Fraser Coast Tourist Information
Fraser Coast Tourist Information
Hervey Bay, Whale watching capital of the world
Hervey Bay os one of Australia's best holiday destinations with a reputation as a safe and relaxing aquatic playground. In recent years, the region has become famous as the playground of the majestic Humpback Whales on their return to the Antarctic. From August to October, the whales frolic in the warm sheltered waters of the bay, putting on a spectacular display for their admirers. Celebrating the return of the Humpback Whales each year, Hervey Bay stages a Whale Festival for two weeks in August. An aquatic carnival, including an illuminated procession of floats, is the highlight of this fun-filled fortnight.
But there is much more to Hervey Bay with its many attractions centering around its safe and sheltered waters and golden beaches. Boating and fishing enthusiasts will find estuary, beach, jetty or reef fishing and a variety of water sports including diving, water and jet skiing, wind surfing and snorkelling. Fishing from one of Hervey Bay's landmarks, the Urangan Pier, is a popular pastime and the glass bottom boats providing great viewing of the coral reefs.
Dayman Point offers sweeping views of the Great Sandy Strait, family picnic facilities and memorials to early explorers Matthew Flinders and Joseph Dayman and to the men of z force who trained on Fraser Island for a daring World War II operation in Singapore. The Korrawinga Monument, dedicated to the Aboriginal people of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, is a symbol of hope for the future unity of all peoples of the area.
To experience the early settlement of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, visit the Hervey Bay Historical Museum at Pialba or hire a boat and explore Woody Island National Park, halfway between Urangan and Fraser Island, with its ruined lighthouse and graves.
Protected by Fraser Island, Hervey Bay is an ideal spot for diving with coral reefs and sunken ships teeming with fish life providing lots of interest. For non-divers, Neptune's Coral Cave Aquarium or Vic Hislop's Shark Show, both at Urangan, offer different perspectives on the reef and its fascinating marine life. Natureworld, on the outskirts of Hervey Bay, is a 40 hectare haven for Australian wildlife including crocodiles and their hatchlings. The Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine gardens offer rare insights into survival techniques practised for centuries and a night-time spotlighting tour, rounded off with billy tea and damper around the campfire, allows visitors to view distinctive nocturnal animals at their best.
An encounter with humpback whales on the waters of Hervey Bay is unforgettable. These majesic creatures have made Hervey Bay a regular stop on their annual migration to Antarctica after giving birth in the warm waters of north Queensland. Mothers and calves are now relaxed and at home with the whale watching boats which carefully approach their playground, and the almost-guaranteed sightings are counted as an experience of a lifetime . It is an experience for which thousands of people flock to the region from early August to mid-October each year.
The humpbacks have made Hervey Bay their own and, as one of the most active and acrobatic of species, they provide an awesome sight with their antics, including spectacular displays of breaching, tail flapping and pectoral slapping. As the years go by, the whales seem increasingly comfortable with the cruise vessels and often come so close you can almost reach out and touch them. Of course, tour operators adhere strictly to Department of Environment guidelines designed to protect the whales and keep them coming back to Hervey Bay year after year.
Other marine life which can be sighted during a day's whale watching include dolphins, turtles and occasionally dugong. About 20 operators offer whale watching tours, all vessels leaving from the Urangan Boat Harbour. Some vessels have sound systems to enable passengers to hear the whales sing and glass viewing panels below deck. Some also offer educational videos on the journey to the Hervey Bay Marine Park and all have experienced crew to talk knowledgeably about these gentle creatures.
