Sun, Sand, and an Ocean of Surprises in Hervey Bay

“Hervey Bay sightseeing, isn’t that just the ferry to Fraser Island?”

All too often Hervey Bay is dismissed as little more than a gateway to the famous K’gari (Fraser Island), but the ‘gateway’ to something spectacular can be pretty spectacular in its own right.

Hervey Bay is much more than just a ferry port; it’s an aquamarine jewel with a bay that looks like it’s been ripped out of a brochure for the Bahamas. A 3.5 hour drive north of Brisbane, if you’re here for a checklist of things to do in Hervey Bay, prepare to add a few more.

Okay yes, while it’s not the only great thing in Hervey Bay we conceded that K’gari is indeed a place of raw, unfiltered beauty. Lake McKenzie has water that almost makes your eyes ache with its neon-blue intensity and the Champagne Pools, a family favourite, has surf crashing over volcanic rocks into pools so bubbly you’d swear you’re bathing in Veuve Clicquot.

Then there’s the superstar of K'gari’s 23 impressive shipwrecks, the S.S Maheno. While she’s now little more than bones, you can still make out the immense and handsome shape of the luxury liner. Driven ashore by a cyclone just north of Happy Valley in 1935, what’s left of the ship can be found haunting the tideline of 75 Mile Beach.

Nearby are The Pinnacles, a mass of sand dunes rising up in towers and spires, which are around 700,000 years young. The Butchella People, who lived on K'gari before colonisation, tell the story of a Rainbow Serpent falling to Earth and breaking up to form the multi-coloured rocks.

Spend a morning with K'gari Cultural Tours and learn more about the history of the Butchella People’s World Heritage homeland. Another essential is getting on a 4WD tour, or better yet renting your own if you’ve got the skills...and the nerve.

But it isn’t all sandbashing and dreamy lagoons, a 20 minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay proper, K’gari is a place that demands respect. The ocean currents can be mean, the stingers merciless, and the dingoes are definitely not the neighborhood pups you’re used to - keep a respectful distance.

Pro Tip: If you’re staying on the island, make sure you experience the magic of Illumina K'gari. Only at Kingfisher Bay Resort, the light show is an immersive, after-dark experience that celebrates the island’s ancient landscapes and Indigenous heritage.

Address: Kingfisher Bay Resort, North White Cliffs, Fraser Island 4655

You know how every beach town has a jetty? Here that’s the Urangan Pier, and stretching nearly a kilometre into the sea, it’s a bit more impressive than most. Grab a pile of fish and chips from Migaloo’s and take part in the other thing Hervey Bay is best known for: whale watching.

Some say Hervey Bay has the best in the world, and after you’ve locked eyes with a 40 tonne humpback, you might just be convinced. The season runs from July through November, when humpback whales break their long migration to nurse their calves and generally just have a good time in the calm waters.

Reefworld Aquarium is your next stop. It’s one of the only all-natural aquariums in the world and relies on ocean water pumped directly into its tanks, giving you a glimpse - and in one tank a touch - of local reef fish, sea turtles, and a few reef sharks. Some tours offer the chance to get in the tank alongside the sea life.

On the Esplanade, AquaVue rents stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to explore all the nearby inlets and hidden coves with. Pelican Bank, a sandy tidal bank in the Great Sandy Strait, has kid-friendly calm waters, minimal crowds and, if you’re lucky, a friendly sea turtle or pod of dolphins.

If you’re adventurous, there’s also an ultralight flight experience (basically a motorised hang glider) for big kids that lets you see Hervey Bay from an eagle's perspective. Picture floating over turquoise waters while your heart hammers with excitement. That, my friend, is living.

While water parks can be a nightmare - long lines, screaming kids, overpriced snacks - the WetSide Water Park in Hervey Bay is a pleasant exception. For starters, it’s free to enter. There’s a special TotSide area for toddlers, so the littlies don’t get trampled. The park is typically open on weekends, and most days during Queensland school holidays.

Swap the waves for some greenery at the lush Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. It’s a sprawling 26-hectare escape into native flora, complete with tranquil ponds and a steamy orchid house that reminds you that you’re firmly in the tropics.

Pro Tip: For the best family accommodation in Hervey Bay, book BreakFree Great Sandy Straits. It’s right by the marina and has a lagoon style pool for the kids, with a separate lap pool for grown ups, and is the only absolute waterfront resort in town.

Address: BreakFree Hervey Bay, 17 Buccaneer Drive, Urangan 4655

Surprisingly, Hervey Bay attractions do extend beyond the natural world to a budding cultural beat. The Regional Gallery has an impressive carousel of exhibitions featuring local and national artists. Admission is free, the gallery staff are spectacularly friendly, and you won’t miss the building - it’s the one with the glorious breaching humpback out front that spans over 14 metres flipper to flipper.

For handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the Pier Park Community Markets next to the iconic Urangan Pier typically run every Wednesday and Saturday from 7am to 1pm. Stalls are stacked with jams, ceramics, crafts, and a proper Aussie sausage sizzle.

Over at the Nikenbah Markets on select Sundays, sift through bric-a-brac, secondhand books, and fresh-baked treats. Every Friday from 2:30pm, the Twilight Markets turn the marina into a dreamscape of fairy lights strung between palm trees, live music echoing off the sea, and food stalls dishing out global street bites.

Pro Tip: Spend a morning appreciating nearby town Maryborough’s street art scene where beautiful murals celebrate everything from pop-culture icons to native Aussie wildlife. Download a free map of the mural trail or grab one from the visitor centre.

Address: Maryborough Visitor Information Centre, 388 Kent Street, Maryborough QLD 4650

Now, Hervey Bay doesn’t aspire to be the next foodie capital of the world, but it’s got its own unfussy charm. For coffee that rivals even the grittiest Melbourne laneway, you want family run Bean Beat and their in-house blend. Enzo’s on the Beach does an elevated avo toast with a side of million dollar views. For lunch, The Dock dishes out seafood platters that’ll bring your Instagram feed to life with prawns, oysters, and fresh fish all piled high.

To indulge in some of the sweetest scallops that Hervey Bay’s waters produce, book a dinner at Odyssey Bistro, who douse them in confit garlic and housemade herb butter. If you’re after a bit of sophistication with your tipple, 19XO Canapés and Cocktails is a snug spot serious about cocktails.

Pro Tip: Don’t leave Hervey Bay without trying a seafood enchilada at Tres Salsas Mexican Cantina. Hervey Bay scallops and prawns wrapped in soft corn tortillas and oven baked with tomatillo and cheese. Delicioso.

Address: Tres Salsas, Shop 13, 416 The Esplanade, Torquay 4655

Yes, come for the whales. Yes, K’gari deserves every bit of your awe. But stay for the layered experiences, the small museums, the sunset strolls, the lazy afternoons making core memories with the family.