Wilson Island

The Wilson Island Experience starts with a night on Heron Island, located off Gladstone. On the first night you will meet up with the other Wilson Island guests with whom you will be heading off to Wilson Island. The following morning (or afternoon, depending on the tide), you will set off on a 40 minute boat trip to Wilson Island.

There is a lot to be said for the beautiful coral cay located right on the Great Barrier Reef. It should only take you 10 minutes to walk around, but by the time you have taken in some beach-combing, stopped to look at the masses of birds, tropical fish, turtles and other wild life around the island, it can take up to an hour to get around! During your stroll around the tiny island you would be hard pressed to see another footprint in the beautiful white sand – and if by chance you do see another footprint, you could easily work out who it belongs to, as there is only a maximum of 12 guests on the island.

The accommodation on Wilson Island is in very comfortable designer-inspired tents. There are The 6 permanent accommodation tents, all with reef and ocean outlooks, in total seclusion. Each tent has a king size bed on raised timber floors with your own hammock to kick back and relax in. There is a central 'Wash House', where you shower. Each tent has its own designated shower and dressing area, the toilets are also located here.

All your meals and drinks are included while on Wilson Island and enjoyed in the "Longhouse". The Longhouse is the perfect place to sit back and relax, chat to the other guests, swap stories of your days activities, read a magazine, or play a board game.

The food is also prepared in the open kitchen in the Longhouse and the the food is stunning with the menus changing daily. For breakfast you can choose from fresh fruit and cereal to a full breakfast cooked to how you like. Lunch is a smorgasbord, with cold meats, cheeses, fruits, freshly baked bread and more. During the evening you will start with drinks, maybe in the Longhouse, or out on the beach to enjoy the sunset, followed by canapes. The main meal is set up dinner party style, with endless amounts of amazing food to suit everyone's tastes. Premium Australian wines accompanying the meal ensured we had plenty of laughs around the table.

As I was lucky to be there during Turtle laying season, after dinner we would wander down to the beach and look out for the Green and Loggerhead turtles laying their eggs, or take a stroll on the beach. We did not get to see any hatchlings during our 3 night stay but turtles are often seen on Wilson Island emerging from their nests and running down the beach. The hosts on Wilson Island, Ben and Louise, were a great source of very interesting information about the wildlife which exists on the island.

The snorkelling right off the beach was fantastic, just like swimming in an aquarium. So many beautiful fish and coloured corals right on your doorstep. Other activies include lying in your own hammock or on the beach reading and relaxing, reef walks at low tide, catching up with other friends you have made on the island for a drink in the 'Longhouse' or 'Community tent'.

I was definitely very relaxed after our three days on Wilson Island, and did not want to leave the slow paced environment that I had been used to. We left on the boat trip back to Heron Island with new friendships made and lots of super memories. I can't wait till the next time I can get deserted on Wilson Island. The Wilson Island Experience includes your last night on Heron Island, or you can choose to extend your stay if you are not quite ready to return home.