Hervey Bay weather: When is the best time to visit Fraser Island?

The Hervey Bay weather can be hot and wet in summer. So the best time to visit Fraser Island is September, where rainfall is low and temperatures are pleasantly warm.

Fraser Island is justifiably one of Australia’s great tourist attractions, but the weather can have a big impact on your stay there. Fraser Island camping in heavy rain isn’t as pleasant as when there’s warm sunshine and a light breeze.

For a decent idea of what the weather will be like on Fraser Island, we can look at the weather in Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is home to top drawer whale watching cruises from Urangan harbour, but it’s also one of two gateways to Fraser Island. The River Heads ferry departs from just south of Hervey Bay, while the Inskip Point barge goes from Rainbow Beach at the south side of Fraser Island.

Pick the best K’gari/ Fraser Island tour for you

HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE: One day coach tour from Hervey Bay.
FROM THE SOUTH: One day 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach.
PACK MORE IN: Two day tour, staying at K’gari Beach Resort.
BEACHY: Boat cruise with west coast beach stops.
BACKPACKERS: Three day, drive-yourself camping adventure from Hervey Bay. Or similar from Rainbow Beach.
MORE LUXURIOUS: Three day adventure, staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Fraser Island 75 Mile Beach — If you want to drive on Fraser Island, the main road is 75 Mile Beach. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

Hervey Bay weather stats

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Hervey Bay weather is at its hottest in January. The mean daily maximum temperature in January is 30.3°C, and February is just a tenth of a degree cooler. From October (26.6°C) to April (27.1°C), the mean daily maximum temperatures in Hervey Bay are pretty toasty.

It never really gets cold during the day on Fraser Island. The Hervey Bay weather is coolest in July, with a mean daily maximum temperature of 21.9°C. It can get chillier at night, however, with a mean daily minimum temperature of just 10°C.

Book these 8 Hervey Bay experiences now

1. Great Sandy Strait wildlife cruise – with a great chance of spotting dingos or dugongs.
2. All-inclusive Fraser Island day tour – with pick-up at your accommodation.
3. Fraser Island two day tour – see much more.
4. Fun cruise – get close to dolphins and turtles while lounging in the boom netting.
5. Sunset cruise.
6. Dolphin sailing adventure.
7. Whale-watching – this is arguably the best place in Australia to spot humpback whales.
8. Fraser Island west coast cruise – with lunch & kayaking.

Hervey Bay weather: Fraser Island rainfall

When working out the best time to visit Fraser Island, rainfall is arguably more important than temperature, however. The rainiest month in Hervey Bay is March, with a mean rainfall of 137.3mm and 11 rainy days. December, January and February are fairly close on rainfall.

The combination of high temperatures and higher rainfall mean the Hervey Bay weather isn’t at its best in summer.

The best time to visit Fraser Island

Rainfall is considerably lower for the rest of the year, but September has the lowest with 36.4mm. The Hervey Bay weather in September makes it the best time to visit Fraser Island. Mean daily maximum temperatures of 25°C and minimums of 14°C, combined with the low rainfall, makes September a magic month on the Fraser Coast.

Australian weather in other destinations