HERON ISLAND NATURE TOUR: 21 - 26 February 2024, Deposit of $600.00.

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. 

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 Lesley Wallington 
• 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
• free time for snorkeling/diving* on the barrier reef surrounds, or relaxing in the pool
• a sunset cruise and much more! 

During this nature tour, document your observations through nature journaling and  photography, and for artists enjoy the series of workshops with Julia Landford and Lesley Wallington.

Dates:  21 - 26 February 2024

- Boat departs from Gladstone on Wednesday 21 February, and returns on Monday 26th February 2023. Details to be confirmed closer to the date. 

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

A deposit of $600.00 inc GST to confirm your place is due by 7 January 2024; the balance of $3,260.00 is due by 15 January 2024. 

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. They are also manage international nature tours 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. 

Lesley Wallington is a professional award-winning artist and tutor with more than 30 years’ teaching experience. Her journey in water-based media, through studies at the ANU School of Art has resulted in innovative approaches to painting and competency across a range of mediums.  With a background in Biology, Ecology and Mathematics Lesley brings together in her work, a love of art, science and nature.                                 

As a teacher Lesley combines theory and technical advice with straightforward practical instruction in working with watercolour, gouache, pencil, ink and collage. With in-depth knowledge of her mediums and extensive experience teaching all age groups and levels, Lesley has the ability to inspire and direct a class while encouraging the unique style of individual students.

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.  

If cancellation takes place up to 120 days before the trip $500.00 is payable, for cancellations 119 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. 

Photos: courtesy of Heron Island Resort