hervey bay qld tourist information centre

Contact Fraser Coast Council via phone or email.

• 1300 79 49 29
• [email protected]

Opening Hours

Hervey bay visitor information centre.

You can make your holiday here in Hervey Bay more memorable by talking to us at the Hervey Bay Tourist Centre. We can help you plan your itinerary and book you on the tours and activities that will give you the best holiday experience.

There’s lots to see and do here in Hervey Bay, Fraser Island and Lady Elliot Island from whale watching tours, through to Fraser Island tours , exploring Lady Elliot Island and much more!

With years of experience here in Hervey Bay the friendly staff at the Hervey Bay Tourist Centre know the best activities and the best tours so talk to us … tell us what you want to see and do … and let us take the hassle out of organising your Hervey Bay holiday.

Call us today on (07) 41 289800 or (07) 41 253 287 and let us take the stress out of organising your next holiday in Hervey Bay

The world's largest sand island is home to unique flora and faun. Boasting spectacular natural features and scenery, world-heritage listed Fraser Island is renowned.

Booking Enquiries

You want the best tours at the right price and we deliver! Call us now on:

(07) 41 289800

(07) 41 253 287.

We are situated at: Shop 1 Buccaneer Drive Urangan at the entrance to the Whale Bay Marina, Hervey Bay. We're open from 7am to 5.30 pm every day of the year except Christmas Day

Come into our booking office at the marina and see our range of products for all your tour needs:

- Souvenirs - Postcards - Sunglasses - Hats - Women's/ Men's clothing - Sunscreen

Copyright © 2024 Whale Watch Tourist Centre Pty Ltd

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Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre

Tourist information & services hervey bay , fraser coast , queensland.

The accredited Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre is located conveniently on the main road.

The attractive accredited Visitor Information Centre is the proud winner of numerous Customer Service Awards. These have been achieved through the work of their dedicated and well-informed team, who pride themselves in assisting regional visitors to achieve the ultimate Fraser Coast Experience.

The centre is the shop window to their diverse region, offering information on exploring K’gari, the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the Sandy Straits. Whether your passion is a 4WD adventure, fishing, snorkelling/diving or relaxing on the perfect beach, they can assist in making your dream holiday a reality. They offer a tour booking service, tide charts, and maps and are an agent for Queensland National Parks for all your camping and vehicle permits. Dining guides will tantalise your taste buds, and accommodation and caravan park information are obtainable.

Locally produced gifts and souvenirs are available for purchase.

Talk to the local travel agents in our centre and embrace everything Hervey Bay has to offer.

Disabled Assistance

Accreditation

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Visitor Information

One of the great things about Hervey Bay is that whilst it feels like you have travelled afar to find absolute paradise, it’s actually very accessible and easy to get to, some say it's one of Queensland’s best kept secrets. 

Imagine hearing the gentle waves lapping the white sandy beaches as the pace of life immediately slows ... and it's only taken an easy 35-minute flight from Brisbane or 90-minute flight from Sydney to get here.

Alternatively, to get away for a few days with the family, it's a leisurely 3.5-hours drive north from Brisbane, or an even shorter 2.5-hours drive north from the Sunshine Coast Airport. 

When you arrive, time stops and you will feel one with nature. You'll be reminded of the friendliness of regional coastal towns whilst you still have access to the creature comforts and everything you like to enjoy.

There’s lots of tours and experiences to be enjoyed, amazing food, or you can just take it easy and unwind or explore at your own pace.

'Experience Hervey Bay' is a locally owned & operated Online Visitor Information & Booking Service ready to help you plan one of your best ever Experiences!

Getting To Hervey Bay

Transport + Hire

Weather + Tides

Hervey Bay Lifestyle Find out why so many are calling it home!

There's a quiet sea-change movement taking place in Hervey Bay with many visitors deciding to relocate here permanently after experiencing it's wonderful coastal & friendly lifestyle.

We could talk all day about how awesome Happy Hervey Bay is to live (of course why else would we live here!).  But to help you consider whether it could be the place for you to visit or live, here's a snapshot of what you'll love.

"The jet ski tour was a fantastic day! It is a superb showcase of the marine park and the Hervey Bay waterways. Stuart is an extremely professional guide and ensured every aspect of the trip was a great experience. We all loved it and will be back again."

"I just wanted to let you know I had a great time on the Island. Thank you so much for arranging it for me. Having everything organised for me was definitely the best way to go. I would not have been able to organise all that by myself."

"Thank you so much for all your effort in getting us to K'gari, it was an amazing trip. Thank you especially for offering to drive us to the collection point, thankfully it all worked out but I really appreciate your help! Best regards and a have a wonderful day!"

"We took our Mum to see the whales to tick off an experience she has always longed for. Mum is almost 90 and in a wheelchair. The staff on Quick Cat were absolutely amazing and attentive making sure she had a wonderful time. Thank you so much loved every minute." 

"Our favourite tour was the remote west coast of Fraser Island. It was amazing and such a surprise how beautiful it is."

"I have always wanted to see Fraser Island and the day tour we booked here was perfect, we want to come back for longer!"

"It was so easy to see all the whale watching tours in one place and choose the right one for us. Thanks for your help."

"Expert and passionate knowledge of Hervey Bay and its surroundings. Highly recommended."

"Haven't been to Hervey Bay in years. I have been reminded how awesome Hervey Bay is thanks to experienceherveybay.com.au. Trip booked. See you soon Hervey Bay!!"

"Hervey Bay is heaven on earth. Can highly recommend 'Experience Hervey Bay' as the people to meet all your needs and help you to make the most out of your Hervey Bay holiday. The team are so friendly, knowledgeable and go above and beyond to ensure that you have the best time. Thank you, can’t wait to visit again."

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Queensland Explore Centre - Hervey Bay

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Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre

The Central Queensland Highlands Visitor Information Centre is the ideal launching pad for anyone to Explore More of the region. Our friendly and knowledgeable team can help with advice, bookings and itineraries, and we’re well-stocked with brochures, maps and souvenirs. The building’s walls are made from barely straw bales, covered in lime and earthen renders. An Eastern Bearded Dragon sculpture, made from recycled farm equipment, welcomes visitors at the centre’s entrance. The centre sits in a shady spot at the foot of Moreton Park – home to a giant replica van Gogh Sunflower painting and the Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway.

Opening Hours:

Open 7 days: 9.00am – 5:00pm

What We Offer:

• Tour Bookings
• Queensland National Parks booking agent
• Gifts & Souvenirs
• Local and intrastate guides and maps
• 48hr Free RV stop & dump point
• Accommodation and Caravan Park bookings

Top 10 things to do around the region:

1. Whale watching 2. Visit Fraser island – either by tour, own vehicle or 4WD Car hire 3. Visit Lady Elliot Island – daily flights departing Hervey Bay Airport 4. Join a cruise 5. Go sailing 6. Enjoy fishing – either from the beach or join a charter 7. Stand up Paddle board the calm waters 8. Follow the Bike pathways along the esplanade or rail trail 9. Visit the Botanic Gardens 10. Join a helicopter flight over the Great Sandy Straits

Contact us:

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• Unique Experiences
• Places to Stay
• Getting out doors
• Events & Festivals

Fraser Island Queensland Australia

Welcome To One Of The Earth’s Greatest Discoveries – Fraser Island

Fraser Coast Tourism And Information

To maximise the potential of Fraser Coast tourism and information of the Bay as a modern commercial centre and popular tourist destination , the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau.

Both the City Council and the Bureau are working in close partnership towards the common goal of attracting more people to visit , invest and reside in Hervey Bay and its environs.

Part of the City Council’s strategy addresses the tasteful and coordinated development of the city heart area at Pialba. The importance upgrading public spaces in retail centres is a recognised priority.

It stimulates retail investment, creates a strong visual identity and serves to focus on community cultural activities.

The Planning and Development department continues to hold responsibility for the development of the city. Comprehensive plans have been outlined for all works in the area.

Hervey Bay City Council has other major and active departments covering Roads, Environment and Health Protection, Infrastructure and Community Development and Recreation.

Service Units that will provide efficient, cost-effective competitively driven services to Ratepayers are currently being established by Council.

Medical Practices Fraser Coast

The Hervey Bay Hospital is an integral component of the Fraser Coast Health Service District and Queensland Health. It was officially opened in June 1997. The facility is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built acute care hospital, with services aimed at meeting the needs of the local community.

Hervey Bay’s local medical and dental practitioners and specialists also cater comprehensively for the needs of the community. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and alternative therapies are well represented.

An Ambulance centre, Women’s Health Centre, Day Respite Centre, Meals on Wheels, home nursing care, care for the aged and support for people with special health conditions are available to residents and visitors.

Fraser Coast Tourism And Transport

Hervey Bay’s main residential areas are spread across five major suburbs, but it takes no more than 15 minutes to drive from one end to the other. A paved 17-kilometre bicycle track and walkway extends the entire length of the Hervey Bay Esplanade .

Local buses serve the suburbs and driving in minimal traffic is scenic and enjoyable. Good roads connect Hervey Bay to all the local outlying towns and villages such as Howard , Toogoom and Torbanlea .

Howard is a daily stop on Queensland Rail’s “Spirit of Capricorn” passenger service. There is a small Freight Distribution Centre located in Pialba.

Hervey Bay Airport has a new, modern Terminal building which was opened in 1996. It is serviced daily by five flights to and from Brisbane . Helicopter and fixed-wing charter and joy flights are available.

Private aircraft can be housed in hangars with 24-hour security. Air /sea search and rescue services that can be called out in emergencies are also based at the Airport.

The Urangan Boat Harbour provides casual and permanent berthing and service facilities for yachts and powerboats. Other services include chandlery, slipway and boat building.

Passenger vessels and barges for passengers and four-wheel drive vehicles to and from Fraser Island use the Urangan Boat Harbour and River Heads .

Community Clubs And Organisations Around The Fraser Coast

A number of clubs servicing the business and general community are active in Hervey Bay. They hold regular dinners and social events. An initiative of the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau, the Business Forum is an opportunity for business people to meet and network.

It holds monthly functions and concentrates on local issues. There are sports clubs for golf , fishing, football, cricket and other sporting activities.

The new unique joint-use academic/public library is popular and busy. Collections of books, compact discs, video and audio CDs, large print volumes and magazines, provide for adult, young adult and junior members of the community and university personnel.

