Guide to Wilson Island Queensland Australia

Wilson Island is a two-hectare coral cay about 15 kilometres north of Heron Island and 80 kilometres off Gladstone. It takes ten minutes to walk around. A handful of safari tents sit behind the beach, and no more than about a dozen guests are on the island at once.

Known For

• A whole coral cay shared with a few other guests
• Snorkelling off the beach
• Nesting turtles and seabirds

The island is part of Capricornia Cays National Park and is as simple as a reef stay gets: a tent with a proper bed, a shared open-sided lodge for meals, solar power, and no phone coverage, television or day visitors.

Things To Do in Wilson Island

Snorkelling

Coral starts a few metres from the sand, and the reef around the cay has turtles, rays, reef sharks and dense schools of fish. Snorkelling gear is provided.

Turtles and birds

Green and loggerhead turtles nest here in summer. The island is also an important breeding site for roseate terns and other seabirds, and it closes to guests for about two months each year, from late January to the start of April, so the birds can nest undisturbed.

Doing nothing

There are hammocks, a beach in every direction and a very dark night sky. That is the point of the place.

Where To Stay

The tented camp is the only accommodation and is booked through the Heron Island operator, usually as part of a combined stay. It is aimed at adults and older children.

Eat & Drink

All meals and drinks are included and are prepared by the island’s hosts, with everyone eating together at the lodge.

History

The cay lies in the sea country of the Bailai, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda peoples. A small camp has operated here on and off for decades; it was closed for some years and reopened in 2019 after being rebuilt.

Getting to Wilson Island

Travel to Heron Island by ferry, helicopter or seaplane from Gladstone, then take the transfer boat to Wilson, which takes about 40 minutes.