Hervey Bay to Cape Hillsborough: Up Close With Nature
Capture the best of Queensland’s Coral Sea Coast, known for its iconic for its beautiful beaches, tropical lifestyle and incredible animal life both in and out of the water.
This slightly longer itinerary will take you through both popular and off the beaten track spots that are ideal to explore if you're keen to learn more about nature and get up close and personal with whales, crocodiles, kangaroos and more.
Distance: 3 Stops, 826 km total drive distance
📍 STOP 1: HERVEY BAY
Where to stay in Hervey Bay?
Extensive facilities, a lush tropical setting and a family friendly atmosphere make Discovery Parks Fraser St. the ideal base for exploring this region. Kids will have a ball and be torn between the Playground, Jumping Pillow, Games Room and of course the Swimming Pool. Accommodation is split between Powered Sites with and without Ensuites as well as Glamping and Cabin options. With the beautiful tropical gardens this park is set in, we love staying in the Safari Tents enjoying their expansive verandahs that take advantage of an idyllic location on the banks of the lake that makes its way through the park and remain of course surrounded by lush greenery.
What to do, eat and drink in Hervey Bay?
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. If you’re taking in the sunset from land instead, 19XO is our go to place to enjoy it with a drink in hand. There’s no shortage of great dining options in Hervey Bay so if you’re not taking advantage of the facilities at the park, we recommend going for a stroll along the Esplanade and seeing what takes your fancy. If we had to recommend one place though, it would be Odyssey Bistro.
What's the onward drive?
The drive to Yeppoon runs for roughly five hours, and the beautiful twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770 would be our recommendation for an extra stop along the way.
📍 STOP 2: YEPPOON
Where to stay in Yeppoon?
Our go to Holiday Park here is Poinciana Tourist Park which is located in a great spot near Cooee Bay Beach.. You’ll find Unpowered Sites, Powered Sites and Cabins but we love the recently developed Glamping Tents. They’re tucked away in their own corner of the park and have exclusive access to a uniquely designed private pool which was built out of a shipping container.
What to do, eat and drink in Yeppoon?
For your animal spotting adventures at this stop you’ll need to drive 25 minutes drive inland to Koorana Crocodile Farm. Home to 3000 crocodiles, this expansive property offers guided tours where you’ll see these amazing reptiles up close and personal and learn all about their behaviour as well as have a hands-on photo opportunity with a small croc. Post croc-spotting, make a slight detour on your way back to the park and visit “Yepp Brewing Co. Brewery and Taphouse”. Here you can sample this craft brewery’s beers on tap in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. If you’re heading out to dinner, our recommendation is Vue Restaurant & Wine Bar - if you’re a fan of seafood then make sure you order the Seafood Linguine.
What's the onward drive?
Cape Hillsborough is roughly four and a half hours away and you'll be travelling through plenty of smaller towns. We recommend just heading straight there and if you're wanting more stops on your trip, take them further along.
📍 STOP 3: CAPE HILLSBOROUGH
Where to stay in Cape Hillsborough?
This is a destination that is all about the Holiday Park, and that is Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. Whilst there’s both Unpowered and Powered Sites available, we highly recommend the “Beach Hut” cabins. Whilst they aren’t as modern or luxurious as some of the other cabins that we’ve seen popping up at various parks, they are a one-of-a-kind location sitting amongst shady trees with your own deck overlooking the ocean sitting quite literally metres from the water.
What to do, eat and drink in Cape Hillsborough?
At around sunrise each morning a flock of visitors make their way out to the beach where you’ll see Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Wallabies appear and feed before they make their way back into the shade of the nearby National Park for the remainder of the day. This makes for some iconic photography and more importantly, beautiful memories as you are able to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. Though you’re most likely to find them at sunrise, be sure to chat to the friendly reception staff when you arrive to find out what time they’ve been appearing over recent days to give yourself the best chance to arrive in time to see them. Food and beverage wise, this is a pretty remote spot, so make sure to bring your own provisions and take advantage of the on-site BBQ and Camp Kitchen areas. If you’re not one to cook for yourself, there is a diner open daily from 10am to 2pm that serves up great pizzas, wraps, toasted sandwiches and pies plus some sweet treats. They will also open for dinner during busier times, so be sure to check ahead with reception.
What's the onward drive?
Cape Hillsborough is the end of this itinerary but if you've got the time it's well worth another stop about an hour and a half north at Airlie Beach which is the perfect base to explore the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
