Hervey Bay, (known as “The Bay” by the locals), is a relatively small town of about 53,000 residents, in the South East corner of Queensland, on the Fraser Coast. From the city of Brisbane, it is a 45 minute plane ride or a three and a half hour car ride north, so it is quite easily accessible.
The area boasts an enviable sub-tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 22-30C in summer and 14-23C in winter, with a low
rainfall. Beautiful one day, perfect the next!
Hervey Bay
The waters of Hervey Bay are protected by Fraser Island and offer visitors a safe swimming environment ideal for children. Enjoy a variety of water sports including kayaking, yachting, diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling, with many other attractions – sailing, fishing, windsurfing, coral viewing, jet-ski, sky-diving, and a famous Shark Show where you can have your photograph taken standing inside the jaws of a shark!
It has about 40 miles of beautiful, safe beaches to enjoy and explore.
It is also the gateway to Fraser Island which is the largest sand island in the world -
a place where you can just relax and unwind.
Lady Elliot Island is within easy reach too – the first coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Whales
Hervey Bay is often referred to as Queensland’s jewel in the crown, and it has some of the best Whale Watching boat tours in the world; in fact, it is known as the Whale Watching Capital of the World, and is one of the most envied and sought after Whale Watching vacation destinations. The whales have become so relaxed in the Bay, it is also referred to as their own “playground“!
Every year from late July to early November, the Humpback Whales arrive in the Bay, making their regular stop in the Bay’s calm waters with their new calves, on their annual migration to Antarctica.
They are a sight to behold with their playful antics of spectacular breaching and tail flapping! They are one of the most active and acrobatic of species.
Whale Breaching
They seem to get great pleasure from entertaining tourists who venture out on the numerous boat trips to get a closer look at them, sometimes coming quite close to the boat. Experienced crew provide knowledgeable commentary and some boats have sound systems so passengers can hear the whales sing.
On these trips out into the Bay, other marine life can sometimes be seen, including large turtles, dugongs (manatee), and of course, the playful dolphins performing their own antics and cheekily following the boats!
It’s the experience of a lifetime, and not one to be missed!
