Hervey Bay Destination-Information Listings

Fraser Coast Region

The Fraser Coast is a stunning tapestry of nature’s wonders uniting the iconic World Heritage listed Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The calm protected waters of Hervey Bay offer a natural playground for thousands of majestic Humpback Whales providing the worlds best up close and personal whale encounter experience. The beauty of the Great Sandy Strait and its coastal villages are complimented by a stunning coastline of pristine, white sandy beaches from Woodgate and Burrum Heads to Rainbow Beach. The splendour of the Fraser Coast is not only confined to the coast, with inspiring heritage in Maryborough along with national parks, native woodlands, heath and dense rainforest and the beautiful Mary River combining the best of the Fraser Coast Hinterland including Tiaro and Bauple. As part of the UNESCO recognised Great Sandy Biosphere, the region’s unique, diverse natural attractions are officially recognised in the same class as the Galapagos Islands and Central Amazon. With eco-experiences that revitalise the soul, adventure activities to get the heart racing, history that amazes, art and culture that inspires, local food and wine to tantalise the tastebuds and a lifestyle that captivates; the Fraser Coast is the perfect holiday destination offering unlimited experiences.

Hervey Bay

Bordered by 40 kilometres of pristine beaches, Hervey Bay is one of Queensland's best natural holiday destinations offering convenient access to World Heritage listed Fraser Island - the largest sand island in the world, and Lady Elliot Island - the first coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Hervey Bay is Australia's whale watch capital. Between mid-July and early-November whales can be sighted breaching and playfully chasing each other in the warm waters off shore. Visitors can choose an aerial tour or take one of the many day-long or half day whale watch cruises, which depart from Hervey Bay Marina daily during the season. From Hervey Bay escorted tours to Fraser Island depart daily or self-drive packages are available with a flight or barge crossing option. Hervey Bay is also a major access point for Lady Elliot Island, first of the Islands of The Great Barrier Reef, with flights running several times a day. In perfect, stinger-free water enjoy kayaking, yachting, diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. Boating and fishing enthusiasts enjoy estuary, beach, jetty, reef and game fishing. Join a tour or charter your own vessel, yacht or houseboat. Enjoy a bicycle ride along the picturesque foreshore, visit places such as the Orchid House within the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Marina area or one of the many restaurants and cafes situated along the Esplanade. Visitors to Hervey Bay can choose from a range of accommodation styles, catering for all tastes and budgets. Several of the accommodation houses, attractions and general facilities are also accessible for people with disabilities.

Nikenbah

Nikenbah, at Hervey Bay, is best known for its very good markets which are scheduled on the first and third Sundays of each month. Items for sale at these popular markets include arts and crafts, fresh produce, trash and treasure, cakes and jams and much more. Come early to score a bargain. You could even pick up man's best friend whilst shopping, as the market stands are set up near an animal refuge.

Pialba

The first attempt to create a central business district for Hervey Bay was at Pialba. It is the original part of the city and business enterprises were established, but no wit shares commerce with the Boat Harbour Drive business sector. It's also home of the local university campus. There's a library and an art gallery too. Check out the original post office and also the railway station, both of which have been retained, although the former no longer hosts rolling stock. Freedom Park houses the region's war memorial. You may have noticed that Hervey Bay has strong connections with caravan enthusiasts, and this is clearly evidenced by the number of caravan parks strategically located along Hervey Bay's beachfront. Pialba is just one of them. Just out from the caravan park is one of a number of coral reefs in the region. This one features some really vibrant coloured coral.

Point Vernon

South Sea Islanders originally settled the area which is now known as Point Vernon in Hervey Bay. They were known as Kanakas and were 'blackbirded' (captured and sent to Queensland to work the sugar cane plantations). The Polsen Cemetery and a monument are reminders today of the tragic role they played in Queensland history. That sets the scene historically. Today there are more pleasant reminders, such as the turtle hatchery, fishing at Gatakers Bay (also home of a delightful restaurant set right on the coast, in a plant nursery). Just off the shoreline is a coral reef, popular with those who fancy a spot of snorkelling. An osprey family offers thanks to the local council for the construction of a tower for nestings. It is here where the 13 kilometres walking/cycling/wheelchair waterfront track starts, ending up at the southern beach community of Urangan. The local council has constructed a walkway and converted a former railway line into The Links Corridor. This is slightly inland, and is a sealed walking/wheelchair/cycling track, part of a 10 year development plan. This is an ideal spot for a picnic, one of many in the seaside city, with free barbies at selected spots along the coastal walkway.

River Heads

Located 15 minutes from Hervey Bay, River Heads is a major departure point for vehicles to Fraser Island and has magnificent views of Fraser Island, the Great Sandy Strait and the Mary River estuary. The boat ramp is suitable for launching a large range of craft and there is ample car & trailer parking available. Rock fishing at the point will give you a good opportunity to land yourself an impressive catch as well as giving you the chance to admire the dolphins, turtles and dugongs which frequently pass by.

Scarness

Between Pialba and Torquay is the site of the original Hervey Bay holiday centre. In those early days, anyone looking for a bayside holiday headed towards Scarness. This was where the term 'the caravan capital of Australia' came about. That term no longer applies, even though the Bay does still offer pretty good holiday park facilities and right beside the beach too. Facilities include top picnic areas with barbecues. Scarness is home to the Maryborough Sailing Club, and the lads and lasses from Maryborough take to the water en masse particularly between September and April. There is also boat access. Not to mention wheelchair access too. Wheelchair access includes floating wheelchairs. One of the first museums in the district was set up in this community. They call it the History Museum, although aren't most museums history orientated? Culture with a capital 'C' is also experienced in these parts. There's almost constant use of the Z Pack Theatre, when local amateur thespians hit the boards.

Toogoom

Toogoom is a tiny seaside community 15 minutes from Hervey Bay, on the beautiful Fraser Coast. It is the perfect spot to indulge in a week of relaxing by the water. This picturesque area boasts unspoilt beaches, great fishing, wildlife and bird watching. Visit the nearby teagardens or waterfront restaurant.

Torquay

The stretch of road which hugs the Torquay coastline has quite an array of restaurants. Whilst there are plenty of restaurants throughout the Hervey Bay area, it is Torquay which has the greatest proliferation. Torquay has one of the best beaches in the bay city. It's also home of the Hervey Bay Sailing Club, and between September and April, the boys and girls are out with their playthings catching every wisp of a breeze. What a picture! If anyone suggests you go visit Bill Frazer Park, and if you have any younger members of the family with you, follow their advice. It is a park created especially for kids. Along the beachfront at Torquay there are plenty of barbecues, picnic spots and also boat access.

Urangan

Sure, Hervey Bay is renowned for its great long stretches of beaches, 40 kilometres in fact. There's boat access points, picnic and barbecue areas, and of course easy access to Fraser Island. Urangan features all of these attributes, plus some surprises. There is a wonderful marina, at the eastern end of the Bay. This is the departure point for whale watching tours and ferries to Fraser Island as well as a very long pier, measuring just under a kilometre. It is ideal for a brisk pre-breakfast walk. Slightly inland, just up from Kondari Resort, is one of the 10 best botanic gardens in the State. This is the Great Sandy Region Botanic Garden. It features a landscaped garden area, plus a relatively raw (natural) walking area along with an orchid house. The latter opens at 10.00am. At the end of the Esplanade, south of the marina, are the remains of an Aboriginal fish trap. It isn't in pristine condition, but its 'bones' can still be identified. The Urangan markets are popular. These are held on the sencond, fourth (and if five weekends) fifth Sunday of each month. Historically, it was in this area where Matthew Flinders proved that Fraser Island was just that, an island, separated from the mainland by a bay. There is a memorial to Flinders.