Things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland
The best things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland, are Fraser Island tours and whale-watching cruises. Other Hervey Bay attractions include Wetside Water Park at Pialba Beach and Reef World Aquarium.
Hervey Bay is generally seen as a gateway to somewhere better. The ferries to Fraser Island leave from River Heads, just south of this Queensland town. Hervey Bay is often treated as somewhere to stock up on supplies before going on a 4WD tour of the world’s largest sand island.
Things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland: Hervey Bay tours
The most popular activity in Hervey Bay, therefore, is booking on a Fraser Island tour. At the basic level, the K’gari Explorer day tour ticks off most of the island highlights for $239. The itinerary includes a walk through the rainforest along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk from Central Station, plus Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, the Maheno Shipwreck, Eli Creek and the Pinnacles coloured sands.
On a more involved level, the Fraser Dingo 4WD Adventures three day Fraser Island tagalong tour covers much more of the island. With dorm-style accommodation, it’s aimed at backpackers, who get the opportunity to drive the 4WD if they wish. These tours cost from $495.
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.
What to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland: Wetside Water Park & beaches
However, there is more to Hervey Bay than being a tour launchpad. It’s a decent-sized place, with the Hervey Bay population being over 50,000 people. The town has some decent beaches – Pialba, Torquay and Scarness beaches all line up along the seemingly endless Esplanade. Pialba Beach is home to the Wetside Water Park, which has various waterslides and water play areas for kids to burn off energy in. You don’t have to worry about crocodiles in Hervey Bay – it’s too far south.
Back from the beach, the Hervey Bay Historical Village isn’t really up to much. The historic buildings and olde worlde demonstrations thing is done much better in Victoria. Try the Pioneer Settlement in Swan Hill, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool and – especially – Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.
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.
Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens and Reef World Aquarium
The Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens are worth a wander too. They’re not as impressive as the City Botanic Gardens in Brisbane or the Cairns Botanic Gardens, but the Orchid House with 5,500 orchids is a useful string to the bow.
But the main attraction in Hervey Bay is the Reef World Aquarium in Urangan. Again, this is a middling example of the genre. It has, however, the advantage of being an “all-natural all-natural aquarium, using only sand filtered sea water and natural sunlight.” The daily feedings of the turtles, sharks and large reef fish are a highlight.
Nearby Urangan Pier is a good spot for seeing dolphins and whales.
Things to do in Hervey Bay: Whale-watching cruises
The real reason to spend some time in Hervey Bay, however, is whale-watching. Humpback whales migrate along the east coast of Australia between July and October. The whales love the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay, and stop by for a rest with their calves on the way to Antarctica.
This makes Hervey Bay one of the best whale-watching destinations in Australia. Several Hervey Bay whale-watching cruises are available, and the best one to pick depends on personal preference. Tasman Venture’s catamaran has a water level viewing platform and underwater viewing windows, with tours costing from $125. Blue Dolphin Marine Tours caters to smaller groups, and runs full day whale-watching cruises in a sailing vessel for from $170.
Things to do in Hervey Bay, Queensland: Sunset cruises
Outside of the Hervey Bay whale season, the boats aren’t left moored and idle. The Spirit of Hervey Bay, for example, runs dolphin-watching and champagne sunset cruises for the rest of the year.
The Brisbane to Hervey Bay drive should take just under three-and-a-half hours. There are plenty of things to do on the Sunshine Coast on the way. If planning a trip, be aware that the Hervey Bay weather can be hot and wet in summer. If coming from the Sunshine Coast, the Noosa to Hervey Bay drive takes about two hours and 15 minutes.
Travelling north from Hervey Bay
How long is the Hervey Bay to Bundaberg drive?
Fishing at Boondooma Dam in the South Burnett region.
Fish, walk and swim at Lake Awoonga near Gladstone.
Snorkel off the beach on Wilson Island near Gladstone.