The Library also provides computer and Internet browsing facilities. Art and photographic exhibitions are regularly displayed in the adjoining Regional Art Gallery.

Those interested and involved in art, music, writing, theatre, crafts, gardening, woodwork, gems and minerals will find kindred spirits to share their interests.

Over 55s who want to enhance and expand their knowledge can attend the University of the Third Age to study foreign languages, local history or a range of interesting subjects.

Hervey Bay Has been a holiday playground since its earliest days – its calm waters, sandy beaches and great fishing lure for visitors from all over the world. Hervey Bay enjoys a superb climate all year round.

Fraser Coast Tourism has been made popular for its whale watching location and is considered an excellent value holiday destination. Its warm climate and safe swimming beaches are a feature.

From August to mid-October, Humpback Whales returning South to Antarctica stay in the warm waters of the bay. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and is considered a fishing paradise.

It is a truly remarkable location that draws many visitors each year. The wreak of the Maheno can still be found on the sandy beach of the island.

Hervey Bay and K’Gari (Fraser Island) has an excellent range of accommodation to suit all budgets from family hotels to upmarket hotels for those looking for the ultimate experience. We have listed many of the best hotel accommodation for you to choose from.

For years it was south-east Queensland’s best-kept secret – its safe, sheltered waters and sandy beaches proved especially popular with families. Now the secret is out! Holidaymakers choose Hervey Bay for all sorts of reasons.

Some come for the majestic humpback whales which frolic in the balmy Bay waters from August to October.

Some are lured by the unique and breathtaking wonder of World Heritage -listed Fraser Island which is just a short ferry or fast cat ride offshore. Then there are the keen fishermen who’ve heard of Hervey Bay’s reputation as an angler’s paradise

Others have caught wind of the array of aquatic activities , the tourist attractions, the superb dining, the heritage values and the facilities for tracking down family trees, and the beachfront accommodation from top-class resorts to comfortable caravan parks.

And then there are those who seek out nothing but a patch of sand or a spot by the pool to escape the pressures of the 20th Century. Hervey Bay really is many things to many people, but for all its diversity, it maintains a leisurely pace and unspoiled beauty and charm.

Fraser Coast Educational Facilities

Hervey Bay offers all levels of education and training to prospective students and employers. Facilities range from pre-school and kindergarten to University and cover a wide range of secular and religious primary schools .

Instruction is available from year one to year twelve, plus a TAFE College and the Wide Bay Campus of the University of Southern Queensland. Special schools for people with disabilities are also available.

The City’s educational facilities are first-rate, with the extensive provision of electronic and other modern resources enabling students to communicate with the world.

Hervey Bay is also exploring a city-wide intranet concept for the provision of information to visitors and, ultimately to allow local businesses to network for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Training facilities for youth and re-training facilities for other client groups are provided through a network of private and public (not-for-profit) establishments.

These provide apprenticeships and on-the-job work experience for their clients and administer State and Commonwealth Government training schemes.

A wide range of associate and diploma courses is offered by the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE of which the Hervey Bay Senior College is a part. Courses are available in business, construction, engineering, tourism and hospitality, social sciences, accounting, or why not try arts.

A number of short fee-for-service courses are now on offer, tailored to meet business demands for training. Business courses may also be taken as part of a joint TAFE/University initiative.

The University of Southern Queensland opened a new campus in Hervey Bay in 1997, offering degree courses in commerce, education, engineering, arts, business and post-registration nursing.

The campus offers open learning facilities (from 1998), modern lecturing facilities, 24-hour access to computer laboratories and a sophisticated joint-use library facility in conjunction with Hervey Bay City Council.

It also offers support to the many hundreds of external USQ students in the Wide Bay region and further afield and is involved in tertiary preparation courses to assist disadvantaged people to enter university, as well as professional development programs for local business.

The University of the Third Age (U3A) conducts classes for older students from the new campus on Old Maryborough Road. Your business future and your children’s educational future are assured in Hervey Bay.

Transport Is No Problem On The Fraser Coast

There is easy access to the main highway, electric rail, air services and the main ports of Brisbane and Gladstone for container and bulk exports.

Manufacturing items for the building industry, consumer durables, high-tech componentry, specialised engineering equipment, furniture, leisure products, marine and aviation equipment and services are all identified as industries with local and export markets that may be developed profitably.

Fraser Coast Tourism supports business opportunities abound such as souvenirs incorporating Aboriginal and other local artwork, fashion clothing, packaging, and food (especially small crop farming for niche markets).

Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau are focused on encouraging responsible tourism and economic development initiatives. Facilities can be physically and financially packaged to suit the needs of a diversity of businesses.

There are substantial opportunities in the further responsible development of Hervey Bay’s natural and human resources for innovative, creative business initiatives leading to lucrative export markets.

South-East Queensland alone provides a potential market of 2.4 million people within a four-hour drive. The mix of skills, professions and experience of a population drawn from many diverse backgrounds and age groups is a tremendous asset in terms of growth potential.

Manufacturing On The Fraser Coast

Hervey Bay’s manufacturing and processing industries are based on the natural resources of the area and on the strong population growth driving the building industry.

Strong growth in the number of manufacturing and processing enterprises established in Hervey Bay during the past fifteen years is well above the average growth rate for the Wide Bay region. Dominant industries based on natural resources are seafood processing and treated pine timber manufacturing.

The seafood industry is the largest employer in Hervey Bay, though this is on a seasonal basis. Seafood is also one of the largest exports, being shipped to overseas markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.

The local industry is seeking to add more value by further processing and specialist packaging to suit the most discerning markets.

The treated pine timber industry is the next largest employer in Hervey Bay. Its raw materials come from extensive pine plantations in the region. There is a steady demand for indoor and outdoor furniture and recreational products.

Born on the impetus of Hervey Bay’s rapid population growth, the building industry accounts for some 40 per cent of all manufacturing enterprises in Hervey Bay.

Products include masonry, wall frames and roof trusses, windows and doors, roofing materials, metal fabrication and similar building components. Food processing plants, steam boilers, stainless steel items, farm machinery and commercial boat building are growing industries.

The heavy engineering centres in the Wide Bay are Maryborough , 34 kilometres to the South and Bundaberg , 120 kilometres to the north.

These centres manufacture locomotives and railway rolling stock, mining equipment, transport equipment, sawmill equipment, sugar mills, sugar cane harvesting machinery and general farm machinery for local and export markets.

Currently, these heavy engineering enterprises import significant components for their major products. By producing such components locally, electricians and the light engineering community could move into a lucrative home market.

They are also well placed to sub-contract machining and fabrication work for the prime contractors.

A light aircraft industry based on the innovative design of the Seabird Seeker aircraft is located in Hervey Bay. The Seeker is a real alternative to helicopters for surveillance markets worldwide.

This covers police, customs and immigration work, air/sea search and rescue, and the monitoring of land, water and forest resources.

The Seeker can also aid several projects like pipeline and similar route planning and general cartographic applications. Other manufacturing and production enterprises include textiles, printing and publishing and souvenir, trophy and gift lines.

Many opportunities in building, tourism, media and publishing, engineering and high technology are yet to be exploited. Building products, treatments and decor products for new structures, the after-market and the do-it-yourself market all represent excellent potential.

Other promising possibilities are specialist engineering in water treatment, sanitation and similar applications for export markets and a broad range of specialist technologies.

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Few cities are blessed with Hervey Bay’s abundance of natural assets. The Great Sandy Strait , Fraser Island and the beaches, bushland and wetlands make Hervey Bay one of the greenest and most environmentally friendly cities in south-east Queensland.

Large numbers of visitors and residents enjoy its natural attractions.

The City Council seeks to enrich and enhance these valued assets of coastal scenery, superb beaches, clean environment and relaxed lifestyle which draw so many people to live and invest in the city.

Council is determined to forestall any environmental problems that might compromise the unique quality of life. Forward planning seeks to balance growth and protect the environment.

A bikeways and transport strategy is designed to complement these plans. A management plan has been developed for the extensive foreshore reserve and there is an emphasis on the retention of natural scenic appeal.

Utilities On The Fraser Coast

Adoption of the latest technology and state of the art systems has ensured that water supply and sewerage facilities have kept pace with Hervey Bay’s rapidly growing population.

Forward planning by Wide Bay Water, a business unit of Hervey Bay City Council, considers land-based effluent re-use and comprehensive and efficient waste management systems. Programmed planning is in place to maintain these high standards in the future.

The Council won a National Award for Innovation in Local Government for its Eli Creek effluent irrigation scheme. This project promises major environmental and economic benefits, protecting waters off Fraser Island, enhancing tourism, and local agriculture and reducing infrastructure costs.

Ergon Energy purchases electric power in bulk from the Queensland Electricity Commission. It distributes and services all aspects of this vital resource.

Visitors to Hervey Bay can enjoy a range of attractions from an oceanarium, mini-golf, and model railway to the natural attractions of safe golden beaches. You might also like to take advantage of the many tours and cruises operating out of Hervey Bay.

There is also a host of free and inexpensive activities in Hervey Bay.

There is a huge range of sporting activities for visitors who prefer land-based fun. Golf , lawn bowls, go-karting, tennis, horse riding and skating plus many more are all part of the Hervey Bay lifestyle.

If you feel very adventurous why not try skydiving , sea kayaking or for a relaxing day go dolphin watching

Located at the southern tip of Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef , this charming city enjoys fresh clean air, wonderful beaches and parks. Some 240 hectares of coral may be viewed and explored just offshore from the Urangan Harbour.

Hervey Bay’s urban areas stretch from Gataker’s Bay in the north to River Heads in the south-east, encompassing the suburbs of Point Vernon , Pialba , Scarness , Torquay and Urangan . One of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, in the 30 years from 1986 population has grown from 18,960 to 52,073 (2016 census).

The townships of Howard , Torbanlea , Burrum Heads , Dundowran , Craignish , Toogoom , Nikenbah , Aldershot and Booral are also within the Hervey Bay area.

Just to the east of Hervey Bay lies Fraser Island which enjoys World Heritage Listing for its environmental significance and the natural beauty of its beaches, rain forests and lakes .

Brisbane is the international and interstate gateway for mainline air traffic to and from Hervey Bay.

