Imagine, a brilliant sunrise over water so blue it seems unnatural, white sands appearing similarly enhanced and on the beach hundreds of tiny turtles scampering to the waters edge. The scene is real and is played out from December to April year after year on the pristine beaches of Heron Island where, year-round guests are treated to a showcase of natural wonders with the power to make even the most hardened of travellers �ooh-ah� with delight.

This World Heritage Listed coral cay, formed as part of the Great Barrier Reef, is renowned as a unique natural wonderland. The waters off Heron Island host an extraordinary range of marine life - over 70% of all the coral species to be found on the Great Barrier Reef and more than 850 different species of fish have been recorded -and above the shoreline nature�s work is equally spectacular.

The show nature provides on Heron Island is so extraordinarily diverse that marine biologists and naturalists have been watching it for more than 50 years from a permanent research station located on the Island. And since the 1930s, visitors have been drawn to Heron to enjoy the spectacle � the breeding cycle of the resident turtles being one of the greatest natural attractions.

There are seven species of sea turtles and Heron Island is one of the world�s major breeding grounds for two, Green and Loggerhead Turtles. When turtle mating season begins in September all attention is on the water until November, when the females lumber to shore to start their egg laying and the focus shifts to the sand and the spotting of turtle tracks. Later in the season, baby turtles � more than a hundred from each nest � emerge to make their way to the water before heading north.

Heron Island�s naturalists provide guests with instruction on turtle watching and conduct guided walks where facts on these intriguing creatures are shared in an easy and informative style. One of the many curious things guests discover when turtle watching on Heron Island is that the temperature of the sand determines the sex of the hatchlings and that female hatchlings will return to the same beach that they were born on when, in around 50 years time, they are ready to nest.

However, turtles are just one element of the show nature provides. Year-round guests can wander the sands and waters of Heron Island learning about the Great Barrier Reef and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

November sees the mass spawning of corals with fabulous colour in the water. December through to May the birds of Heron take their share of the limelight with Black Noddy Terns hatching and Wedgetailed Shearwaters nesting. Reef Herons begin breeding in January with hatchlings of all kinds in February through to May when the young Shearwaters take flight.

Throughout the year migratory birds come and go, stopping to nest or just visiting on their travels and it is in June when the largest visitors of all check-in to Heron Island as the Humpback Whale migration begins. The great whale show often continues through to October when the whales return with their calves. For guests of the two-legged variety Heron Island provides a welcome all year round and whatever the time of year nature will turn on a show.

4-night Heron Island including Reef Suite accommodations, all meals, beach picnics and many other activities $860 per person twin share. Launch transfer ex Gladstone $160 per adult return. Valid 1 April 2001 � 31 March 2002.

For further information on Heron Island, contact P&O Australian Resorts on 1800 73 76 78 (freecall Australia only) or 61 2 9277 5050. Visit www.poresorts.com or email resorts.reservations@poresorts.com for further information.

P&O Australian Resorts offer premium nature based holiday experiences in some of Australia�s most spectacular locations. Each property within the Australia�s Natural Treasures portfolio is a unique window to one of Australia�s World Heritage Listed areas and offers a range of quality soft adventure experiences in an individual, relaxed and professional style. P&O Australian Resorts include: Bedarra Island; Brampton Island; Cradle Mountain Lodge; Dunk Island; Heron Island; Lizard Island and Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa.

Media Contacts: (not for publication)

Julia Gauci Marketing Communcations Manager P&O Australian Resorts GPO Box 478 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia Phone: +61 2 9364 8350 Fax: +61 2 9364 8937 Email: julia.gauci@poresorts.com

United Kingdom, Italy and Germany Susie Barry McCluskey & Associates 50 Sulivan Road London SW6 3DX United Kingdom Phone: (020) 7371 8900 Fax: (020) 7371 8116 Email: susie@mccluskey.co.uk United States of America Timothy Fox Fox Global Communications 2021 Business Centre Drive #103 Irvine CA 92612 United States of America Phone: (949) 851 3144 Fax: (949) 851 2239 Email: foxglobal@earthlink.net