What can we say about Hervey Bay? It is the best playground for humpback whales and, therefore, the best place in the world to see whales in their most youthful state. Yes, Hervey Bay is your destination if you want to spot these gigantic cetaceans. It’s as simple as taking a tour and embarking on an exciting adventure.
But there’s more to Hervey Bay than whale watching. From this town you can easily access the world’s largest sand island: K’gari (Fraser Island). But there’s more. Hervey Bay is home to safe, pristine beaches with clear, calm waters. Without a doubt, it’s the ideal place to do water activities such as swimming, diving, or jet skiing.
Hervey Bay is a coastal town on the Fraser Coast of Queensland, located 3 and half hours north of Brisbane by car. Hervey Bay has a total population of 62,071.
Hervey Bay’s main claim to fame is that it is the only place in the world to see humpback whales. Hervey Bay is nestled between the Coral Sea and Fraser Island.
The bay is an ideal stopover for whales during their annual migration to Antarctica. Its warm, calm waters create ideal conditions for the younger whales to grow and strengthen.
In fact, it is quite common to see baby whales with their mothers playing in the waters before embarking on the route to Antarctica.
Being considered the whale watching capital of Australia, the best time to visit Hervey Bay is during the whale season from July to November. The peak time for whale sightings is from August through late September. During the whale watching season, up to 40,000 different whales can be seen.
If you’re not planning on seeing whales but rather doing one of the other activities that Hervey Bay has to offer, then we recommend the months of March and April. During these two months, as well as having more stable weather, accommodation will be cheaper.
If you’re thinking of doing the Queensland Pacific Coast Way, then you’re in luck. As we mentioned in the general guide to the route, the best months to go are from June to September, which coincides with whale season.
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There are no direct flights to Hervey Bay from abroad, you will have to fly to cities with international airports, such as Sydney and Brisbane. From Sydney you can fly to Hervey Bay with a direct flight of 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Brisbane, for example, it takes just 50 minutes.
Another option is to travel to Hervey Bay by car. As mentioned in the previous section, from Brisbane it is 3 and a half hours. From Sunshine Coast it is only 2 and a half hours, and if you start from Cairns, then the drive will be just under 15 hours.
Alternatively, getting to Hervey Bay by bus from Brisbane is easy. The bus to take is the Greyhound (check out the general guide to the Queensland Pacific Coast Way for more info), and the journey takes around 7 hours.
Finally, Hervey Bay is one of the few places on the Queensland Pacific Coast Way that is easily accessible by train. It’s as easy as taking the train to the Howard or Marlborough region and from there, taking a public bus to Hervey Bay.
Nowadays, finding hotels, guesthouses, or restaurants with free Wi-Fi is pretty common. However, there are still those who prefer (or need) to stay connected at all times.
That’s why we’ll show you how to get an eSIM Australia card with internet— now also available with unlimited data.
Of course, the first thing to do in Hervey Bay is whale watching. And why? Because of course…
Hervey Bay is the only place in Australia where you can see whales playing and resting. It’s as simple as choosing one of the many tours that we have listed in the following section and enjoying the views. In our case, a couple of whales swam right under our boat, while others stayed just a few meters away from us.
In fact, if you’re lucky and choose the right tour, you can even swim with them! We weren’t lucky enough to do so, as the whales didn’t stay around for long, but from the moment we got on board, we had our swimsuits, goggles and even a wetsuit half on just in case the opportunity presented itself.
I hope you have better luck than us…
Finally, whale watching in Hervey Bay is a one-of-a-kind experience along the Queensland Pacific Coast Way.
With its platform stretching 830 metres out to sea, this pier is one of the longest in Australia, and a major attraction in Hervey Bay.
The Urangan Pier is especially suitable for those who like fishing, as it is so far out to sea so fishing is much easier than from the shore. Plus, there is the advantage of not having to take a boat, hahaha.
But if, like us, you don’t like fishing, then that’s not a problem either- visiting the Urangan pier is still for you. Just walking along it is an experience in itself- but when you add the feeling of being nearly a kilometer out to sea, it’s something else entirely. Throw in the chance to spot dolphins and stingrays, and it’s easy to see why we recommend a visit.
However, as it is a platform over the sea, there won’t be any shade. Put on sunscreen and avoid the hottest hours! Better yet, during sunset or sunrise to really make the most of it.
Right in the centre of Hervey Bay town lies this historic village which is also a museum. As soon as you set foot in it, you will be transported back in time to the first inhabitants of Hervey Bay.
Learn what their early days were like, what challenges they faced, and how they managed to survive despite the adversities. Highly recommended if you are interested in the history and culture of the places you visit.
A beach-lover’s paradise, and one for the whole family, too. With its 800 metres of soft sandy beach and calm, clear waters, Torquay Beach is the ideal place to swim and cool off.
Plus, this beach is patrolled during Hervey Bay’s peak season so it’s extra safe.
A 14-kilometre route from Urangan Pier in the east, to Gatahers Bay in the west. 14 kilometres that will take you past attractions such as Urangan Pier and beaches perfect for snorkelling. Along the way, you will also find different “outdoor gyms” where you can exercise completely free of charge.
Our recommendation? Stop at a Fish and Chips shop and enjoy a delicious lunch in front of the sea. We can tell you in advance that it will be worth it hehe.