Local airlines operate several daily flights between the two cities, connecting to Australia wide and worldwide air services.

Resource Links To Products We Use And Recommend Get Your Guide, Things To Do. Hema Maps, Of Fraser Island. Booking.com, Hotel Deals. Discover Cars, Car Rental Deals. Tripadvisor, Explore Stay And Play. VisitorsCoverage, Free Insurance Quote. Print Tweet {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","name":"Fraser Coast Tourism And Information","url":"https:\/\/www.discoverherveybay.com\/fraser-coast-tourism-and-information\/","articleBody":"To maximise the potential of Fraser Coast tourism and information of the Bay as a modern commercial centre and popular tourist destination, the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau. \n\n\n\nBoth the City Council and the Bureau are working in close partnership towards the common goal of attracting more people to visit, invest and reside in Hervey Bay and its environs.\n\n\n\nPart of the City Council\u2019s strategy addresses the tasteful and coordinated development of the city heart area at Pialba. The importance upgrading public spaces in retail centres is a recognised priority. \n\n\n\nIt stimulates retail investment, creates a strong visual identity and serves to focus on community cultural activities.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Planning and Development department continues to hold responsibility for the development of the city. Comprehensive plans have been outlined for all works in the area. \n\n\n\nHervey Bay City Council has other major and active departments covering Roads, Environment and Health Protection, Infrastructure and Community Development and Recreation. \n\n\n\nService Units that will provide efficient, cost-effective competitively driven services to Ratepayers are currently being established by Council.\n\n\n\nMedical Practices Fraser Coast\n\n\n\nThe Hervey Bay Hospital is an integral component of the Fraser Coast Health Service District and Queensland Health. It was officially opened in June 1997. The facility is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built acute care hospital, with services aimed at meeting the needs of the local community. \n\n\n\nHervey Bay\u2019s local medical and dental practitioners and specialists also cater comprehensively for the needs of the community. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and alternative therapies are well represented.\n\n\n\nAn Ambulance centre, Women\u2019s Health Centre, Day Respite Centre, Meals on Wheels, home nursing care, care for the aged and support for people with special health conditions are available to residents and visitors.\n\n\n\n\nSt Stephens Hospital\n\n\n\nHervey Bay Hospital\n\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Tourism And Transport\n\n\n\nHervey Bay\u2019s main residential areas are spread across five major suburbs, but it takes no more than 15 minutes to drive from one end to the other. A paved 17-kilometre bicycle track and walkway extends the entire length of the Hervey Bay Esplanade.\n\n\n\nLocal buses serve the suburbs and driving in minimal traffic is scenic and enjoyable. Good roads connect Hervey Bay to all the local outlying towns and villages such as Howard, Toogoom and Torbanlea.\n\n\n\nHoward is a daily stop on Queensland Rail\u2019s \u201cSpirit of Capricorn\u201d passenger service. There is a small Freight Distribution Centre located in Pialba.\n\n\n\n\nHoward Rail Station\n\n\n\nHervey Bay Airport\n\n\n\n\nHervey Bay Airport has a new, modern Terminal building which was opened in 1996. It is serviced daily by five flights to and from Brisbane. Helicopter and fixed-wing charter and joy flights are available. \n\n\n\nPrivate aircraft can be housed in hangars with 24-hour security. Air \/sea search and rescue services that can be called out in emergencies are also based at the Airport.\n\n\n\nThe Urangan Boat Harbour provides casual and permanent berthing and service facilities for yachts and powerboats. Other services include chandlery, slipway and boat building. \n\n\n\nPassenger vessels and barges for passengers and four-wheel drive vehicles to and from Fraser Island use the Urangan Boat Harbour and River Heads.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommunity Clubs And Organisations Around The Fraser Coast\n\n\n\nA number of clubs servicing the business and general community are active in Hervey Bay. They hold regular dinners and social events. An initiative of the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau, the Business Forum is an opportunity for business people to meet and network.\n\n\n\nIt holds monthly functions and concentrates on local issues. There are sports clubs for golf, fishing, football, cricket and other sporting activities.\n\n\n\nThe new unique joint-use academic\/public library is popular and busy. Collections of books, compact discs, video and audio CDs, large print volumes and magazines, provide for adult, young adult and junior members of the community and university personnel.\n\n\n\nThe Library also provides computer and Internet browsing facilities. Art and photographic exhibitions are regularly displayed in the adjoining Regional Art Gallery.\n\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Cultural Centre\n\n\n\nHervey Bay Library\n\n\n\n\nThose interested and involved in art, music, writing, theatre, crafts, gardening, woodwork, gems and minerals will find kindred spirits to share their interests. \n\n\n\nOver 55s who want to enhance and expand their knowledge can attend the University of the Third Age to study foreign languages, local history or a range of interesting subjects.\n\n\n\nHervey Bay Has been a holiday playground since its earliest days \u2013 its calm waters, sandy beaches and great fishing lure for visitors from all over the world. Hervey Bay enjoys a superb climate all year round.\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Tourism has been made popular for its whale watching location and is considered an excellent value holiday destination. Its warm climate and safe swimming beaches are a feature.\n\n\n\nFrom August to mid-October, Humpback Whales returning South to Antarctica stay in the warm waters of the bay. Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island and is considered a fishing paradise.\n\n\n\nIt is a truly remarkable location that draws many visitors each year. The wreak of the Maheno can still be found on the sandy beach of the island.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHervey Bay and K'Gari (Fraser Island) has an excellent range of accommodation to suit all budgets from family hotels to upmarket hotels for those looking for the ultimate experience. We have listed many of the best hotel accommodation for you to choose from.\n\n\n\nFor years it was south-east Queensland\u2019s best-kept secret \u2013 its safe, sheltered waters and sandy beaches proved especially popular with families. Now the secret is out! Holidaymakers choose Hervey Bay for all sorts of reasons.\n\n\n\nSome come for the majestic humpback whales which frolic in the balmy Bay waters from August to October.\n\n\n\nSome are lured by the unique and breathtaking wonder of World Heritage-listed Fraser Island which is just a short ferry or fast cat ride offshore. Then there are the keen fishermen who\u2019ve heard of Hervey Bay\u2019s reputation as an angler\u2019s paradise\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOthers have caught wind of the array of aquatic activities, the tourist attractions, the superb dining, the heritage values and the facilities for tracking down family trees, and the beachfront accommodation from top-class resorts to comfortable caravan parks.\n\n\n\nAnd then there are those who seek out nothing but a patch of sand or a spot by the pool to escape the pressures of the 20th Century. Hervey Bay really is many things to many people, but for all its diversity, it maintains a leisurely pace and unspoiled beauty and charm.\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Educational Facilities\n\n\n\nHervey Bay offers all levels of education and training to prospective students and employers. Facilities range from pre-school and kindergarten to University and cover a wide range of secular and religious primary schools.\n\n\n\nInstruction is available from year one to year twelve, plus a TAFE College and the Wide Bay Campus of the University of Southern Queensland. Special schools for people with disabilities are also available.\n\n\n\nThe City\u2019s educational facilities are first-rate, with the extensive provision of electronic and other modern resources enabling students to communicate with the world.\n\n\n\nHervey Bay is also exploring a city-wide intranet concept for the provision of information to visitors and, ultimately to allow local businesses to network for the benefit of the community as a whole.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTraining facilities for youth and re-training facilities for other client groups are provided through a network of private and public (not-for-profit) establishments.\n\n\n\nThese provide apprenticeships and on-the-job work experience for their clients and administer State and Commonwealth Government training schemes.\n\n\n\nA wide range of associate and diploma courses is offered by the Wide Bay Institute of TAFE of which the Hervey Bay Senior College is a part. Courses are available in business, construction, engineering, tourism and hospitality, social sciences, accounting, or why not try arts.\n\n\n\nA number of short fee-for-service courses are now on offer, tailored to meet business demands for training. Business courses may also be taken as part of a joint TAFE\/University initiative.\n\n\n\nThe University of Southern Queensland opened a new campus in Hervey Bay in 1997, offering degree courses in commerce, education, engineering, arts, business and post-registration nursing.\n\n\n\nThe campus offers open learning facilities (from 1998), modern lecturing facilities, 24-hour access to computer laboratories and a sophisticated joint-use library facility in conjunction with Hervey Bay City Council.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt also offers support to the many hundreds of external USQ students in the Wide Bay region and further afield and is involved in tertiary preparation courses to assist disadvantaged people to enter university, as well as professional development programs for local business.\n\n\n\nThe University of the Third Age (U3A) conducts classes for older students from the new campus on Old Maryborough Road. Your business future and your children\u2019s educational future are assured in Hervey Bay.\n\n\n\nTransport Is No Problem On The Fraser Coast\n\n\n\nThere is easy access to the main highway, electric rail, air services and the main ports of Brisbane and Gladstone for container and bulk exports. \n\n\n\nManufacturing items for the building industry, consumer durables, high-tech componentry, specialised engineering equipment, furniture, leisure products, marine and aviation equipment and services are all identified as industries with local and export markets that may be developed profitably.\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Tourism supports business opportunities abound such as souvenirs incorporating Aboriginal and other local artwork, fashion clothing, packaging, and food (especially small crop farming for niche markets).\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Regional Council and the Fraser Coast Tourism and Development Bureau are focused on encouraging responsible tourism and economic development initiatives. Facilities can be physically and financially packaged to suit the needs of a diversity of businesses.\n\n\n\nThere are substantial opportunities in the further responsible development of Hervey Bay\u2019s natural and human resources for innovative, creative business initiatives leading to lucrative export markets.\n\n\n\nSouth-East Queensland alone provides a potential market of 2.4 million people within a four-hour drive. The mix of skills, professions and experience of a population drawn from many diverse backgrounds and age groups is a tremendous asset in terms of growth potential.\n\n\n\nManufacturing On The Fraser Coast \n\n\n\nHervey Bay\u2019s manufacturing and processing industries are based on the natural resources of the area and on the strong population growth driving the building industry.\n\n\n\nStrong growth in the number of manufacturing and processing enterprises established in Hervey Bay during the past fifteen years is well above the average growth rate for the Wide Bay region. Dominant industries based on natural resources are seafood processing and treated pine timber manufacturing.\n\n\n\nThe seafood industry is the largest employer in Hervey Bay, though this is on a seasonal basis. Seafood is also one of the largest exports, being shipped to overseas markets in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.\n\n\n\nThe local industry is seeking to add more value by further processing and specialist packaging to suit the most discerning markets.\n\n\n\nThe treated pine timber industry is the next largest employer in Hervey Bay. Its raw materials come from extensive pine plantations in the region. There is a steady demand for indoor and outdoor furniture and recreational products.\n\n\n\nBorn on the impetus of Hervey Bay\u2019s rapid population growth, the building industry accounts for some 40 per cent of all manufacturing enterprises in Hervey Bay.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProducts include masonry, wall frames and roof trusses, windows and doors, roofing materials, metal fabrication and similar building components. Food processing plants, steam boilers, stainless steel items, farm machinery and commercial boat building are growing industries.\n\n\n\nThe heavy engineering centres in the Wide Bay are Maryborough, 34 kilometres to the South and Bundaberg, 120 kilometres to the north. \n\n\n\nThese centres manufacture locomotives and railway rolling stock, mining equipment, transport equipment, sawmill equipment, sugar mills, sugar cane harvesting machinery and general farm machinery for local and export markets.\n\n\n\nCurrently, these heavy engineering enterprises import significant components for their major products. By producing such components locally, electricians and the light engineering community could move into a lucrative home market.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThey are also well placed to sub-contract machining and fabrication work for the prime contractors.\n\n\n\nA light aircraft industry based on the innovative design of the Seabird Seeker aircraft is located in Hervey Bay. The Seeker is a real alternative to helicopters for surveillance markets worldwide. \n\n\n\nThis covers police, customs and immigration work, air\/sea search and rescue, and the monitoring of land, water and forest resources.\n\n\n\nThe Seeker can also aid several projects like pipeline and similar route planning and general cartographic applications. Other manufacturing and production enterprises include textiles, printing and publishing and souvenir, trophy and gift lines.\n\n\n\nMany opportunities in building, tourism, media and publishing, engineering and high technology are yet to be exploited. Building products, treatments and decor products for new structures, the after-market and the do-it-yourself market all represent excellent potential.\n\n\n\nOther promising possibilities are specialist engineering in water treatment, sanitation and similar applications for export markets and a broad range of specialist technologies.\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Regional Council\n\n\n\nFew cities are blessed with Hervey Bay\u2019s abundance of natural assets. The Great Sandy Strait, Fraser Island and the beaches, bushland and wetlands make Hervey Bay one of the greenest and most environmentally friendly cities in south-east Queensland. \n\n\n\nLarge numbers of visitors and residents enjoy its natural attractions.\n\n\n\nThe City Council seeks to enrich and enhance these valued assets of coastal scenery, superb beaches, clean environment and relaxed lifestyle which draw so many people to live and invest in the city.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCouncil is determined to forestall any environmental problems that might compromise the unique quality of life. Forward planning seeks to balance growth and protect the environment.\n\n\n\nFraser Coast Regional Council environmental strategies support open space concepts, conservation of waterways and wetlands and water and energy conservation.\n\n\n\nA bikeways and transport strategy is designed to complement these plans. A management plan has been developed for the extensive foreshore reserve and there is an emphasis on the retention of natural scenic appeal.\n\n\n\nUtilities On The Fraser Coast\n\n\n\nAdoption of the latest technology and state of the art systems has ensured that water supply and sewerage facilities have kept pace with Hervey Bay\u2019s rapidly growing population.\n\n\n\nForward planning by Wide Bay Water, a business unit of Hervey Bay City Council, considers land-based effluent re-use and comprehensive and efficient waste management systems. Programmed planning is in place to maintain these high standards in the future.\n\n\n\nThe Council won a National Award for Innovation in Local Government for its Eli Creek effluent irrigation scheme. This project promises major environmental and economic benefits, protecting waters off Fraser Island, enhancing tourism, and local agriculture and reducing infrastructure costs.\n\n\n\nErgon Energy purchases electric power in bulk from the Queensland Electricity Commission. It distributes and services all aspects of this vital resource.\n\n\n\nVisitors to Hervey Bay can enjoy a range of attractions from an oceanarium, mini-golf, and model railway to the natural attractions of safe golden beaches. You might also like to take advantage of the many tours and cruises operating out of Hervey Bay. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThere is also a host of free and inexpensive activities in Hervey Bay.\n\n\n\nThere is a huge range of sporting activities for visitors who prefer land-based fun. Golf, lawn bowls, go-karting, tennis, horse riding and skating plus many more are all part of the Hervey Bay lifestyle. \n\n\n\nIf you feel very adventurous why not try skydiving, sea kayaking or for a relaxing day go dolphin watching\n\n\n\nLocated at the southern tip of Australia\u2019s famous Great Barrier Reef, this charming city enjoys fresh clean air, wonderful beaches and parks. Some 240 hectares of coral may be viewed and explored just offshore from the Urangan Harbour.\n\n\n\nHervey Bay\u2019s urban areas stretch from Gataker\u2019s Bay in the north to River Heads in the south-east, encompassing the suburbs of Point Vernon, Pialba, Scarness, Torquay and Urangan. One of Australia\u2019s fastest-growing regions, in the 30 years from 1986 population has grown from 18,960 to 52,073 (2016 census).\n\n\n\nThe townships of Howard, Torbanlea, Burrum Heads, Dundowran, Craignish, Toogoom, Nikenbah, Aldershot and Booral are also within the Hervey Bay area.\n\n\n\nJust to the east of Hervey Bay lies Fraser Island which enjoys World Heritage Listing for its environmental significance and the natural beauty of its beaches, rain forests and lakes. \n\n\n\nBrisbane is the international and interstate gateway for mainline air traffic to and from Hervey Bay.\n\n\n\nLocal airlines operate several daily flights between the two cities, connecting to Australia wide and worldwide air services.","headline":"Fraser Coast Tourism And Information","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Daniel Clarke","url":"https:\/\/www.discoverherveybay.com\/"},"datePublished":"2019-11-12","mainEntityOfPage":"True","dateModified":"Apr 20, 2022","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.discoverherveybay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Indian-Head-Kgari-Fraser-Island.jpg","height":423,"width":640},"publisher":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Organization","name":"Discover Hervey Bay","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.discoverherveybay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/newlogo-300x150.jpg","height":600,"width":60}}} Daniel Clarke The website is run by myself Daniel Clarke, I’m lucky enough to have been living in Hervey Bay, for 31 years so I’m classed as a local I have seen many changes over this time. Read more about us here More Pages On Hervey Bay

