The Bay

The Fraser Coast is full of natural wonders with the World Heritage listed Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The calm protected waters of Hervey Bay offer a natural playground for thousands of majestic Humpback Whales providing the worlds best up close and personal whale encounter experiences. There are a choice of whale watching tours to suit everyone.

The Fraser Coast is not only confined to the coast, with inspiring heritage in Maryborough. There are national parks, native woodlands, heath and dense rainforests and the beautiful Mary River combining the best of the Fraser Coast Hinterland.

The Great Sandy Biosphere, the regions unique and diverse natural attractions are officially recognised in the same class as the Galapagos Islands and Central Amazon.

With eco-experiences and adventure activities to thrill, history, art and culture, fantastic local food and wine and a lifestyle that is the envy of others; the Fraser Coast is the perfect holiday destination offering many experiences for you to enjoy.

Hervey Bays humpback whales are just as friendly as the locals. Thats what makes our whale watching in Hervey Bay so special as it is the only place in the world where whales actually stop and take time to play.

Every year approximately 8,000 humpback whales migrate from Antartica to the Whitsunday Islands to breed, then in late July to early November on their return to the south they bring their calves to Hervey Bay for some time out and play in our warm waters.

Whale watching in Hervey Bay can be taken as a 1/2 or 3/4 day tour or a quick couple of hours and is a truly awesome and often humbling experience that will stay with you forever.

Fraser Island or KGari, meaning paradise with its mirrored lakes, rainforests, mesmerising sand blows and historic icons are well worth the visit.

Fraser Island is world heritage listed and is the largest sand island in the world. It is home to untouched freshwater lakes and creeks, including some of the worlds rarest dune lakes, wetlands, 1,000 year old rainforest trees, all of which grow sand. Seventy Five Mile Beach is a highway complete with a shipwreck and cliffs of coloured sands and is driven on by tour buses and 4wd vechicles.

The rainforests which usually require high rainfall and rich soil to thrive call Fraser Island home. The Island boasts some 350 species of birds, wallabies, possums, echidnas and Australias purest dingoes.

Fresh water turtles, dolphins, dugongs and of course humpback whales during their migration between May and November are some of the wildlife that uses the ocean and waterways of Fraser Island as their homes. Fraser Islands flora and fauna provide a natural attraction for tourists and are rich in Aboriginal history.

Lady Elliot Island is the start of the Great Barrier Reef. It is a 40 minute scenic flight from Hervey Bay and sits just off the tip of Fraser Island.

Lady Elliot Island was formed over 3000 years ago and you can see the marine life on a guided reef walk and then later walk through the reef education centre. The 57 species of birds keep bird watchers impressed on their visits with more than 50,000 birds nesting in summer. Sea turtles including the endangered Loggerhead Turtle also nest on Lady Elliot .This occurs during the summer months from late afternoon through until early morning from November to January. Baby turtle hatchlings run to the ocean from January to April but usually at night.

On the Island there are 19 dive sites with incredible visibility ranging from 15 to 40 metres. Manta Rays are seen amongst the island?s shipwreck in the waters of the island. A fully equipped dive centre on the island caters for all. There are resort dives for beginners to advanced dives for the experienced or you may like to take a dive course.

Hervey Bay offers a variety of cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes along the Esplanade. Restaurants covering all cuisines are here at Hervey Bay from casual to fine dining. Try the famous fresh local seafood or enjoy tapas, asian, indian, italian, french or lunch in one of the many relaxed atmosphere dining venues. There are a number of fine pubs where you can sit and take it all in with friends over a glass or two.

Hervey Bays safe sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Esplanade are shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a marina. Larger shopping centre along with a local cinema, bowling alley and go kart track. In summer there is the Wetside Water Park right on the Esplanade which is hours of fun for the family and there is no entry fee. There are 2 big water slides in town, one with mini golf and the other with a go kart track. The Aquarium and its wonderful staff keep the kids entertained for hours. A trip out on the bay on a glass bottom kayak is among one of the many aquatic activities.

© Copyright 2012 Wotif.com Holdings Limited. ABN 41 093 000 456.