One of the few “all natural” aquariums in the world. And what does this mean? The aquarium uses filtered seawater and the attractions are open to natural sunlight. A unique aquarium that gives you the perfect opportunity to learn about marine life in a sustainable way.
Although we do not recommend using animals as an attraction, it is also possible to swim in the shark pool and see these fearsome marine predators up close.
There are many whale watching tours in Hervey Bay that offer you different possibilities. Why did we choose this one? Because as well as whale watching, it also gives you the option of swimming with them!
That’s right, if you’re lucky and a whale comes close and stays for a while playing with the boat, it can be the unique opportunity to put on your swimsuit, mask and snorkel and jump into the water to swim hehehe. Well, you’ll have to follow a series of guidelines, go with the instructor, and pay an extra price to be able to do it.
So as you can see, this tour combines whale watching with the possibility of swimming with them. Other tours only offer whale watching, while others focus solely on swimming with them. This tour, however, offers the best of both worlds- and it’s our top choice.
Did you know that during sunset marine animals become more active? With this in mind, imagine sailing with the orange views of the sea during sunset along the “Sandy Straits” of the east coast of K ́gari.
Look for dolphins, whales and other mammals along the coast while enjoying a glass of champagne. And if you go during the right days of the month, you can even listen to live music. Who wouldn’t love a plan like that?
Hop aboard this cruise and explore the remote eastern parts of Fraser Island. A day trip departing from Hervey Bay, you can go hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or snorkelling.
Highly recommended if you haven’t been able to explore the east coast of Fraser Island during your stay, or you want to enjoy the island without having to worry about driving or getting covered in sand. By the way, if you go during whale season, you’re sure to spot several on the way to K’gari.
With its glass bottom, this eco-tour cruise takes you around the waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park, giving you the chance to see everything that awaits you. You can see green sea turtles, dolphin cuckoos, reef sharks and, if you’re lucky, even the curious sea cows or Dugongs.
The best eco-tour for marine life in Hervey Bay. Oh, I almost forgot, this tour also offers snorkelling and swimming. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Curious about the culture and original owners of Hervey Bay and K’gari? This tour is for you. Walk alongside a local Butchulla Aboriginal guide who will teach you about the historical and cultural significance of the area’s landscapes. You’ll also learn about bush tucking and discover traditional foods hidden in the bush.
You will also learn how to create traditional medicine with the original ingredients and how to create fire with the materials you find along the way. A truly immersive and cultural experience!
Our budget option is Shady Grave B and B, located just over 4 kilometres from Hervey Bay Historical Village. A budget guesthouse style hostel offering private rooms with en suite bathrooms, an outdoor pool, and free parking.
Especially recommended if you are travelling by car along the Queensland Pacific Coast Way. The hotel also offers free pick-up from Hervey Bay Airport.
If you’re looking for more comfortable and private accommodation, then we recommend Quarterbacks Retreat. A 4-star hotel with villa-style accommodations, you can choose from one- or two-bedroom villas that also include a kitchen, refrigerator, and private patio.
The hotel also includes a swimming pool, sauna and spa to make it easy to relax during your holiday.
And if the hotel above is not enough for you, then treat yourself to a night at Seabatical on Cypress, a luxurious accommodation located in Urangan, just over 1 kilometre from Torquay Beach.
This holiday home offers two bedrooms, a TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and even a dishwasher. All combined with luxurious décor and stunning views. Especially recommended for small groups and families.
Being a popular holiday destination, there are plenty of Holiday Parks, such as Colonial Village Resort and Camping or Torquay Beachfront Tourist Park.
Remember that holiday parks offer a lot of facilities, so camping in them is very convenient. However, they are also more expensive than normal campsites, with the cheapest being 30 Au$ per night.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a cheaper campsite, you will not find it in Hervey Bay, but in the neighbouring town of Maryborough. Cherry Nomad RV Park and Farmstay was our choice during our visit to Hervey Bay. For 20 Au$ per night you can camp with horses and cows as neighbours.
It also offers showers, toilets, and a kitchen. The best part? If you go to the bar during happy hour, you’ll enjoy the cheapest drink we’ve ever bought at a bar. Yes, we absolutely loved this campsite.
As it is not a super busy city, getting around by car is quite easy. In fact, if you are going on a tour, you will not have much trouble finding free parking near the start of it. Taxis and ubers are also available in the city.
Another great option is to rent a bike or a scooter and move around the city completely independently.
Of course, you also have the option of taking public transport to most attractions. Similarly, the Wide Bay Transit Bus line connects the town of Maryborough with Hervey Bay.
As you can see, the main attraction of Hervey Bay is whale watching. For this reason, we recommend that you spend two days in Hervey Bay. The first day to take the whale watching tour (if you feel like it, of course) and the second to explore the other attractions that Hervey Bay has to offer.
We fell in love with Hervey Bay mainly because of the whale watching. We had never seen these giant cetaceans so close to us before. Much to our regret, we were not able to swim with them because the conditions were not right, and this is something that will always remain with us. In fact, we won’t rule out returning to Hervey Bay to try again.
I think it goes without saying what our favourite thing to do in Hervey Bay was perfect for both Thea and I hahaha.
To finish this guide to Hervey Bay, here are a series of recommendations and common- sense tips so that you can make the most of your visit to the whale watching capital of Australia.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel to Hervey Bay.