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20 fabulous things to do in Hervey Bay

By Author Toni Broome

Posted on Published: July 10, 2019  - Last updated: June 8, 2023

Hervey Bay is a 3.5-hour drive north of Brisbane. It’s a popular holiday spot for families and an ideal stopover on a road trip up the east coast of Australia. Read on for an extensive list of things to do in Hervey Bay from whale watching to the UNESCO world heritage listed Fraser Island.

We’ve been heading up to Hervey Bay and beyond for over a decade now and have seen its appeal as a destination for visitors grow consistently over that time.  Many Brisbane families have been holidaying there for their annual beach getaway for generations but there is now an increasing appeal to couples and solo travellers.

Video: Things to do in Hervey Bay

Table of Contents

1. Whale Watching

2. fraser island, 3. urangan pier, 4. sunrise on dundowran beach, 5. get out on the bay, 6. botanic gardens, 7. wetside water park, 8. arkarra lagoon, 9. torquay beach & reef, 10.  sunset across the water, 11.  relax on the deck at hervey bay boat club, 12. mingle with locals at the weekend markets, 13. stop off to see nala, 14. birds and wildlife, 15.  lady elliot island, 16.  walk or cycle the esplanade, 17.  coopers boardwalk, 19. explore the marina shops and cafes, 19. community celebrations, 20. bundaberg, where to stay in hervey bay, 20 top things to do in hervey bay.

This is a regular stop for us with family living in the area and it being what we think is one of the best places anywhere in the world to see whales in the wild so close to shore.  This is our list of the 20 best things to do in Hervey Bay.

Possibly the thing Hervey Bay is best known for is the whale watching.  The whales don’t just pass through here on their annual migration to their breeding grounds on the Great Barrier Reef but it’s like a stopover for them, resting, playing and generally putting on quite the display for the appreciative human audience.

The operators have a strict code on how close they take the boats to the animals and how far the animals must be away before they can restart the boat.  We’ve found them so inquisitive in the bay that on a couple of trips we’ve been delayed departing back to the marina because the whales were still busy inspecting us and the boat.

We’ve done a lot of whale watching trips in various places but this is where we will continue to come back to.  In the linked article we share more about our whale watching experiences in Hervey Bay .

Check prices for whale watching.

With a position on the UNESCO world heritage list as the worlds largest sand island Fraser is pretty special.  The 123 km long island provides shelter to the Wide Bay coastline on the mainland and has a host of fun and fascinating things to see and do.  Explore rainforests that sprouting directly from the sand, swim in crystal clear lakes, see unique rainbow-coloured cliffs and climb giant sand dunes.

There are no roads on the island but you can drive your 4-wheel drive on the beach and interior tracks or join a tour.  There are also several places to stay on the island that offer a range of tours and activities and enable you to explore this unique destination once the crowds have left for the day.  The Kingfisher Bay Eco-Resort has won a range of tourism awards and is conveniently located to the ferry, another popular choice is Eurong Beach Resort located on the eastern side of the island and provides great value budget options.

Spending time on the island is highly recommended.  You’re going to need a few days to see it all but even a day tour is highly recommended, on one we did we travelled through the rain forest and along the beaches in 4-wheel drive vehicles, saw wild dingo and huge goanna, swum in the crystal clear lakes and got to see the colourful sand cliffs.

READ MORE:  2 days on Fraser Island with Fraser Explorer Tours

Perhaps the heart of Hervey Bay is the Urangan Pier area.  The historic pier began construction back in 1913 to transport cargo between rail and the deepwater ships.  Originally over 1 km in length it’s now reduced slightly to 868 m and has been fully restored.  It’s a popular spot for fishermen and a stroll in the sea air with great views, we tend to walk it most days when we are in the area.

There’s plenty of covered picnic areas and BBQ’s nearby, an ice cream shop called Sundaes at the Pier across the road is one of my faves and Migaloo’s cafe is a good spot for a caffeine fix after your walk.  If the breeze gets up in the afternoon you can watch kite surfers putting on a great display and on the right tide, you can weave along the sand bars getting a good distance out from the shoreline with barely wet feet.

