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State Winner for 'Building Communities' in the Telstra Best of Business Awards 2024; State Winner for 'Promoting Sustainability' in the Telstra Best of Business Awards 2022
State Winner for 'Building Communities' in the Telstra Best of Business Awards 2024; State Winner for 'Promoting Sustainability' in the Telstra Best of Business Awards 2022

HERON ISLAND NATURE TOUR - ARTIST RETREAT: 25 February - 2 March 2026. Deposit of $965.00

Original price $965.00 - Original price $965.00
Original price
$965.00
$965.00 - $965.00
Current price $965.00

Book your reef nature art retreat now! 

"The Heron Island Nature Tour was one of the best nature experiences I have ever had. The opportunity to get together with like-minded people and to learn about nature through art in such a beautiful setting is probably unique in Australia. The coordinating team were flexible, attentive and very knowledgeable." Penny

Experience the best of nature on Heron Island, world famous for its spectacular coral reef and a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of marine and bird life. 

Heron Island is a National Marine Park in the Great Barrier Reef Protected Zone, and provides important habitat for unique flora and fauna. Our nature activities include exploring the ancient Pisonia Forest surrounding your beachside cabin during the peak breeding season for the Black Noddy Terns and Wedge-Tailed Shearwaters (Mutton Birds). See female turtles laying eggs and turtle hatchlings emerging, making their way to the sea for their epic ocean voyages. 

During this nature tour, document your observations through nature journaling with NatureArt Lab Director Julia Landford, and watercolour art with Karen Holloway. There are also lots of opportunities to photograph amazing wildlife during the week with incredible birds and marine species all around you. 

Our Heron Island Nature Tour includes: 

  • return boat trip from Gladstone
  • 5 nights accommodation and food at the Heron Island Resort
  • nature journaling with Julia Landford
  • watercolour workshops with Karen Holloway
  • a range of nature walks exploring the reef, island vegetation, birds and turtles
  • evening walks around the island
  • a visit to the University of Queensland's Research Station (optional extra)
  • free time for snorkelling/diving* on the barrier reef surrounds, or relaxing in the pool
  • a sunset cruise with drinks and much more! 

Dates:  25 February - 2 March 2026

- Boat departs from Gladstone on Wednesday 25 February, and returns on Monday 2 March 2026. Details to be confirmed closer to the date. 

Cost: $3,860.00 per person inclusive of return boat fares from Gladstone, all accommodation (double/twin share), food, tutored art workshops, guided walks and talks. 

A 25% deposit of $965.00 inc GST is required to confirm your place; the balance of $2,895.00 is due by 1 August 2025. 

Our expert nature tour art and science team: Travel with naturalists Julia and Alan Landford who have led expeditions to Heron Island, Montague Island, Cape York and the Atherton Tablelands, and Tasmania, and internationally to Borneo, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands and other destinations.

Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journaling and tour management. 

Alan Landford has a scientific background in zoology, specialising in entomology from the Australian National University. He also has substantial wildlife experience from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and other regions. 

Karen Holloway is an award-winning Canberra based botanical and mixed-media artist with a background in design and applied science. She combines her love of nature, patterns and surface decoration with keen observation honed by many years working as a paper conservator to create fresh, loose artworks with a vintage sensibility. Karen is currently undertaking professional studies for a Masters of Art Therapy and the benefits of art for human well-being.  

Nature Tour Cancellation policy: 

We strongly recommend that participants take out comprehensive travel insurance against injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure or tour cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.  

Any cancellations after the deposit is paid will incur loss of the full deposit, which helps to cover our costs for design and management of the tour program and early supplier costs incurred. 

For cancellations 120 to 60 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 59 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited. 

If NatureArt Lab has to cancel a nature tour due to undersubscription, you will receive a refund of all payments made for that tour.

Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au if you have any questions. 

bird on nest

marine research centre with person

snorkeling the barrier reef

sunset cruise

Photos: courtesy of Heron Island Resort

Discount Policy: Students may be eligible for Seniors Discount and/or Member Discounts on checkout.  If you are unsure about eligibility or how to claim this discount, please email info@natureartlab.com.au.

COVID-19 Policy: NatureArt Lab participants attending studio courses, workshops and nature tours are required to comply with current COVID-19 state policies.  Please check current policies for your state location.

Class Refund Policy:  Any changes or cancellations made by NatureArt Lab for any reason are 100% refunded or credited (for use on another course).  Any cancellations made by the purchaser are refunded (or held in credit) for the total amount LESS a $60 administrative processing fee.  Special consideration for waiving the $60 fee for compassionate/ extraordinary circumstances can be granted by NatureArt Lab by writing to info@natureartlab.com.au.

Nature Tour Refund Policy: Details for refunds on nature tours will be available separately.