Heron Island is a National Marine Park situated in the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. This area is a significant nesting location for two threatened sea turtle species, the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle.
Our over 50’s tour to Heron Island is in the height of baby Green and Loggerhead Turtle hatching season. During hatching season, turtle hatchlings will erupt from their nests between 25 to 50 metres from shore and make their way to the reef, just beyond the water’s edge.
Heron Island is a true coral cay and is ribboned by white sands, crystal clear waters and acres of coral with beautifully coloured marine life. The emphasis is on enjoying natural beauty. Stress is replaced by adventure, and your days are filled with discovery.
10 March 2024 (Gold Class) 14 April 2024 (Diamond Class)
16 Meals 3 Eco Experiences 4 Cultural & Heritage experiences
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Save $200 per couple or $100 Single if booked before 30 November 2023
10 March 2024 (Gold Class Departure only)
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PRE & POST TOUR EXTENDER OPTION
2 additional days (TOTAL 8 DAY TOUR)
• Return economy class flights ex Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Brisbane
• 2 additional nights room only (1 night pre & 1 night post tour) at Meriton Suites Brisbane
• Return Airtrain tickets ex Brisbane Domestic Terminal to Roma Street Station
Plus $999pp Twin Share
Plus $1230 Sole Use
**Subject to availability – some block out dates apply. Prices are subject to change without notice**
Deposit of $500pp required within 14 days of making booking to secure your reservation.
N.B. Tour subject to fuel levy price increases for all transport operators. See T&Cs for details.
Fun Over 50 Holidays Green Bank donation made to Research Station on Heron Island for coral reef studies and education.
Deposit of $500pp required within 14 days of making booking to secure your reservation.
N.B. Tour subject to fuel levy price increases for all transport operators. See T&Cs for details.
Board our opulent ‘Diamond’ or luxury ‘Gold’ Class’ coach, and travel responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. Sit back and relax as we make our way to the Southern Great Barrier Reef region. We break for a cuppa at Gympie Duck Ponds before we continue on north arriving at the small agricultural town of Childers. We take time here at Paragon Theatre, a heritage-listed cinema and theatre which opened in 1928 with ‘The Jazz Singer’ starring Al Jolson. Enjoy lunch, hear about the theatre’s bygone days and take in a classic film. Back on the road we finish our travel day at Gladstone for an overnight stay.
Embark from Gladstone Marina on the Heron Island fast cat to this nature lover’s paradise in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. We join the awe-inspiring turtle season encounter, led by marine biologist guides. Each night, Heron Island welcomes up to 150 turtles and their hatchlings, Immerse yourself further in the island’s wonders through a guided walk, where you’ll delve into the history, flora, and fauna of Heron Island. Explore the captivating Pisonia Forest near Shark Bay, and return along North Beach to the resort. Discover the formation of Heron Island, a thriving vegetated coral cay shaped by environmental factors. Witness the colonization of the island by diverse plant species and learn about the significant bird populations and annual visits by sea turtles. At low tide, join knowledgeable naturalist eco guides who will enlighten you about the formation of the reef and introduce you to the extraordinary creatures that inhabit Heron Reef.
**Fast cat transfers take 2 hours and are in open waters. Those who suffer motion sickness are advised to take the necessary precautions. Optionally, at additional expense you may like to organise return helicopter transfers from Gladstone.
Today is a free day on the Island, to continue exploring the natural wonders.
We enjoy a leisurely morning on beautiful Heron Island, before an early afternoon departure on the fast cat. Back on the mainland, we take a short journey to the Town of Seventeen Seventy (1770). Surrounded on three sides by the Coral Sea and Bustard Bay, 1770 is a picturesque village rich in wildlife and scenery.
This morning we take the ideal getaway on the Pink Amphibious LARC and enjoy the highlights of Agnes Water by land and sea. Our adventure takes us across tidal creeks, sandy beaches and 4WD drive trails, as you explore the Town of 1770 and Bustard Bay. We cross four tidal creeks and take a 4WD tour up the steep climb to the historic Bustard Head Light Station to take in the magnificent views and tour the lighthouse itself. Enjoy lunch on Middle Island, then get your adrenaline pumping as you try sandboarding (optional) down the dunes of Middle Island.