Sunrise is always a magical time of day especially when you can find a twist in the east coast shoreline that enables you to see it over the water.  Over the years I’ve had the privilege of watching many sunrises over Dundowran beach just north of Hervey Bay over the years and it goes on my list as one of my favourite spots for it.

The beach here is sheltered by Fraser island so it’s calm water and the drop off is very flat which means the tide comes in and out super fast but even on the full tide you can wade out a good distance without going over your knees.  Splashing along in the shallow water as the sun comes up should absolutely rate a spot on your travel itinerary.

If you prefer to be out on the water rather than looking at it then there are plenty of choices along the beachfront in Hervey Bay.  Options include a sailing adventure or exploring the Great Sandy Strait and Fraser Island from a Jetski.

Aquavue cafe in Torque offers a stunning spot to sit with coffee watching the world go by or you can hire a Jetski, kayak, SUP or catamarans right on the beachfront here.  They also run a range of guided Jetski tours including one that heads out to Fraser Island.

Cruises, fishing, whale and dolphin watching trips run out of Boat Harbour Marine at Urangan.

The Hervey Bay botanic gardens are a short walk from the Beach in Urangan and provide a relaxed space to spend a few hours.  Relax by the fountain, explore the orchid house or wander the garden paths.  Plants from across the region are displayed here in a variety of different sections ranging from manicured park grounds to edible bush tucker gardens, an oriental garden and bush tracks down the back with a variety of birds and wildlife making themselves at home.

Our articles on the Hervey Bay botanic garden provides more information on adding this to your itinerary.

The water play park is a whole lot of fun for younger kids with a large water play area that’s free to use.  There’s a nice cafe here for parents to keep watch too and water slides available at an affordable $5 for 10 rides.

This lagoon and wetland area is at Dundowran Beach, just north of Hervey Bay.  The beach itself is beautiful here but the lagoons offer a different area of interest to walk around.  They are popular with Birders for the variety of wildlife and birds that are resident or visitors here.  There’s a cafe on site and it’s a good spot for a walk or to bring a picnic to enjoy by the front lagoon.

Read more:  Visitors guide to Arkarra Lagoons

Torquay Beach is an ideal section of the coast for a family day at the beach.  It’s flat and sandy, ideal for swimming or as a base for water sports.  There are parklands and facilities, across the road are shops and eateries.  Walk the boardwalks, have a picnic or cycle along the promenade.  The jetty here is also a popular spot for fishing.

The Torquay shallow water reef is located off the coast here only a couple of hundred meters offshore.  For confident snorkellers, the best access is directly off the beach at Neilsons Park.  At low tide as little as a metre of water covers the healthy reef which runs towards Gattakers Bay and is home to coral, fish and diverse sea life.

If getting up for sunrise just feels a bit too difficult while on holiday then there are some good options for sunset instead.   And yes you can watch the sunset across the water on the east coast of Australia, there are plenty of bays and outcrops that offer a good vantage point.  The wharf at Urangan is an interesting one facing back towards town but the curve of Gattakers Bay offers a variety of other options for watching the sunset over the water.  It’s also a great spot for a BBQ.

The Boat Club has a fabulous spot on the marina with a huge deck.  You can grab a coffee or drink and sit out watching the activity.  There’s a large restaurant inside too with a nice outlook but you really can’t beat the open air.  The club is open to the public but you’ll be asked to sign in and follow the low-key dress code.

The Pier markets are on twice a week, the Wednesday market is around half the size of the weekend one and the focus is mainly on craft and clothes, the Saturday market adds many more options for fresh local produce including fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, honey, small goods, and olives.

Other stalls offer clothing, leatherware, woodworking, candles, pens, and a variety of other crafts and gifts. Several food trailers offer snack foods and drinks to eat on-site or in the nearby park picnic shelters. There’s a bandstand in the middle of the area with live entertainment and seating is set up around it.

When: Every Wednesday (craft) and Saturday (full market) from 7 am until noon

Where: In the park adjacent to the Urangan Pier

It’s very hard to miss the 22-tonne whale sculpture as you drive through town. It was created by artist Ross Bradbury and represents Nala, a female whale who was first recorded visiting Hervey Bay with her new calf, Simba, back in 1992.

The huge sculpture was crafted from Ironbark and stainless steel and seems sure to get a spot amongst the ‘big things’ circuit around Australia. Make sure you stop to get a photo with the spectacular artwork and symbol of Hervey Bay.

There are 290 species of birds spotted in the area including many migratory waders that come down for the summer.  Hervey Bay has an active bird watching group who will be happy to point interested twitches in the right direction if you’re visiting the area.  If you prefer to do things on your own some great places to start are the botanical gardens, Arkarra lagoon, Gattakers Bay and Burrum Heads.

Daily seaplane tours run out of Hervey Bay to the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort located on a beautiful coral cay on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.  Another option is to make an early start, drive to Bundaberg and take a boat at 7 am from the Bundaberg Port Marina.

You can see turtles all year round out on the reef out here, whales during the migration and many other species of fish and sea life. 

The waterfront walkway and cycle path runs for around 15 kilometres from the boat harbour at Urangan through to Gatakers Bay.  It’s a wide walkway that is mostly flat with sections sheltered by trees and includes many places to stop in the parks and rest stops along the way.

In Queensland, you need to wear a cycle helmet whether cycling on the road or the path, both options are allowed.  Bikes and scooters need to keep left, slow down and sound their bell when they approach people and are required to give way to pedestrians.  If you are on foot avoid blocking the path for others.

It’s a really beautiful walk or ride through here, most of the way you can see the water or catch glimpses through the trees providing areas of shade over the path.

The boardwalk first opened in 2015 and was extended in 2017.  The shaded walk starts from Neilson Park in Torquay and runs through the trees with seats and spots for quiet contemplation of the beachfront along the way.  The walkway was named for Cooper Christensen, a 6-year-old local boy who tragically lost his battle with brain cancer.

While you are here why not extend your day in Torquay with lunch from a local institution.  Maddigans on the Esplanade is directly opposite Neilsons Park and it’s where the locals will tell you to head for the best fish and chips in town.  Portions are generous, good variety and reasonable prices.  Who doesn’t love this easy and iconic Aussie lunch or tea, plus there are the park and beach just across the road to enjoy them with the perfect ambience.

Madigan’s is located at 401 Charlton Esplanade, Hervey Bay, Queensland 4655.

Balaena cafe is a stop you must make when in town whether for coffee and cake or a full meal, it’s a gorgeous position over the water, the food is excellent and the service keeps us coming back.  It’s a fave of ours when we’re in town.

There are a few shops, booking offices for the various tours and a number of restaurants and cafes here.

Find Balaena cafe at 7 Buccaneer Dr, Urangan QLD 4655

Timing your visit to Hervey Bay around the annual festivals and community celebrations is also a great idea, everyone is welcome to join in.  A couple of recommendations are the Blessing of the Fleet in July or the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival held in August.

The blessing of the fleet is a tradition that has been around for centuries in Europe where it’s held to ensure a safe and prosperous season on the water.  July is when the whale tours start and the event involves live music, market stalls, a sail-by of the boats, plenty of food vendors and it ends with a fireworks display.

The Seafood Festival is held in Fisherman’s Park in Urangan and is a celebration of the local Wide Bay seafood, regional wines, beers and great music.

It takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg.  It’s a straightforward drive on the highway most of the way with rest stop options clearly marked.  While well worth a few nights stop here if you have the time you can also easily day trip it from Hervey Bay.   for its own range of things to see and do, not to mention so fabulous foodie surprises that will keep me coming back

If you are heading up to Bundaberg either from Hervey Bay or continuing your drive up the east coast then we have loads of options for things to see and do in our Bundaberg visitors guide .

There are a wide variety of options to stay in Hervey Bay from hotels and apartments to beachfront camping.

Hotels & Apartments

Our pick is The Oaks Resort near the Urangan Pier, the facilities are great and we like the location of this one.  The access to the pier is great, there are a variety of eating options nearby, great coffee and ice cream is only a few steps away, safe swimming and the weekend markets.  It’s a nice walk from here along the waterfront to the marina and cruise boats.

The Mantra Hervey Bay also has a waterfront location along at the Marina with some good views out to Fraser.  You can choose from hotel-style rooms or apartments with a private balcony, again good restaurant and cafe options are right outside the gate and if a whale-watching cruise is on your plan you are well-positioned for that.

There’s an excellent range of campgrounds on or near the waterfront in Hervey Bay.  These are really popular with families, many have been coming up here in the summer for generations.  They are also busy right through the mild Queensland winter with the ‘grey nomads’ who spend several months away from the cold and wet of the southern states through the middle of the year.

On the waterfront is the Fraser Coast Beachfront Tourist Park in Torquay and Pialba plus the new Pier Caravan Park opened in mid-2018 in Urangan.  I’d like to take a look around next time we are up there, the position is a short walk through the park to the pier and having watched it being built their facilities look good.

Interested?  Save these images to Pinterest

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Linda jones

Tuesday 28th of September 2021

Hi movng to Hervey bay in a couple of weeks any tips on the area please like best place to live that doesn't flood sorry am wary about water love the beaches from the posts and pics cheers all

Toni Broome

Thursday 30th of September 2021

There are lagoons and waterways that manage the water runoff well on a year to year basis for most areas but you can also search online for something like 'flood zone maps Hervey Bay' and that will give you the council disaster inundation mapping for an initial indication. If purchasing a house I'd get the assessment for the individual property. Quite a few years ago now there was a storm surge warning with a cyclone, it's like a tsunami but caused by weather conditions rather than seismic shifts, it didn't eventuate but if it ever did it would have a major property impact. At the moment the issue is more low rain levels, we were out at Lenthalls Dam, the water source for the area a month back and it can't have been more than half full and everywhere is looking very dry in town.

I hope you enjoy your shift.

Jared Janke

Wednesday 8th of September 2021

Don't forget you can do a helicopter flight from as cheap as $65. The longer flights take you out over Fraser Island!

That sounds great Jared, that's something we haven't done, I'll look up some more information.

Saturday 19th of June 2021

What about Bamboo Land!!! That place is amazing and is free. It has 15acres of display gardens and an amazing nursery.

