Heron Island, a coral cay located in the southern Great Barrier Reef, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique history. Spanning approximately 42 acres (17 hectares), the island supports around 900 of the 1,500 fish species and 72% of the coral species found on the Great Barrier Reef. During the summer months, it becomes a sanctuary for over 200,000 seabirds, including noddy terns and mutton birds. Historically, the island was discovered in 1843 by the crew of HMS Fly and was named after the herons observed on its shores, which were later identified as eastern reef egrets. In the 1920s, it briefly hosted a turtle cannery, but by the 1930s, it transformed into a tourist destination under Captain Christian Poulsen. Today, Heron Island is home to a renowned research station operated by the University of Queensland.