Heron Island & Central QLD: Over-60s Social Getaway (2025)

Your fare excludes:

Day 1 Friday

Arrive Gladstone

Travel between Brisbane and Gladstone, sit back, enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride, and avoid the traffic onboard the Tilt Train. On arrival at Gladstone (approx 5:30pm) you will be met and transferred from the train station to Mantra Gladstone - your home for the next 3 nights. Included Meals: dinner.

Day 2 Saturday

City Sights

Today we take a look at what makes up this city, travelling down to the twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands swinging past Boyne Smelter Millennium Esplanade with lunch at Tannum Sands Hotel (own expense). On the way back to Gladstone we visit and tour the Barramundi Hatchery which breeds and releases around 200,000 fingerlings per annum into Lake Awoonga. You might even get to feed one of these metre-long fish from the brood stock. Included Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 3 Sunday

Discovery Coast

Around 90 mins south of Gladstone lies the Discovery Coast where Agnes Water and the historical Town of 1770 is situated. The LARC+Lunch experience gives you a taste of the scenery and experiences this region has with its connection to Captain James Cook’s visit, the indigenous history and nature. Return to Gladstone mid afternoon with time to freshen up prior to dinner at a local restaurant. Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4 Monday

Heron Island

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel prior to check-out. This morning you will be transferred to Gladstone Marina to check-in for your ferry to Heron Island, arriving around midday. There are a range of activities such as snorkelling, reef walks, turtle nesting tours*, dive trips, beauty spa treatments, or semi-submersible for those who don’t want to get too wet. Enjoy a guided Island tour exclusive to Travel at 60. Dinner this evening is at Shearwater Restaurant. Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5 Tuesday

Heron Island

After your restaurant breakfast, experience the guided Reef Tour, exclusive to Travel at 60. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure - why not take a snorkelling trip, reef walk, or maybe visit the UQ Research Station. Lunch and dinner will be at Shearwater Restaurant. Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6 Wednesday

Gladstone

Enjoy breakfast prior to check out of Heron Island at 10am. Time to farewell this island paradise and head back to Gladstone for your final night at the Mantra Gladstone. Check in mid afternoon with time to freshen up prior to your farewell dinner and drinks at Yaralla Sports Club. Included Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 7 Thursday

Farewell

Enjoy an early breakfast and check-out by 7:15am. You will be transferred to Gladstone Railway Station to board the Tilt Train back to Brisbane after this fun filled getaway at QLD’s Central Coast. Included Meals: breakfast.

*​ To minimise disturbance, there are strict guidelines in place for the viewing of nesting turtles. We strongly recommend you attend a Turtle Awareness presentation, conducted daily by the Naturalist Guides, and join a Guided Turtle Walk when available.

Please note: this itinerary is subject to change without notice due to weather, adverse road conditions and unforseen circumstances.

2025 T​ravel Dates

• 24 - 30 October 2025
• 3​1 October - 6 November 2025
• 7 ​- 13 November 2025
• 1​4 - 20 November 2025
• 2​1 - 27 November 2025

Are you a Queensland Pensioner?

Queensland Pension Card holders are eligible to receive four Queensland Pension rail travel entitlements each calendar year. Utilise these benefits on our great value package!

2​025 Prices with e​conomy class rail

QLD Pension Card holder: $2,639 pp twin share | $3,419 solo

Senior Card holder: $2,699 pp twin share | $3,489 solo

Adult: $2,769 pp twin share | $3,549 solo

2​025 Prices with business class rail

QLD Pension Card holder: $2,689 pp twin share | $3,469 solo

Senior Card holder: $2,759 pp twin share | $3,529 solo

Adult: $2,869 pp twin share | $3,649 solo

Call us today on 1300 414 198!

The award-winning Mantra Gladstone is a stylish and modern 4.5 star hotel within minutes of the city centre. The hotel features 60 premium accommodation rooms, secure undercover parking and complimentary internet access. The Superior Rooms feature either two queen beds or a single queen bed, and balcony. Beautifully furnished with modern decor these spacious rooms offer all the comforts a traveller requires. Includes complimentary access to the Yaralla Fitness Centre, internet and movies within the room.

Experience nature at its best on Heron Island, world-famous for its spectacular coral reef and a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of marine life. This natural coral cay provides a genuine eco-experience and the unique opportunity to witness the magic of the world’s largest coral reef. 

At Heron Island, you are not simply a hotel guest, you are a guest of nature – sleeping, playing and exploring a protected sanctuary overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. As a self-rated 3.5* property, accommodation features relaxed, low-key comfort and immediate access to crystal clear waters teeming with colourful fish, turtles, rays, reef sharks and more.

Heron Island caters to all levels of marine enthusiasts with 20 dive sites easily accessible by boat within minutes of the jetty. The most popular activity is snorkeling straight off one of the stunning beaches onto the Great Barrier Reef. Join a guided nature walk or star gazing tour, be pampered with a signature therapy at Aqua Soul Spa or head to Baillie’s Bar, the ideal location to enjoy the panoramic reef views.

HERON ISLAND

As a keyless property guests do not need to worry about carrying a key with them while snorkelling, diving or undertaking any of the other many activities available at Heron Island. Rooms can be locked from inside the room and a safe is available at reception if needed.

Turtle Nesting Season
Heron Island is a significant nesting location for two threatened sea turtle species, the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle. Nesting season occurs from November to March each year. To minimise disturbance to these magnificent marine reptiles, there are strict guidelines in place for the viewing of nesting turtles. We strongly recommend you attend a Turtle Awareness presentation, conducted daily by the Naturalist Guides, and join a Guided Turtle Walk when available.

W​hat is a LARC?

LARC stands for Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle. An ideal all-terrain vehicle, its design allows for the transition from water to land, or reverse, to be done on a range of shorelines. 1770 Larc! Tours vessels are well equipped for accessing the 27kms of picturesque coastline along the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Climbing headlands, 4WDing over sand dunes, traversing tidal creeks and riding surf, even with heavy loads, prove to be a piece of cake for these bright pink mean machines.

Willing to Share?

One of the advantages of taking a dedicated Travel at 60 group is that we have the ability to match solo travellers who wish to avoid the single supplement. Please let us know if you would prefer to share.
NOTE: this option is subject to availability of another traveller of the same gender willing to share. We require all guests sharing to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Please call for more information on 1300 414 198.