Definitely! We haven't been for a couple of years and I believe it's even better now. Will have to add that to our own list to revisit next time we are up there.

Jatin Arora

Wednesday 21st of August 2019

Wonderful pictures Toni! I have not been to Hervey Bay before. I would love to visit this place for sure. Thanks for this post. I will surely add this place to my bucket list. Keep Blogging :)

Sunday 4th of August 2019

Next time you are travelling this way, you are welcome to stay at Mango Lodge at Fraser Coast RV Park at River Heads, just 15 minutes away.

Tuesday 6th of August 2019

Thanks Suzanne, we'd love to see your park. What a great location you have for access to the Fraser Island ferry and the Mary River mouth too. We saw our first Australian humpback dolphins just down the road from you there.

14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Hervey Bay

Written by Karen Hastings Jul 15, 2021 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Nature rules in Hervey Bay. Sitting in the center of the UNESCO-recognized Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve, about a 3.5-hour drive north of Brisbane, this friendly Fraser Coast town is one of Queensland's best places to visit for exhilarating wildlife adventures.

Ever wanted to swim with a whale , or come eye to eye with one from a boat? You can tick it off your bucket list in Hervey Bay — it's the whale watching capital of Australia . Swimming with manta rays? You can do that, too, on a day trip to ravishing Lady Elliott Island. Craving a 4WD safari adventure? Hervey Bay is the gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island (K'Gari) , the largest sand island in the world, home to crystal-clear lakes, lush forests, and fascinating wildlife.

Aquatic activities are another highlight in Hervey Bay. Thanks to its calm waters and sunny, subtropical climate, the area is a wonderland for water sports year-round. Sailing, diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and swimming are all top things to do in Hervey Bay, and the placid, fish-rich waters make it one of the best fishing destinations in Australia .

Traveling with children? Hervey Bay's family-friendly beaches are perfect for paddling with the kids. Plus the region's top places to visit are refreshingly uncrowded compared to other coastal hot spots, so you'll find plenty of space to spread out and enjoy life by the sea. Plan a picnic in the botanical gardens, bike along the waterfront paths, and cool off in the bay-view water park.

If you're interested in history, you won't be disappointed. Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum provides plenty of hands-on activities for the whole family. Also try to save time for a day trip to charming Maryborough , one of Queensland's oldest towns. Here, you can learn about the region's coal, sugar, and timber industries; visit the house where Mary Poppins creator P. L. Travers once lived; and pay your respects at one of the country's most important war memorials.

Whether you're planning a family vacation, eco-adventure, or romantic escape, find inspiration with our list of the top things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland.

1. Come Eye to Eye with Humpback Whales on a Whale Watching Cruise

2. get back to nature on k'gari (fraser island), 3. stroll or bike along the hervey bay esplanade, 4. sail into the sunset, 5. swim, stroll, and paddle along hervey bay's beaches, 6. wander along the urangan pier, 7. book an eco tour with an indigenous butchulla guide, 8. plan a picnic at hervey bay botanical gardens, 9. cool down at wetside water park, 10. step back in time at hervey bay historical village & museum, 11. visit lady elliot island, 12. go fishing, 13. take a day trip to maryborough, 14. dive the ex-hmas tobruk and the roy rufus artificial reef, map of things to do in hervey bay.

In 2019, Hervey Bay became the first place in the world to earn a World Cetacean Alliance designation as a Whale Heritage Site . Once you visit here during whale season, you'll see why.

Sheltered by K'Gari (Fraser Island), the calm, shallow waters off Hervey Bay provide a sanctuary for humpback whales. Instead of just swimming by the area, the whales stop here during their long migration to rest, mingle, and teach their calves, using the bay as a humpback nursery . And lucky visitors get a front row seat to all the action.

Curious and gentle, the whales sometimes approach within inches of the boats, breaching, spy hopping, and "mugging" the vessels (staying near the boats for extended periods of time), thrilling wildlife watchers with their acrobatics and up-close encounters.

Wondering when to go? The best time for whale watching in Hervey Bay is from late July through early November , and the prime months to see the mothers and calves lingering in the bay are August through October.

Around 11 tour operators offer whale watching cruises from Hervey Bay, ranging from three-hour tours to full-day adventures. Most of these are equipped with hydrophones, so you can hear the whales communicating underwater, and some, like Blue Dolphin Marine Tours, offer an in-water platform for close-up experiences.

On the Spirit of Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise , you can choose from a four-hour or 5.5-hour catamaran cruise around the calm waters of Platypus Bay, accompanied by an expert commentary. During your tour, you'll look for humpback whales and other marine life, and glide past the beaches of K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Ever wanted to swim with a whale ? Hervey Bay Dive Centre and Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters offer this exhilarating adventure, usually from mid-July through early September.

If you're not visiting during whale season, no worries. You can take an eco-cruise or sunset cruise to see other marine species. Dugongs, loggerhead and green turtles, orcas, Australian humpback dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and seabirds are other residents you can spot year-round.

Visiting World Heritage-listed K'Gari (Fraser Island) is one of Australia's top outdoor adventures , and it's less than a 50-minute boat ride from Hervey Bay.

What makes this island so special? First of all, it's the largest sand island in the world , stretching for more than 123 kilometers in length.

Second, you can drive for days along the wild, windswept beaches — 75 Mile Beach is like a sandy highway, and it's one of the few places in the world where you can land a plane on the beach. The island's unique landscapes range from striking blue lakes with bleached white shores to giant sand blows, crystal-clear streams, and lush forests.

Adding to all this beauty is a fascinating cast of wildlife. On land, you might spot dingos, wallabies, echidnas, kangaroos, snakes, and a dazzling diversity of birds. Aquatic life is equally diverse — dolphins, dugongs, turtles, whales, stingrays, and sharks all swim these waters.

Outdoor lovers will be in heaven. Besides four-wheel-driving on the beach and looking for wildlife, popular things to do on Fraser Island include fishing and swimming in the lakes and creeks. Plus, you can hike for days through rainforests and along the windswept beaches on the Fraser Island Great Walk .

If you only have time to visit Fraser Island on a day trip, the All-inclusive Fraser Island Day Tour is a great option. It includes a stop at the top attractions: a swim in Lake McKenzie, a float down Eli Creek, driving on 75 Mile Beach, a walk through the rainforest, an optional scenic flight, and more.

But once you spend time on K'Gari, you'll want to stay much longer. Kingfisher Bay Resort and Eurong Beach Resort are the island's two most popular places to stay. Alternatively, you can book a vacation rental or pitch a tent at one of the island's picturesque campsites.

Hervey Bay is full of simple pleasures, and strolling along the Hervey Bay Esplanade is one of them. It's a great way to soak up the friendly vibe and gorgeous sea views of this unpretentious little town.

Stretching for 16 kilometers, the waterfront walking path is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. You can bike, jog, skate, or cruise along here, and stop wherever your heart desires.

To the east, nature puts on a show: white sand stretches to the sparkling blue sea, and lush parks make the perfect picnic spots. Stop at the beach for a refreshing dip. Tone up on the free exercise equipment peppered along the path, or linger and absorb the beauty on one of the strategically placed benches.

On the other side of the esplanade, shops, cafés, and Hervey Bay accommodations make the most of the waterfront views. Feeling peckish? Grab a bite to eat or a coffee at a local café. Enzo's on the Beach offers dreamy bay views, and other favorites include Eat@Dan and Steph's and the funky Cody's Coffee Shack . If you're looking for lunch or dinner, The Bear on the Esplanade serves up hearty Canadian-inspired food.

You can also pop across the road to some of the local shops and galleries. Browse some vibrant local art at Ashleigh Manley Studio Gallery , including original watercolors and hand-pulled silk-screen prints. They make perfect gifts.

And if you're walking around later in the day, make time for a sunset drink at the marina, or pick up some take-away fish and chips from Maddigans Seafood and enjoy a classic Aussie picnic on the beach. If you're looking for things to do in Hervey Bay at night, the esplanade is home to some of the area's top restaurants, though life wraps up fairly early in these parts.

Traveling with bouncy kids? Stop at one of the children's playgrounds in the waterfront parks. Better still, pack their swimmers and make a beeline for the Wetside Water Park .

Calm waters, year-round sunshine, and offshore islands: Hervey Bay offers all the ideal ingredients for cruising bliss. Better still, you don't need to cross a bar here, so you can cruise right out into the ocean safely and easily.

Choose from a variety of vessels, ranging from sailing catamarans to multi-deck cruisers. Most cruises also include refreshments and nibbles, and some include a stop for a swim at Pelican Bank , a sand island surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters.

While you're cruising along with the wind in your hair and a smile on your face, keep a lookout for marine life. Whales, dolphins, dugongs, and seabirds are among the many animals you might spot while you're out on the water.

If you're traveling with that special someone, this is one of the most romantic things to do in Hervey Bay. Cruises depart from the Great Sandy Straits Marina.

Hervey Bay's beaches are perfect for families and nature lovers. Protected by World Heritage listed (K'Gari) Fraser Island, the waters are typically calm, safe, and great for kids to splash around. You can kayak on the calm waters, build sandcastles along the shore, hunt for crabs at low tide, and paddle in the shallows.

Pialba is the first beach you'll probably see when you arrive. Wetside Water Park is located along this stretch, and you'll find plenty of cafés nearby, as well as a lovely waterfront park and playground. Dog owners can also walk their dogs here in designated areas.

Scarness Beach skirts the central area along the Esplanade, steps from popular cafés, shops, and hotels. The popular restaurant, Enzo's on the Beach, sits right on the edge of the sand here.

Urangan beach is home to the iconic pier. The waters here are ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Locals also come here to cast a line, and tourists love to browse the market stalls back from the beach. If you're looking for somewhere to stay nearby, one of Hervey Bay's best hotels, Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa , is just across the road.

Dundowran beach offers a little more solitude. Located just outside Hervey Bay, this long stretch of sand and sea is perfect for crab hunting, fishing, kayaking, beach strolling, and off-leash doggie fun. Nature also rules at Point Vernon Beach . Here, you can potter in the rock pools, look for birds, and snorkel the rocky reefs. Dogs are also allowed off-leash here.

