Last weekend we decided to plan hooky from our regular chores and head out to Heron Island. Located at the Southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island will make anyone gawk and sigh in sheer bliss.

The trip takes around 2 hours from Gladstone Marina on the Heron Islander craft. Helicopters are the only other means of getting to the place. As you drift away from land, you watch the water change color and your everyday existence melt away.

The first view of Heron Island with the shipwreck literally blew me away.

The resort is pretty basic (don’t expect luxury like in other parts of Asia or the Caribbean). The rooms are clean and comfortable. So do not expect tikki huts and umbrella drinks as you lie back, The food is included in the package usually. The Sherwood Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ballies Bar offers drinks and quick bites (including pizzas, sandwiches, muffins etc).

The views cannot be described or captured on print. Pristine waters and shrub land overrun with birds – the place had magic.

We walked on the reef, built sandcastles, saw rays, sharks, whales and more.

The island is open to only resort guests so at any time there are not more than 300-500 people. This means almost deserted stretches of beach and peace. The Marina Center provides regular snorkeling and diving lessons/tours.

Informed guides take you on regular guided walks around the island. We did part of the reef walk, the research walk, the island tour and the birding tour.

The University of Queensland Research Center occupies a half of the island. I envy the folks who get there to do some research. I mean I spent my research days locked in a dingy basement lab with eyes glued to the computer screen.

The Aqua Soul Spa is a spot of luxury and indulgence.

At nights, there was live music at the lounge/bar. They also have a good stock of board games and movies to enjoy incase you get bored of the views (duh!)

The resort runs on diesel and has a desalination plant for all its water needs. Waste is frozen and shipped to mainland. All food comes from the mainland. It is quite an operation when you think about it.The luxury seeker in me was hoping for more food choices and luxury accommodations. But the point is, the outdoors and celebrating it.

We spent 2 nights there before making it back to the mainland and reality. Reality crashes on you when your phone starts beeping and signaling incoming messages as you move towards connected lands.

We are back to routine but the lingering memories of Heron Island will stay with us.

All opinions are my own. I received no payments/compensation for this review