Catering

Visitors may elect to prepare their own meals or may arrange for a caterer. Large groups can use one of the two large, fully-outfitted kitchens attached to the dining room. Those staying in the Researcher Cabins have access to the large communal kitchen and dining area in the centre of that complex and visitors staying in either of the houses have their own kitchens. Employing caterers out of one of the two main kitchens is an option regardless of where you are staying if they are available.

All kitchens are equipped with gas stoves, ovens and microwaves. Equipment inventories are available for each kitchen, links are below.

      
Kitchen 1                                                                 Kitchen 2                                                      Dining Room

Caterers

The following commercial caterers are available to handle your catering needs while at HIRS. Please make arrangements directly with them. Small groups wishing to bring a private caterer may do so but arrangements must be approved by the University. Please ensure this Single Occasion Catering Agreement is signed and submitted to the University well in advance of your arrival at HIRS.

Self-Catering Food Shipment

Food and freight are brought to Heron on a fortnightly barge service. If you are self-catering, you will need to organise your own food delivery. The barge generally arrives on a Wednesday but public holidays and unforeseen circumstances occasionally alter the schedule. Please confirm barge dates prior to organising your food delivery.

Goods must arrive at the barge yard (11 Rooksby St, Gladstone, Qld, 4680) by 10am Tuesday in order to be loaded onto the barge for delivery on Wednesday. Please plan your deliveries carefully. If not delivered to the barge yard on time it may not make it to the island for a further two weeks.

Food Orders

Groceries can be ordered either on-line or by fax as indicated from the stores listed below. It pays to be specific with your order to ensure you get what you want. Food orders should be sent in the Thursday prior to the week you wish your food delivered.

IGA Supermarket
119 Tooloa St.
Gladstone, Qld 4680
phone: 07 4979 5700.
Fax orders only: 07 49725581.
Use this form

Coles Supermarket
Dawson Highway
Gladstone, Qld 4680
phone: 07 4978 4377fax: 07 4978 5386
Use this form for fax orders.
On-line ordering coming soon.

Woolworths Supermarket
Phillip Street
Gladstone, Qld 4680
phone: 07 4978 1066fax: 07 4978 2136
Online orders and credit cards only*

*When ordering through Woolworths, please make sure you place Heron Island Research Station
somewhere on the order - in the Notes Section is a good place.   It is also useful if
you can incorporate HIRS in the delivery address e.g. HIRS, 11 Rooksby Street, Gladstone.
If Heron Island Research Station is not marked on the order, the food goes to the Resort.

The supermarkets charge a make-up and packing fee which they include in their bill with your food order. Be aware that there will also be a freight charge on the "Robert Poulson" barge.

Alcohol

All visitors are subject to compliance with the Heron Island Research Station Alcohol Guidelines. High school groups are not permitted to bring or consume alcohol while on the station.

Some local hotels are familiar with the barge delivery service and will arrange for orders to be taken to the barge yard, charging to a credit card.

Possible hotels include:

  • Young Australian Hotel
    Fax No: 07 4972 0768 - Alcohol orders need to be faxed through by the Friday preceding the barge delivery. The YA must deliver the orders to the barge yard by noon on Monday. Any orders received after Monday noon will not be shipped on that weeks' barge.

 

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