natural garden setting to ensure maximum privacy, air-conditioned Wistari Suites feature bright, spacious interiors and down lights. The Suite provides an en-suite bathroom featuring a stylish vanity and shower. The private outdoor terrace is just a short stroll to all Heron Island Resort facilities, the reef, beaches and the jetty.

The Wistari Suite is 44 sqm and accommodates up to two guests and features:

• 1 King Bed
• Air conditioning
• Robes

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Ironing facilities
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Point Suite ~ $612 per night

Offering stunning views of Great Barrier Reef sunsets, our air-conditioned Point Suites are private, spacious and designed  with downlights and large en-suite bathroom. These suites feature a lounge area and a private outdoor terrace.  

The Point Suite accommodates up to two guests and features:

• 1 King Bed
• Private terrace with views of the reef
• Air conditioning
• Robes

All Rooms Features

• A balcony or terrace with umbrella
• Ceiling fans
• Refrigerator
• Tea/Coffee making facilities
• Beach towels
• Ironing facilities
• Extra pillows and blankets
• En-suite bathroom with hairdryers

Heron Island Research Station shared accommodation