Feel like a refreshing swim? Torquay Beach is a favorite thanks to the lifeguards who patrol here from September through April. You'll also find a boat ramp and beachfront caravan park, as well as plenty of shops and cafés if you want to grab a bite to eat. Shelly Beach is another popular swimming spot, and its shoreline is peppered with thousands of — you guessed it — tiny shells.

Walk out into the ocean without getting wet on the famous Urangan Pier. At almost a kilometer-long, this iconic pier is one of Australia's longest and oldest — it celebrated its centenary in 2017.

Once the departure point for exporting timber, coal, and sugar, Urangan Pier is now a favorite spot to cast a line, go for a stroll, and soak up stunning views of the bay. While you're walking here, keep a lookout for pods of dolphins, stingrays, and schools of fish. You can also capture great photos of Hervey Bay from the end of the pier.

If you time it right, you can visit the Urangan Pier Park Community Markets . Held every Wednesday through Saturday from 7am to 1pm, these little Hervey Bay markets are a great spot to pick up a souvenir. You'll find everything here from local produce, flowers, and fresh-caught fish to arts and crafts, clothing, toys, and jewelry. Live entertainment and children's activities add to all the fun.

Few people are more equipped to guide visitors through this region than the Indigenous Butchulla people who have lived on this land for thousands of years. You can learn all about their way of life and their intimate relationship with the land on a Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tour.

Choose from three different Indigenous tours: The Turtle Discovery Tour takes you on a glass-bottomed boat to spot these gentle creatures swimming in the local waters, and you'll keep a lookout for other animals such as dolphins and dugongs. During the tours, you'll hear Dreamtime stories from your Butchulla guide about the land and the animals, providing a whole new dimension to your wildlife watching.

The Milbi Sunset Cruise adds the thrum of the didgeridoo to the Dreamtime stories, wildlife spotting, and nature experience. And if you prefer to stay on land, the Djinang Cultural Walking Tour takes you on a 90-minute stroll with a Butchulla guide, where you'll learn about sacred and significant sites around town, sample local bush tucker, and hear a creation story shared by your Butchulla guide.

Official site: https://www.herveybayecomarinetours.com.au/

Right in the heart of town, the 26-hectare Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens is a peaceful oasis of lily-topped ponds and lush gardens. It's the perfect place for a picnic.

The garden features plants of the Wide Bay and Sandy Straits regions, with bridges and paths linking wetlands, bushland, rainforest, and formal gardens.

Green thumbs will love exploring the themed gardens. Chill out in the Chinese garden, ogle colorful blooms in the Orchid House, learn about the food sources of the Indigenous Butchulla people at the Bush Tucker garden, or enjoy a walking meditation in the labyrinth.

Kids will love exploring the Nature Garden and looking for turtles in the ponds. Best of all, admission is free.

Address: 62-105 Elizabeth Street, Urangan, Queensland

Fizzing fountains, waterslides, wave machines, whale sculptures, tipping buckets, and splash pads — Wetside has kids covered when it comes to water thrills.

Sitting right on the Esplanade, steps from the beach, this waterfront attraction is the perfect place to take the kids on a hot day. Tiny tots can splash around in the dedicated area for kids under five. Older kids can zoom down the slides. Parents can sit in peace and soak up the beach and bay views while the kids run wild. Friendly lifeguards are on hand to help.

Looking for things to do in Hervey Bay at night with the kids? Check the times for the "Light Show Spectacular" when colored lights illuminate the water fountains, all set to a musical soundtrack.

After all the water thrills, you can enjoy a picnic in the adjacent park or pop into one of the nearby cafés.

This popular tourist attraction is one of the best free things to do with kids in Hervey Bay , although there is a small fee for the two large waterslides. Note, though, that the water park is closed during the colder months (May through September). Check the website before you visit for details.

If you're looking for something to do with the kids on a rainy day or when the water park is closed, Reefworld Aquarium is also worth a visit. Green sea turtles, reef fish, sharks, and crabs are just some of the underwater critters you can see here.

Address: 267 Esplanade, Pialba, Queensland

Official site: https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/wetside-water-park

Are you curious about the history of Hervey Bay? Take a stroll back through time and discover Hervey Bay's humble beginnings at this fascinating historical village.

One of Hervey Bay's hidden gems, this is a wonderful place to visit with the kids. Spread across 1.2 hectares, the 21 buildings host demonstrations on valuable skills from the region's early days. See the sparks fly as a blacksmith makes horseshoes. Learn interesting facts about corn products, and help shell and grind the corn during your visit, or try your hand at rope-making or wood turning and make your own miniature goblet or spinning top.

To make the most of your visit, try to time your day around these interactive demonstrations (usually Sundays from 1-3pm) — especially if you have kids in tow.

After exploring all the exhibits, you can cook up a barbecue on the grounds and purchase a souvenir from the gift shop. The museum is open on the weekends and Queensland school holidays, but check the website before you visit for specific times.

Address: 13 Zephyr Street, Scarness, Queensland

Official site: https://herveybaymuseum.com.au/

Hervey Bay is also a gateway to one of the most unspoiled islands on the Great Barrier Reef: Lady Elliot Island. Short on time? Luckily, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort runs day trips to the island.

Enjoy the island from multiple perspectives on these activity-packed excursions. Scenic flights from Hervey Bay allow you to soak up the beauty of this pristine coral cay from the air. Then, after a tour of the island on arrival, hop aboard the glass-bottomed boat for a snorkeling trip. The fish-filled coral reefs at this southern end of the Great Barrier Reef are among the healthiest on the entire reef. Keep an eye out for turtles and dolphins, and if you time it right (May and June), you can even swim with manta rays.

After your snorkeling adventure, enjoy a buffet lunch at the resort's restaurant. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your pleasure: from basking on the beach to exploring the island's rich birdlife, before hopping aboard your 40-minute return flight to Hervey Bay.

Official site: https://ladyelliot.com.au/day-trip-ex-hervey-bay/

Hervey Bay forms part of the Great Sandy Biosphere , one of the best fishing nurseries in Australia. Species diversity is a major bonus of fishing in Hervey Bay — you'll find both northern and southern species here, as well as a range of habitats, from ocean flats to sheltered bays and fertile rivers. Protection from Fraser Island also means the waters are typically calm, creating fantastic conditions to cast a line.

Sportfishing is a highlight. Target species include blue and black marlin, barramundi, mangrove jacks, longtail tuna, sailfish, snapper, and golden trevally.

Beach fishing is also fantastic. You can head to the eastern shores of K'Gari (Fraser Island) for the annual tailor run from August through October, and the summer months bring dart, whiting, and flathead.

Prefer river fishing? Head to the banks of the beautiful Mary River for barramundi, threadfin salmon, and Australian bass, among other species.

Land-based fishing is also easy. Cast a line off Urangan Pier for flathead, garfish, or whiting, and if you're lucky, you might even hook tuna, trevally, or queenfish.

Choose from a range of charter options. Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing offers half-day, full-day and week-long charters, as well as camping trips on Fraser Island. And if you need to buy fishing gear and tackle, or just want to chat with the friendly locals about the hot fishing spots, head into Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay.

Maryborough makes the perfect complement to a Hervey Bay holiday. This picturesque historic town on the banks of the Mary River is one of Queensland's oldest towns . It was a major industrial center at the turn of the 20th century, building railway rolling stock and naval ships. Today, its rich history seeps from the handsome heritage buildings and the poignant memorials and museums peppered throughout town.

When you arrive, stop by the Maryborough Visitor Information Centre . Housed in the 1908 heritage-listed City Hall, the center dispenses helpful information on the area's top tourist attractions, as well as maps for the walking tour and driving trail.

A must-see Maryborough attraction is the Walk with the ANZACS Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial in Queen's Park, one of the most important war memorials in the country. Maryborough's son, Lieutenant Duncan Chapman, the first ANZAC to come ashore at Gallipoli, is among the many soldiers honored here, and you can learn some of their stories through the moving audio-guide — the sounds of marching boots echo along the trail.

Next, head to the Military Museum . Here, more than 10,000 artifacts tell personal stories of those who fought and died in battles, from the Boer War to Afghanistan. Highlights include the original Victoria Cross medal group for Gallipoli and some of the heart-wrenching letters these heroes wrote home — some of them represent their final words.

Fans of the popular children's book, Mary Poppins will be pleased to learn that Maryborough is the birthplace of the creator, P. L. Travers. Save time to tour the home where she was born, The Story Bank , which has been carefully recreated in the style of that period and transformed into a creative, exhibit-packed museum. All the hands-on activities here keep little hands busy and delight visitors young and old.

While you're wandering around Maryborough, keep an eye out for the 37 colorful art installations on the Maryborough Mural Trail . These bold pops of art tell the story of the town's fascinating history and make great Instagram shots as you tour.

Insider's tip: Free guided walking tours depart at 9am Monday through Saturday from City Hall.

Wreck divers take note: In 2018, the 127-meter former Naval Ship was scuttled, and began its new life as a top Queensland dive site. After just a few years, the wreck already brims with life. Sharks, giant barracudas, turtles, manta rays, Spanish mackerel, gropers, and cod are among the many species you can spot here, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of "Larry" the octopus.

Cruise time to the wreck is about 75 minutes from Hervey Bay. The wreck sits between 10 and 30 meters deep, and dives take place in two 45-minute sessions on the slack tide. Visibility is excellent — around 15 to 25 meters.

Best of all, this dive is suitable for all skill levels. Certified open water divers can access the shallowest part of the wreck, and more advanced divers can explore the whole wreck. Access areas are wider than most battle class military wrecks due to its former purpose as a transport vessel for armored vehicles and tanks.

Divers can also explore the underwater life on nearby Roy Rufus Artificial Reef . Established in 1968, this area offers five wrecks to explore, a quick 10- to 30-minute boat ride from Urangan marina. A highlight here is K'Gari. This 43-meter-long logging shipwreck makes a rewarding night dive, with the chance to spot roosting green and loggerhead turtles, hawksbills, and eagle rays.

Even more wreck dives await at Simpson and Hardie reefs, also easily accessible from Hervey Bay.

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Hervey bay visitor information centre.

