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Heron Island Research Station is a world class research and teaching facility and the most productive and prestigious marine research station in Australia.
- BARGE back to normal weekly schedule
- Early Career Grant Scheme
- Computer registration discontinued
- OFFICIAL OPENING: 20 February 2009
Heron Island Research Station has been established for over 50 years and is an internationally renowned facility for coral reef research and student training in marine sciences. Read more in "About Heron Island"
The ability to collect, study and return plants and animals in a very short period of time is a major attraction of the station. It avoids the cost and the loss of time incurred in transporting specimens back to home laboratories.
**Important: Permits are required for all Research, Teaching and Commercial Photography on HIRS**
The Station operates seven days a week all year round, except for the Christmas closure (24 December - 2 January inclusive). Staff operate boating, diving and laboratory facilities as well as maintenance support and housekeeping services.
Scientific equipment available at HIRS is far more sophisticated than that of most research facilities situated away from large population centres.
Heron Island is an important site for the long-term collection of baseline oceanographic data on the Southern Great Barrier Reef. It is an integral component of the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observations System (GBROOS) and nation wide Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS).