Back to Field Trips
One Tree Island
Research Station via Heron Island
Bookings are now closed
Booking Code |
Arrive |
Depart |
OneTree1 |
2 July |
6 July |
Note: ICRS 2012 is Monday 9 July to Friday 13 July 2012 in Cairns
Trip Location
One Tree Island is accessed via Heron Island providing the opportunity for delegates to also
explore Heron Island.
One Tree Island and Heron Island are located in the Capricorn Group in the southern region
of the Great Barrier Reef. One Tree Island is a small coral cay of about 4 hectares, situated
at the seaward end of its reef which is 5.5 kilometres long and up to 3.5 kilometres wide.
Heron Island is a sand cay 8 hectares, situated at the leeward end of its reef and is about 9.3
kilometres long and 4.6 kilometres wide.
Both islands and associated reefs are excellent examples of the rich development
characteristic of the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. The reefs are home to around
60 percent of the 1,500 species of fish and around 72% of the coral species found in the
Great Barrier Reef. The islands are situated 80-100km east of the Queensland mainland
with the nearest mainland port being Gladstone. Access to the islands is via the catamaran
operated by Heron Island Resort with the transfer to One Tree Island on the Research
Station vessel.
One Tree Island Research Station (OTIRS) is owned and operated by the University of
Sydney.
Number of People
15 - 20
Cost to Participate in Australian Dollars
$2,000
Full payment to be taken at time of booking.
Cost Inclusions
- Transport to and from Gladstone (does not include travel between Cairns and Gladstone)
- Shared accommodation
- Meals, snacks and non alcoholic drinks
- Station Tours
- Snorkel tours
- Guided reef walks
- Evening presentations about the research being undertaken at the One Tree Island Research
Station and special features of the local marine flora and fauna.
Additional Costs
- Phone, internet and hire of towels
- Flights to and from Gladstone - these can be booked when registering to attend ICRS 2012
Diving Preparation
- All divers must have at least a recreational diver certificate.
Climate and Water Temperature
In July, One Tree Island and Heron Islands have an air temperature range during the day of
16-21° Celsius (60 - 70° Fahrenheit). Due to seasonal south-easterly winds the days can be cool.
Overnight temperatures can drop to 10° Celsius at times. The average water temperature in July is
18-23° Celcius (64 - 73° Fahrenheit). The maximum tidal range is approximately 3.5m.
Research Activities
People who want to collect specimens or systematically record data should book independent visits
directly with the One Tree Island Research Station as these activities are not scheduled into the ICRS
2012 Field Trip Program.
Field Trip Organiser's Contact Details
One Tree Island Research Station
Jennifer Reiffel and Russel Graham
Phone and Fax: +61 0 (7) 4972 9691
Email: onetree@med.usyd.edu.au
Program Outline
Day 1 |
1030 |
Meet at Gladstone Marina and be greeted by OTIRS representatives - catamaran to Heron
Island |
1300 |
Arrive Heron Island, for an induction, welcome and tour of facilities by HIRS staff.
Diving with the Heron Island Resort for those who wish to dive, and reef snorkel for others |
Day 2 |
Morning |
Dive or snorkel |
1500 |
Transfer to One Tree Island |
1600 |
Arrive OTI, for an induction, welcome and tour of facilities |
Days 3 & 4 |
Morning |
Snorkel tour of One Tree Lagoon |
Afternoon |
Reef Walk the One Tree Reef Rim |
Evening |
Presentation on One Tree Reef |
Day 5 |
Morning |
Depart for Heron Island |
1300 |
Depart for Gladstone (or a longer stay on Heron Island can be arranged) |
1600 |
Arrive Gladstone |
|