Hervey Bay travel guide

do you like Hervey Bay?

The sprawling seaside town of Hervey Bay, the main gateway to Fraser Island, may lack ‘kerb appeal’, but more than makes up for this in the huge numbers of visitors who flood in to experience two mighty big attractions – Fraser Island and the migrating whales that use the sheltered waters of the bay as a temporary stopover. Considered by many to be the whale-watching capital of the world, Hervey Bay tries hard to stand on its own as a coastal resort and retirement destination, but – despite its low-key attractions, activities and ubiquitous sweep of golden sand – it fails. The concerted attempts to keep people on the mainland for anything more than a day or a night seem futile and, as a result, it has become one of Queensland’s most depressing tourist transit centres.

Hervey Bay is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities and is the main gateway to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Essentially a beachfront conglomerate of north-facing suburbs, from Point Vernon in the east, through Urungan, Torquay, Scarness and Pialba in the west, it is however a popular holiday destination in its own right and in season (July-November) is arguably Australia’s best venue for whalewatching. Almost all major amenities are to be found along the Esplanade from the junction with Main Street in Pialba to Elizabeth Street, Urungan. The main Fraser Island ferry and whale-watching terminal is just south of Dayman Point in Urungan. The Esplanade has a footpath and cycle track, which offers a convenient way to soak up the seaside atmosphere. History buffs will enjoy the city’s Historical Village and Museum I13 Zephyr St, Scarness, open Fri-Sun, small entry fee. It includes over 8000 exhibits and an impressive collection of buildings including a traditional slab hut, a former church and a railway station. Blacksmith and treadle lathe demonstrations are available at weekends. In Pialba is the Regional Gallery (161 Old Maryborough Rd, Tue-Sat 1000-1600), which showcases the work of an increasing number of local artisans and also hosts national touring exhibitions.

The 1.5-km-long Urungan Pier offers a pleasant breezy stroll and good fishing. Keep your eyes open for the aptly named soldier crabs on the beach at low tide....