Hervey Bay Visitor Information
Hervey Bay - The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Located at the southern tip of Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef, Hervey Bay is a popular resort town and the main access point to World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Hervey Bay has gained international recognition as one of the best locations to view a great variety of marine life especially the majestic humpback whales as they make their yearly migration south, through the region's calm waters, from late July to early November.
Hervey Bay is also a major departure point for access to Fraser Island, there are a variety of escorted tours to Fraser Island departing daily. You have the choice from a large or small group day tours, 2-day safaris and 3 day Island adventures. Self drive packages are also available, either with a flight or barge crossing option. The resorts on Fraser Island also run a variety of tours for their guests.
Hervey Bay is a major access point for Lady Elliot Island, first of the Islands of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Flights operate several times daily from Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, with the opportunity to stay on the small coral cay or just visit for a day.
The Waters of Hervey Bay are protected by Fraser Island and offer visitors a perfect, stinger-free swimming environment ideal for children. Enjoy a variety of water sports including kayaking, yachting, diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. Hervey Bay boasts an aquatic environment featuring coral and artificial reefs all teeming with abundant marine life. Alternatively, simply enjoy a bicycle ride along the picturesque foreshore, visit places such as the Orchid House within the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Marina area or one of the many restaurants and cafes situated along the Esplanade.
Boating and fishing enthusiasts enjoy estuary, beach, jetty, reef and game fishing, Fishing and sailing tours are conducted on a regular basis. There is also the option of chartering your own vessel, yacht or houseboat and exploring these waters at your own pace. year round marine tours are also available.
Hervey Bay is Australia's Whale Watch capital. Between late July and early November humpback whales can be sighted breaching and playfully chasing each other in the warm waters off-shore. The Bay's calm waters provide shelter for these magnificent creatures and their calves as they frolic in Hervey Bay on their migration to Antarctica after giving birth in the waters of northern Queensland. Visitors can choose and aerial tour or take one of the many half, three-quarter of full-day whale watch cruises, which depart from Urangan Boat Harbour daily during the season.
Visitors to Hervey Bay have an array of accommodation, activities and tours to choose from, the choice is endless, so why not visit Hervey Bay, come - stay - and play.