Homeward bound this morning, we break at historic Childers for a cuppa and time to visit the Palace Backpackers Memorial. After lunch in Gympie, we make our way back to Brisbane.
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Fun Over 50 is proud to announce that we’ve been named as a Best Of Queensland Experience. This means that we come highly recommended by travellers, and provide exemplary tourism experiences through:
Get in touch with us to join the waitlist for this tour. Our team will get in touch with you soon to confirm your details and reserve your place.
Get in touch with us to request a booking for this tour. Our team will get in touch with you soon to confirm your details and reserve your place.
Our Gold Class coach tours let you experience the beauty of the Australian landscape in comfort and style. From the coach itself to the accommodation and meals, every detail is considered.
See Gold Class coaches
For the next level in luxury, our Diamond Class coach tours give you the business class experience every step of the way. We only book the very best options available
Make tracks for Queensland's central west on the Spirit of the Outback, an historic rail journey like no other. Then delve deep into outback life staying in Longreach, Toogunna Plains Station and Roma. Visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum. Take a Station tour and Thomson River sunset cruise. Unearth dinosaurs in Winton, Waltz with Matilda, take a station tour with insights to the land overseeing all of Queensland’s iconic outback.
Take advantage of discounted low season fares and make tracks for Longreach on the Spirit of the Outback, an historic rail journey like no other. Then delve deep into outback life visiting The Stockman's Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum, Camden Park Station and a trip to the Age of Dinosaurs exhibit in Winton. We then depart the Outback and make our way to the Town of 1770 where we spend 2 nights. Take in the highlights of Agnes Water by land and sea onboard a unique LARC amphibious vehicle.
Join us as we head out west to experience the outback way of life, learning about how the graziers and producers of this region carry out their impressive operations all whilst enjoying the local sights and country hospitality. Spending nights out under the wide open sky away from the bright city lights you will be able to discover the cosmos in all its glory. Take the opportunity to see some of the endangered species of native Australian animals up close and personal as we visit them in their natural habitats. Discover and learn the history of Australia’s National Gemstone, the opal as we are shown how they are mined,processed, and turned into beautiful jewellery.
We take our passengers to Heron Island on our ‘Diamond’ or ‘Gold’ Class’ coaches which both produce 100% offset emissions. Passengers can enjoy a peaceful ride as we make our way up through Gympie and Childers before getting off a Gladstone. From Gladstone, we then take the ferry over to Heron Island.
Turtle nesting season on Heron Island typically occurs between November and March each year. These magnificent marine reptiles return to the island's shores to lay their eggs during this time. During Heron Island's turtle nesting season, visitors can witness the magical sight of mother turtles nesting and the baby turtles hatching and making their way to the sea.
Baby turtles typically hatch on Heron Island during early January. As darkness falls, these tiny, determined creatures break free from their sandy nests and embark on their incredible journey towards the sparkling ocean waters, guided by the moonlight.
The Marine National Park is located in the heart of Heron Island, nestled within the Great Barrier Reef of Queensland, Australia. This ecologically significant marine park is renowned for its stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, and the preservation of this unique ecosystem, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.
To book this tour, all you need to do is get in touch with us. We will take your details and reserve your place over the phone. We can also answer any questions you may have and give you all the information you need.
Our coach tours have a baggage restriction of 17kg per person (regardless of flight and rail allowances) due to our Occupational Health & Safety standards. You can also bring one small, soft carry-on bag not exceeding 30cm wide, 30cm high, and 15cm thick that may be stowed in the overhead compartment.
Each of our tours has a fitness rating which describes the level of physical activity involved with the tour. These ratings are very important when choosing your tour to ensure it's right for you. Our fitness ratings are:
Our Gold Class coaches have a seat capacity of between 44 and 46, but we cap Gold Class tours at 40 guests per tour. Our Diamond Class tours have a capacity of just 26 guests. Other tour types may have different capacities depending on the transport and destination. Please get in touch with our team if you have any questions about a specific tour.
In most cases, yes we can. We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking, and we can confirm with our suppliers and restaurants.
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We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
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We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
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