Hervey Bay, QLD
Whether it's for whale spotting or simply lazing about and enjoying the beautiful climate and beaches, Hervey Bay is as popular as ever for good reason.
Where To Stay In Hervey Bay
There’s several good options in the area but our favourite is Discovery Parks Fraser St., particularly when we are travelling with kids. The Sites are large and there’s great Cabin and Glamping options so all types of travellers are well catered for. Kids will have a ball running between the Playground, Jumping Pillow, Games Room and of course the Swimming Pool, and it’s a great place just to go for a stroll around thanks to its tropical garden setting. Hervey Bay is a sprawling town and the park is well located a short walk from the Esplanade where you’ll find the majority of cafes, restaurants and bars and of course, the beach.
Where To Eat & Drink In Hervey Bay
The Esplanade is the go-to spot for all things eating and drinking, so we recommend heading down there when you first arrive and going for a stroll and seeing what takes your fancy. Of course, we’ve got plenty of recommendations though. For dinner out, we can’t go past Odyssey Bistro, a relaxed fine dining spot with a focus on sustainable, quality ingredients sourced from local small-scale producers. Most nights you’ll find us somewhere near the water having a drink and taking in one of the renowned Hervey Bay sunsets and whilst there’s plenty of options of places to do this at, we love 19XO for its extensive list of cocktails. Take away on the beach is always a favourite and we think Santini is the best place in town to grab a pizza from. If you prefer the classic beachside takeaway of Fish and Chips, then head to Maddigans Seafood.
What To Do In Hervey Bay
In this warm and often humid climate you’ll no doubt be feeling like a swim and Torquay Beach is our favourite place to do so thanks to its calm and rip-free waters. Stingers can be present in these waters especially in the Summer months so we encourage you to have a chat to reception at your accommodation or even better, the local Surf Lifesaving Club before you hop into the water. Hervey Bay is a renowned destination for whale watching and we highly recommend visiting during the migration season which runs from July to October. Whilst it is possible, it is highly unlikely you’ll spot whales from the shore so if you don’t have your own boat then your best bet is to join one of the many tours that depart Hervey Bay Marina. One of our favourites is the “Afternoon & Sunset” cruise slot with Whalesong Cruises where you’ll enjoy seeing both these incredible animals and a gorgeous sunset. The team is so confident that you’ll see whales that if you don’t, they’ll keep taking you on trips for no extra cost until you do. A visit to nearby K’Gari (Fraser Island) is a must if you have the time. This is an island of stunning natural beauty that is steeped in history and culture. You can learn about this traditional land of the Butchulla people through a variety of guided tours and cultural experiences. K’gari Explorer Tours is our favourite company, and they have a full day tour that departs from Hervey Bay.
The Essentials
Hervey Bay is a well stocked town with multiple supermarkets and pharmacies. If you need camping gear, there is a great BCF located about 10 minutes drive from the park in the Pialba area.
The Drive To Hervey Bay
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from the three closest capital cities.
From Brisbane - At just over 300 km this is a relatively easy drive but stopping somewhere in the Sunshine Coast for a meal break is always a great option.
From Sydney - You’ll head straight up the coast for 1,214km and definitely be stopping for several nights along the way. Our favourite places to stop on this route are Forster, South West Rocks, Brunswick Heads and Noosa.
From Melbourne - A long but very popular drive, the full distance point to point taking the slightly longer but more scenic coastal route which has several great stops is 2,073km. There’s lots of great options to stop along the way, particularly along the coast between Sydney and Hervey Bay. Before Sydney we’ll often detour and stay in Tathra, then after Sydney it will likely be some combination of Forster, South West Rocks, Brunswick Heads and Noosa.
