11 of the best sun-drenched things to do in Hervey Bay

The best things to do in Hervey Bay blend dazzling coastal beauty with laidback exploration and a thriving cultural scene.

My shoulders instantly drop. Steering into Hervey Bay’s famed Esplanade, I’m struck by how serene and uncluttered the Fraser Coast beach town remains. It’s the whale watching capital of the world these days, yet it’s peak season and I don’t feel the hype as I crawl along the long, flat Pialba Beach.

Over the next few days, I discover that the largest city on the Fraser Coast, with a population of around 65,000, is, thankfully, still filled with the same charms I fell in love with during a childhood school holiday. Spanning chilled out beaches, picture-perfect gardens, underrated artistic talents and proximity to bucket-list island day tripping, the best things to do in Hervey Bay continue to enchant. Here, the best of the best.

In short

If you’ve only got time for one thing to do in Hervey Bay, make it an offshore expedition. This place is brimming with such sensational marine life (not just whales) and sits so close to K’gari that it’d be a shame to miss out.

1. Stroll along the Hervey Bay Esplanade

riding an Aquavue Surrey Bike along the Hervey Bay Esplanade — Hire a Surrey Bike and wander the scenic esplanade. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Wherever you land on the Hervey Bay Esplanade, which stretches roughly 15 kilometres between Point Vernon and Urangan, calm ocean vistas instantly quieten the mind. The views are vast, and the track itself is large enough for walkers and bikes to coexist without drama. Bench seats and picnic tables pop up along the way to encourage an even slower pace, while a playground catering to children with access needs and the Wetside Water Park, a seasonal splash zone, is on hand to delight all ages.

2. Go whale watching

humpback whales swimming in Hervey Bay — See migrating humpback whales off Hervey Bay. (Image: Visit Fraser Coast)

It wouldn’t be a trip to Hervey Bay without some whale watching. In October 2019, this town was named the world’s first Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance – a tribute to Hervey Bay’s commitment to conservation and unwavering protection of the magnificent mammals.

Humpbacks call in to Hervey Bay’s warm and sheltered waters between June and November annually, where many of them rest including new mothers nursing their calves. Take your pick from large cruisers or smaller sailing catamarans, with the more popular tour companies including Blue Dolphin Marine Tours , Salty Safaris and Spirit of Hervey Bay .

Read about the experience Australian Traveller’s Emily Murphy had on board an amazing Hervey Bay Dive Centre tour, which lets you swim alongside whales.

3. Explore the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens

a kids' playground at the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens — Let the kids loose at the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens playground. (Image: Glenn Morris)

Pack a picnic and make for the sprawling Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens , established in 1974. There are multiple spaces to explore, spanning a bush tucker garden, wetlands and rainforest but the standout is its Orchid House, home to more than 5,000 of the delicate beauties. It runs two seasonal displays: one from February to April and another from August to October. Other standouts include a very Zen Chinese-inspired garden, created to honour Hervey Bay’s relationship with its sister city of Leshan in China, and a nature play garden for kids.

4. Be inspired by the Maryborough Mural Project

walking past The Maryborough Mural Project — The street art tells quirky and poignant stories of Maryborough’s colourful past. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

It’s not strictly Hervey Bay, but the Fraser Coast’s other most sizable city, Maryborough (a 25-minute drive away), houses an outdoor gallery that merits a slight detour. The Maryborough Mural Projec t launched in 2015 and now counts 39 works in total. Expect vivid odes to the region’s historical roots in the way of walls splashed with local flora and fauna depictions and even cartoons that chronicle past events. Does it get any better than soaking up creative genius out in the fresh air? I don’t think so.

5. Lose yourself at Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum

While we’re talking all things historical, the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum offers a portal into Hervey Bay’s yesteryear. Wander more than 20 historical buildings and at least 12,000 artefacts to help throw a microscope over the entire region. Sundays are the best days to visit as volunteers dressed in period clothing demonstrate long-forgotten crafts like blacksmithing horseshoes or using a lathe to make a wooden goblet.

6. Kick back at Hervey Bay’s best beaches

a woman heading down the Torquay Beach, Hervey Bay — Get sun-kissed at Torquay Beach. (Image: As We Wander (Luke & Jess)/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Hervey Bay is home to a whopping 13 kilometres of beachfront, accessible via walkways and cycling paths. Water conditions are calm due to offshore protection by K’gari (more on that spectacular gem further below), so it’s a family-friendly hang wherever you drop and flop. Torquay Beach, right in the thick of the city, is one of the best picks, as is Pialba Beach (thank you, free parking) and Urangan Beach, home to one of the longest piers in the country.

7. Comb the weekend markets

the Urangan Pier on Hervey Bay — Go shopping at Urangan Pier on Wednesdays & Saturdays. (Image: Sabrina Lauriston/Tourism and Events Queensland)

BYO reusable shopping bags because there’s a slew of weekend markets to discover both in and around Hervey Bay. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, Urangan’s Pier Park hosts Markets at the Pier which bustles with live music, artists purveying their work, kids’ activities and every imaginable stall temptation.

On the first, third and fifth Sunday of each month, the Nikenbah Markets offers up arts and crafts, fresh produce and sweet treats.

For an always vibey mainstay, don’t miss the Torquay Beachside Markets , too, staged every Saturday in Torquay’s Bill Fraser Park. It’s a magnet for local artisans who always impress while the waterfront setting is plain delightful.

8. Take a day trip to K’gari

a scenic flight from Air Fraser Island — Take in the beauty of K’gari on a scenic flight with Air Fraser Island. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Given Hervey Bay’s proximity to K’gari, consider dropping into the island paradise for a day visit. Operators like K’gari Explorer Tours offer full-day outings to the isle, or you could view its beauty from above with a scenic flight from Air Fraser Island or a chopper thanks to Experience Hervey Bay .

9. Listen to live music by the sand

cocktails at sunset, Enzo’s On the Beach, Hervey Bay — Enzo’s On the Beach is an idyllic spot for sunset drinks. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Even Hervey Bay’s watering holes take in this place’s spectacular surroundings. Enzo’s On the Beach is a restaurant and bar you must experience, and not only for its holiday-mode energy. Live music is staged every Sunday, luring locals and visitors without ever packing the place too much. The vibe is chilled, the cocktails are both creative and classic, and there’s a kids’ menu that spans breakfast and lunch. A stunning spot to watch the sun sink, as doors stay open late (past 5pm) from Thursday to Sunday.

10. Meet the residents at Reefworld Aquarium

Home to a collection of marine creatures, Reefworld Aquarium isn’t just a child-friendly place to fuel their fun. The Hervey Bay institution cares for the little (and not-so-little) animals it homes, providing sand-filtered water and natural sunlight to ensure they thrive. Expect to see tropical fish to reflect every shade of the rainbow plus green sea turtles, larger reef fishes, sharks and more.

11. Urangan Pier

Drop a line or simply wander its staggering length – the Urangan Pier goes for almost one kilometre across Hervey Bay’s crystal-clear waters. If you go the full distance, you’ll be rewarded with schools of fish at the end, or perhaps the odd dolphin or stingray. A quintessential Hervey Bay selfie spot, no matter how many times you stroll it.

Discover the best Hervey Bay accommodation for your stay

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.