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This tiny coral cay is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it with pristine reef and beach environments including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds.

Those that are drawn to the Wilson Island Experience will see the natural beauty of the island, its seclusion and the freedom from modern-day living as part of its appeal. Wilson Island offers comfortable designer-inspired tent accommodation for a maximum of just 12 guests.

Wilson Island is essentially natural - a divine sweep of caster sugar sands that is home to turtles and birds. This tiny coral cay is both part of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by it, its pristine waters host to an unimaginable variety of marine life including coral and fish.

The Wilson Island Experience allows a maximum of 12 guests to access pristine reef and beach environments including rare turtle and bird breeding grounds. Guests on Wilson Island are able to enjoy exceptional snorkelling, bird watching, island and reef walks or simply relaxing within the peaceful natural setting, enjoying the stunning views.

Wilson Island offers comfortable designer-inspired tented accommodations on six permanent tent sites and is packaged with pre and post accommodation at Heron Island as a complete 5-night escape. The remote coral cay is located 8 nautical miles from Heron Island (Approximately 40 minutes by boat).

Wilson Island is the Great Barrier Reef as nature intended.

Nature Diary

Wilson Island is a national park, with nesting green turtles and loggerhead turtles as well as birdlife playing a key role in the island’s natural calendar.

On Wilson Island, black noddy terns nest in the island’s pisonia trees surrounding the luxury tents. And at night time the shearwater birds dominate with their mating calls. The shearwaters on Heron and Wilson Islands travel around the world each year but assiduously return to the same place to lay their eggs

January
Being the peak breeding season for sea birds they are very active this time of year, up to 30,000-40,000 can be on the island, particularly Black Noddy Terns (Anous minutus), Wedgetailed Shearwater aka Mutton Birds (Puffinus pacificus, Bridled terns (Onychoprion anaethetus) and Roseate terns (Sterna dougallii).
Female Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are laying eggs and turtle hatchlings can be seen making their way to the sea.

February
Bridled terns (Onychoprion anaethetus), Roseate terns (Sterna dougallii), and Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Mutton Bird) chicks hatching. Island birdlife remains active with up to approximately 40,000 birds on the island. Female turtles are still laying eggs and hatchlings continue to emerge from the nest.

March
Some birds show breeding plumage as they return to their Arctic nesting grounds. Birds still nesting, incl. the Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), Bridled terns, Roseate terns and the Black Noddy Tern. Female turtles are at the end of the nesting season.

April
Young Wedgetailed Shearwaters leave their burrows and adult Shearwaters begin to leave the island. Migratory birds such as Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Eastern Golden Plovers (Pluvialis fulva) start to leave the island for their Northern Hemisphere nesting grounds.

May
The last of the turtle hatchlings can be seen emerging from their nests. Young Wedgetailed Shearwaters are still learning to fly in preparation to leave the island by the end of the month.

June
Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliea) northern migration begins and they are often seen passing through waters around the Island. An average Humpback weighs 40 tonnes and measures 16 metres.

July
Humpback Whales frequently sighted in the Capricornia Bunker region. Eastern Reef Egrets start building their nests.

August
August is a month warming up to spring, and there is generally more activity on the reef and the island. Towards the end of the month the Black Noddies begin returning. Good Humpback Whale sightings.

September
Humpback Whales are active, breaching regularly. Black Noddies are now returning to the island and will commence building their nests. Northern Hemisphere migratory birds, such as Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Eastern Golden Plovers (Pluvialis fulva) arrive back on the island.

October
Whales begin heading south to the Antarctic with their calves. Black Noddies are nesting. Bridled terns, Roseate terns and Wedgetailed Shearwaters begin returning to the island to nest. Resident Silver Eyes also begin nesting. Turtle mating may be observed in the surrounding waters.

November
Turtles begin laying eggs. Wedgetailed Shearwaters can be seen digging and repairing nesting burrows at night. Black Noddy Tern eggs can be seen in the nests. The annual synchronised mass spawning of corals usually occurs during this month.

December
Bird life is extremely active with approximately 40,000 birds on the island. Numerous Black Noddy chicks can be seen. Wedgetailed Shearwaters are laying eggs. Turtle hatchlings begin emerging from the sand. Coral spawning may occur if this did not occur in November.

Eat & Drink

Dining on Wilson Island is one of the highlights of any stay. Our menus have a distinctive Australian feel, with a commitment to freshness, simplicity and variety.

Breakfast is a tropical buffet, with hot breakfasts cooked to order. Lunch is a delicious smorgasbord in the Wilson Island Longhouse, or for a really special experience try a picnic on the beach.

Each evening begins with guests enjoying sunset drinks and canapés. Returning to The Longhouse you'll find the table set for a dinner party style gathering of friends, with light music playing, candles lit, and the Island Hosts making final preparations for the evening's dinner.

Of course Vegetarian options can be catered with a little advanced notice. For any other dietary requirements simply discuss your requirements at the time of booking.


Beverages on Wilson Island

Premium Australian wine, Australian sparkling, full strength and light beer, spirits, soft drinks, juices and bottled water are available on Wilson Island.

A Cellar Masters list is also available if you wish to purchase a special wine for the occasion.

Facilities

The Longhouse

The Longhouse is the central dining and relaxation area on the island, a large comfortable banquette seating area for relaxing and socialising with an open kitchen. Guests are encouraged to treat the Longhouse as their own home, helping themselves to the library, beverages and snacks as they please.

Community Tent

A Community Tent, with open sides, large comfortable day beds, a selection of magazines and binoculars provides guests the perfect place to relax, chill out, and enjoy the stunning ocean, reef and sunset views.

Wilson Island offers comfortable designer-inspired tent accommodation on the Great Barrier Reef for a maximum of just 12 guests. Our accommodation offers panoramic Great Barrier Reef and ocean views.
 

Our six permanent tents, all with reef and ocean outlooks, are designed to be the ultimate in relaxed comfort. The central amenities building is the hub for your stay, with solar power allowing for a host of creature comforts including piping hot showers. Each tent has its own designated private shower and dressing area in the Washhouse, only a short stroll away. Our 6 permanent tents contain the following amenities and facilities: Raised Timber Floors King Size Bed with Duvets and Pillows Comfortable Deck Chairs Bathrobes Bath Towels Beach Towels Guest Toiletries Storage Chest Complete Screening Daily Housekeeping Service

Please click here for a location map or for a full screen map click here

GPS: -23.304424,151.918945

This accommodation is available as part of on of our Custom Itineraries or holidays, please visit our home page to learn more about how we can help you with your holiday.