Wilson Island
Voyages Wilson Island is a tiny coral cay located just 40 minutes from Heron Island. A divine sweep of castor-sugar sands that is home to turtles and birds, Wilson is both part of the Great Barrier Reef, and surrounded by it. Its pristine waters are host to an unimaginable variety of marine life, including colourful coral and fish, with some of the best snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, just off the beach.
Those who are drawn to the Wilson Island experience will see the pristine nature of the island, its seclusion and freedom from modern-day living as part of its appeal. The island provides a maximum of just 12 guests with access to the magnificent reef and beach environments, including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds.
Activities
A true communion with nature is at the core of the Wilson Island experience - to live and enjoy life as a beachcomber while being pampered by creature comforts. Days can be filled snorkelling and exploring the island, in-season watching turtles and birds nesting and the birth of hatchlings, or simply lazing in a hammock and enjoying the breathtaking views.
Guests can relax at The Longhouse, a spacious, open-sided central complex with dining and lounge facilities - the perfect place to unwind over a drink at the end of the day. All meals are included and the menus have a distinctive Australian feel, with a commitment to freshness, simplicity and variety. The open-sided Community Tent, with its large day bed, comfortable armchairs, magazines and binoculars provides guests with an alternative place to chill out and enjoy the stunning ocean, reef and sunset views.
Splendid isolation and splendid food. Voyages Wilson Island is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended.
(NB: Children 12 years and under are not catered for. Wilson Island is closed during the month of February for the bird-nesting season.)
Style of accommodation
Wilson Island offers designer-inspired tented accommodation, with six permanent tent sites - all with reef and ocean outlooks - combining simplicity of design with luxurious comfort. Interiors feature natural materials and a modern beachcombing theme and include raised timber floors, king size bed, comfortable deck chairs and hammocks and complete insect screening. Solar power allows for hot showers and other creature comforts to be enjoyed in the central amenities building. Each tent has its own designated private shower and dressing area in the Washhouse. Toilets and vanities are also located in this building.
Great Barrier Reef access
- Coral cay
- Snorkelling straight off the beach
- Half day diving charters are available on board the MV Wahoo, a custom-built 9-metre mono-hull vessel providing a perfect platform for dive expeditions (advance booking is required).
Destination highlights
- World-class snorkelling directly off the beach
- Nature and ecology: Watching green and loggerhead turtles laying their eggs or their baby hatchlings emerging from their nests (in season - November to May); whale sightings (June-October)
- Fine food and wine
- Luxury camping
- "Castaway" experience with all the creature comforts
Fact Box
Postal address: Voyages Hotels & Resorts Pty Ltd, GPO Box 3589, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia
Telephone: 61 2 8296 8010
Fax: 61 2 9299 2103
Email: travel@voyages.com.au
Website: www.voyages.com.au
Access
Access to Wilson Island is via Heron Island. Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities to Heron Island via Gladstone. Australian Helicopters depart Gladstone Airport for Heron daily during daylight hours. A launch service departs Gladstone Marina for the island once a day. Wilson Island is a 40-minute boat ride from Heron Island.
