TURTLES SET TO ARRIVE AT VOYAGES HERON ISLAND

Voyages Heron Island is preparing to welcome amphibian guests in the coming weeks with the arrival of the annual turtle nesting season.

From the beginning of October Green and Loggerhead turtles will begin arriving in the waters around Heron Island to start breeding, many of which will have travelled from their nesting grounds up to 2,000kms away.

By the end of October, the turtles will start coming ashore to lay their eggs, and by early November guests will have the opportunity to witness female turtles arriving on shore to nest and hatchlings scurrying to the open sea shortly after being born.

Already there have been sightings of Green adult turtles around Heron Island, according to the Heron Island Research Station, with signs for a good nesting season this year.

To celebrate the impending arrival of the turtles and to allow guests as much time as possible to witness this awe inspiring experience of nature, Voyages Heron Island is offering guests two nights’ accommodation FREE with a six-night stay – representing a saving of 33% at a nightly rate of $128 per person, per night (twin share). The price includes full buffet breakfast daily and many island activities including guided reef walks, snorkelling lessons and guided birdlife walks.

This fantastic deal is on sale from October 1 through to December 15, for travel from October 1 through to March 31, 2009 – the entire duration of Heron’s turtle season.

Anna Guillan, Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing, Voyages Hotels & Resorts, said: “The turtle nesting season is the ultimate time for families and nature lovers to visit Heron Island. There are very few places in the world where you can gather on the beach and watch baby turtles scurrying to the sea after hatching.”

Green and Loggerhead turtles arrive on the island to nest at dusk or after dark and guests can catch a glimpse of all the action on a casual walk around the island’s beaches or with a nightly ‘Turtle Tour’ operated by the resort’s activities staff.

Female turtles lay their eggs in the same location where they were born and can lay up to 100 eggs in one clutch. Hatchlings emerge from their nests approximately six weeks after nesting and the sex of a turtle is determined on the temperature of the sand in which they are incubated; warmer temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures produce males.

A true coral cay right on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, Voyages Heron Island is renowned for its spectacular dive sites and boasts some of the most amazing and unique natural wonders all year round. Guests visiting the island can also snorkel on coral reefs teaming with fish and marine life, take an eco tours to learn about nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwater birds and Black Noddies; and see humpback whales breeching of the shore during migration.

Editor’s note:
* All prices based on twin-share occupancy. Please see the Voyages website for full terms and conditions and validity dates. www.voyages.com.au

Voyages Hotels & Resorts is an Australian travel company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations including the Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, the Kimberley Region of Western Australia and Tasmania.

Voyages operate award-winning properties such as El Questro Wilderness Park, Bedarra Island, Wrotham Park Lodge, Lizard Island and Ayers Rock Resort.