Hervey Bay is one of Queensland’s best holiday destinations and over a million visitors come to this region each year, including many thousands of international visitors.
Hervey Bay offers the world’s closest humpback whale watching encounters from July to early November with many tour companies offering unique experiences – from high-speed adventures to champagne sunset sails and family-friendly cruises for the more leisurely watchers.
From Hervey Bay it is easy to access World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. One, two and three-day 4WD Guided Fraser Island tours depart daily from Hervey Bay. Visiting Fraser Island begins in Hervey Bay. Barges and ferries provide access to Fraser Island across the Great Sandy Strait.
Lady Elliot Island, a coral atoll located at the southernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef, is a short 40 minute flight from Hervey Bay. Lady Elliot is regarded as one of the best snorkelling and diving locations on the reef and is famous for its pristine waters.
Hervey Bay’s safe, sheltered waters make it perfect for year round swimming, diving, water sports and fishing. More activities include sailing, kayaking, water and jet skiing, skydiving, wind surfing and snorkelling.
Along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cafés, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers, a marina and a 16 kilometre bike/walkway with picturesque views of the bay and Fraser Island.
Hervey Bay is located an easy three and a half hour drive, or a 45 minute flight, north of Brisbane, Queensland’s capital city. At the 2011 Australian Census, Hervey Bay recorded a population of 76,403.