Field and laboratory experiences

Heron Island Research Station supports tertiary teaching activities across all study levels, from pre-university to undergraduate and advanced postgraduate.

We have hosted well-established university education programs for more than 40 years, and undergraduate groups from UQ and around Australia have used us as a base for decades.

Institutions from Asia, Europe and North America, including Stanford University and the University of California, are also long-term station users.

What we offer

Our high standing as a world-class training ground for future marine scientists is underpinned by our:

  • modern teaching spaces, including a lecture theatre, laboratories with dedicated equipment, and flowthrough ambient seawater
  • direct access to reef flat biodiversity
  • easy snorkelling from our vessels to deeper parts of Heron Island Reef and adjacent reefs
  • diverse field and laboratory equipment that allows for the collection, measurement and study of reef and island organisms, and a library for research and computing
  • networks and expertise that link students with other groups and marine researchers.

Love marine biology?

Hear from Dr Mel Cowlishaw about studying marine biology at UQ (YouTube, 1m:38s).