Tours Hervey Bay

The Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre (VIC) distinguishes itself through a myriad of unique features, making it an exceptional destination for visitors seeking more than just information, offering key points of difference that set the Hervey Bay Visitor Centre apart. Positioned at the heart of the Hervey Bay region, the VIC enjoys a prime location, easily accessible to both locals and tourists. This central hub serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the diverse attractions in the area. The architectural design of the Hervey Bay VIC is a testament to the region's commitment to aesthetics. Blending modern elements with coastal inspirations, the building creates an inviting ambiance that mirrors the natural beauty of Hervey Bay, including an inspiring mural which spans the length of the centre’s walls showcasing some of the regions most significant attractions and experiences. The Centre showcases a relaxing outdoor space for visitors to enjoy complete with outdoor tables and shade with close proximity to rest room facilities. A unique whale structure made completely from bamboo sits centrally outside the centre, showcasing an amazing visual from the road. The Hervey Bay VIC goes beyond the basics, providing an extensive range of resources, including brochures, maps, and digital displays. Knowledgeable staff members offer personalized recommendations, ensuring visitors receive tailored information to enhance their experience. Setting itself apart as a facilitator of experiences, the VIC collaborates with local tour operators, offering direct bookings for various experiences and accommodation. This one-stop-shop approach simplifies the planning process, ensuring visitors have access to a diverse range of activities. Actively engaging with the local community, the VIC collaborates with businesses, artists, and community groups. This approach showcases the talents and products of the region, providing visitors with an authentic and immersive experience. Prioritizing inclusivity, the Hervey Bay VIC ensures accessibility for all visitors, including those with disabilities. The center is equipped with facilities that cater to diverse needs, reinforcing a commitment to making information and services available to everyone. The Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre stands out through its strategic location, architectural elegance, comprehensive information services, bookings, community engagement, and accessibility services. This multifaceted approach makes the VIC not only a source of information but also a focal point for an enriched and memorable exploration of Hervey Bay and its surroundings.

Description

The Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre stands as a beacon for travellers exploring the stunning landscapes and attractions of Queensland's Fraser Coast. Nestled in the heart of Hervey Bay, this center is more than just an information hub—it's a gateway to a world of experiences, cultural richness, and environmental wonders. Conveniently located in the central hub of Hervey Bay, the Visitor Information Centre serves as a pivotal starting point for tourists and locals alike. The center ensures accessibility, making it the go-to destination for those seeking information on the diverse array of offerings in the region. The architectural design of the Hervey Bay VIC is a testament to the region's commitment to aesthetics. Blending modern elements with coastal inspirations, the building creates an inviting ambiance that mirrors the natural beauty of Hervey Bay, including an inspiring mural which spans the length of the centre’s walls showcasing some of the regions most significant attractions and experiences. The Centre showcases a relaxing outdoor space for visitors to enjoy complete with outdoor tables and shade with close proximity to rest room facilities. A unique whale structure made completely from bamboo sits centrally outside the centre, showcasing an amazing visual from the road. At the core of its offerings, the Hervey Bay VIC provides a wealth of information through an array of resources. Brochures, maps, and digital displays offer visitors a comprehensive understanding of the attractions, activities, and services available. The knowledgeable staff takes the visitor experience to the next level by providing personalized recommendations, ensuring each visitor's journey is tailor-made to their preferences. Recognizing the diverse needs of visitors, the Hervey Bay VIC prioritizes accessibility. The center is equipped with facilities catering to individuals with disabilities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access the wealth of information and services available. The Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre stands out through its strategic location, architectural elegance, comprehensive information services, bookings, community engagement, and accessibility services. This multifaceted approach makes the VIC not only a source of information but also a focal point for an enriched and memorable exploration of Hervey Bay and its surroundings.

Hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm Seven Days a Week, Public Holidays 10.00 am to 4.00pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

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227 Maryborough - Hervey Bay Road, Hervey Bay, Queensland 4655 Australia

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Award winning Visitor Information Centres on the Fraser Coast

Fraser Coast Tourism and Events operates three visitor information centres in Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Hervey Bay Airport and services a network of other centres throughout the region. The visitor centres are staffed seven days a week, grossing nearly $950,000 in tours, merchandise and product sales on behalf of partners and are an increasingly important channel to market.

We work continually to ensure our staff and volunteers understand every aspect of Fraser Coast tourism product.

Our team at the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre have become known as one of the best Visitor Information Centres in Queensland and Australia with the following awards:

• Gold award for Visitor Information Services at the 2016 Queensland Tourism Awards
• Bronze award for Visitor Information Services at the 2016 Australian Tourism Awards
• Bronze award for Visitor Information Services at the Queensland Tourism Awards
• Gold award for Visitor Information Services at the Queensland Tourism awards
• Multiple awards at the Queensland Information Centre Awards (QICA) for areas across customer services, business planning and innovation, tourism excellence and marketing.

Volunteer with us and connect with visitors

Our team is always on the look out for local ambassadors to help provide quality services to tourists and visitors and attend to enquiries with high standards of customer service.  If this sounds like something you'd love to be a part of, you can contact our visitor services manager on 4196 9600.

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Hervey Bay: 227 Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road

Maryborough : 388 Kent Street

Tiaro : Mayne Street

Hervey Bay visitor information centre

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This one-stop information haven can provide you with advice on the things to see, things to do and where to eat in Hervey Bay.

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Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre

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The Hervey Bay VIC is currently participating in a Shop 'n' Stop program to allow RV travellers to stay for up to twenty hours after spending at least $10 dollars and having a receipt stamped at one of the Visitor Information Centres.

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Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre

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• Fraser Coast

Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre can help plan trips around the Fraser Coast region with advice on tours, accommodation, activities and attractions. There are numerous brochures and maps available for tourists to take away.

The friendly staff can organise bookings for some of the attractions around Hervey Bay. There is a selection of souvenirs for the Fraser Coast available there too.

Nearby Brown Signs

Bill Wilkin Reserve – Bill Wilkin Reserve is one of a number of parks along the Hervey Bay foreshore with access to the Torquay Jetty

Black Stump Park – near to one of the best sunset spots in the area, playground, toilets, sheltered picnic table, BBQ

Dayman Park – Dayman Park offers great views from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island, the marina and the Great Sandy Strait, southern end of Hervey Bay Esplanade Trail

ESA Park – ESA Park is a great park away from the hustle and bustle of other Hervey Bay foreshore parks, playground, sheltered picnic tables, free BBQ, toilets

Fraser Island Barge (via River Heads) – The Fraser Island Barge at River Heads is one of two locations to catch a vehicle barge across to Fraser Island

Gatakers Bay – Gatakers Bay is on Point Vernon in Hervey Bay and is the northern end of the Hervey Bay Esplanade Trail, boat ramp and fish cleaning tables

Nielsen Park – Nielsen Park on the Hervey Bay foreshore is by Torquay Beach and the start of Coopers Boardwalk

Otto Merchel Park – Otto Merchel Park is one of a series of parks along the foreshore on the Hervey Bay Esplanade Trail

Quota Park – park with sheltered picnic tables, free BBQs, jetty, and beach with an off-leash dog friendly beach

Ron Beaton Park – Unobstructed view of the bay is a distinct feature of Rob Beaton Park without having bushland between it and the beach

Scarness Park – Scarness Park is on the Hervey Bay foreshore trail, with all the facilities to enjoy the bay’s beautiful views

The Gables – The Gables is a small park on the western side of Point Vernon in Hervey Bay with picnic tables, BBQs and toilets, dog off-leash section and boat ramp

The Pines – The Pines is a foreshore park at Harvey Bay at the western end of the bay. It is different to many of the parks along the Hervey Bay foreshore in that it is rocky with less sand

Nearby Big Things

Big Golf Ball – The Big Golf Ball sits proudly high next to the Hervey Bay Golf Driving Range. It has a driving range, mini golf, pro shop and professional golf lessons

Big Whale – 22-tonne sculpture of Nala the humpback whale breeching, made from red ironbark and stainless steel

Big Fighting Whiting – the big whiting represents the fish Hervey Bay is known for

To Get There

Heading north on Bruce Hwy, take the exit for Maryborough onto Gympie Road and the Fraser Coast Tourist Drive 12. Continue on Gympie Rd for 3.6km to the bridge across the Mary River. After crossing the bridge the road turns into Ferry St. Follow Ferry St for 2km and turn right into Walker St. Follow Walker St for 400m and turn left into John St. Follow John St, which eventually becomes Maryborough-Hervey Bay Rd, for 21km to a roundabout. Continue straight ahead for another 7.7km and after the Big Golf Ball, the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre is on the left.

Heading south on Bruce Hwy, turn left into Gympie St about 2km passed the sign for Bamboo Land. Follow to the end and after crossing the railway line, turn right towards Hervey Bay and following the brown sign for Fraser Island. The road bends to the left becoming Torbanlea-Pialba Rd. Follow Torbanlea-Pialba Rd for 20.5km to a roundabout. Turn left at the roundabout, continue for another 7.7km and after the Big Golf Ball, the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre is on the left.

Hours: Mon-Sum 9am-5pm

Toilets: Flushing Toilets

Wheelchair accessible: Yes

The map is provided by Booking.com . If you can't see accommodation options on the map, search for accommodation on Booking.com .

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Pizza & cocktail lounge in Hervey Bay. One of the best you will find.

Pizza & cocktail lounge in Hervey Bay. One of the best you will find. Fraser Coast

WELL ESTABLISHED & RESPECTED PIZZA & TAPAS COCKTAIL LOUNGE BUSINESS IN HERVEY BAY. BUT THIS IS SO MUCH MORE. FUNCTIONS, PARTIES, GREAT MEETING PLACE, BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED FROM ALL ASPECTS. Friendly & cozy are just some of the aspects of this beautifully presented cocktail lounge. Functions, parties, games room, pool table, helps make this the go to place in Hervey Bay The best social media reviews across all avenues. Over 10000 followers on Facebook & Instagram. Over 350 reviews with an average of 4.8 stars on Facebook & Google. Very little competition Excellent lease in place for a prime location that is hard to come by. Small kitchen that pumps out pizza and tapas tyle food to the guests Beautifully presented with a lovely ambiance & setup. Hours of trade, 5 days per week, Fri & Sat 4pm to 11pm, Sunday 4pm to 8pm, Mondy 4pm to 10pm, closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Potential to open more hours even lunch time. Excellent staff in place Incredible opportunity, book your inspection or make an enquiry and call Vicki Ph 0466 555 249 www.hypebusinessbrokers.com.au

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