📍22 Best Fun Things To Do In Hervey Bay, Queensland. (Tours & Attractions 2024.)

LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HARVEY BAY?

Hervey Bay is one of Queensland’s most beloved coastal gems thanks to its serene beaches, diverse marine life and captivating experiences it offers year-round.

It is famously known as the whale-watching capital of Australia, offering incredible wildlife tours to see the majestic giants of the deep up close and personal. The town is also the gateway to one of the country’s most renowned places, K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island), home to the largest purebred dingo population in the nation and an adventure playground for all sorts of nature lovers.

While those are two of Hervey Bay’s biggest drawcards, it’s not all it has to offer, as I discovered from my six-week trip exploring the Fraser Coast and the Bundaberg region of the state. From beautiful beaches with sheltered waters ideal for people of all ages to frolic in the ocean to being an excellent base for various water-based activities, there are a plethora of fantastic things to do in Hervey Bay that make it the perfect town for relaxing weekend getaways or an action-packed nature trip.

1. Spend Some Time With Majestic Creatures Of The Deep.
Whale Watching Cruise.

One of the best things to do in Hervey Bay is to, undoubtedly, go whale-watching, because while there are plenty of places along Australia’s coastline to do so, nowhere is the activity more synonymous than with this relaxing coastal town. After all, it is the whale-watching capital of the country and the No.#1 reason people visit this picturesque seaside city.

Hop aboard a purpose-built luxury catamaran and spend some time in the presence of the ocean’s largest and most majestic creatures, namely the humpback whale. These breathtaking mammals of the deep are known for their curiosity and love approaching boats, giving passengers the magnificent opportunity to see them extraordinarily close.

But it’s not just above the water on an open-aired deck that you can observe these marine giants, as some vessels, such as the Tasman Venture, uniquely have underwater viewing decks enabling you to also see them at eye level in their most natural state.

For those who want to level up their whale-watching game even more, the Hervey Bay Dive Centre offers a unique swimming-with-whales cruise that allows the most intimate and unforgettable experience with these beautiful giants of the deep.

Note: Whale watching season is typically between June and October. The second half is when baby whales start appearing.

2. Explore The World’s Largest Sand Island.
K’gari (Fraser Island) Explorer 2-Day Tour.

As the launchpad to one of Australia’s premier island destinations, one of Harvey Bay’s best tours involves heading across the pond to K’gari (Fraser Island).

This breathtaking place of virtually untouched wilderness is famously known for two things: it is the world’s biggest sand island and is home to the largest remaining purebred dingo population in Australia.It also has no paved roads (save for a few around the resorts), meaning everything is a beach drive and therefore only for 4WDs.

That’s where the guided tours come in handy. Ride in a comfortable air-conditioned 4WD bus and save the hassle of hiring an off-road vehicle and learning how to effectively drive it on sand while taking in the magnificent sights this beautiful place has to offer, such as the Hammerstone Sandblow, Lake McKenzie, the Champagne Pools, and Lake Wabby.

While there are day tours, many people found it wasn’t enough time to spend on this stunning island. Meanwhile, those who undertook a two-day trip enjoyed the slower pace because it allowed them to revel in K’gari’s spectacular natural beauty for longer.

Tours also offer the option of taking a scenic helicopter flight over the breathtaking island for an additional cost.

3. See The Less Visited Side Of K’gari.
Remote Fraser Island Experience.

If you’re looking for a more immersive and less touristy way to see K’gari, the Remote Fraser Island Experience with Tasman Ventures provides just that. This unique day adventure has more of a focus on water-based activities, taking participants away from the island’s most popular hotspots and allowing them to soak up the pristine atmosphere of the ocean and creeks.

Spot dolphins while cruising across to the island and snorkel with friendly turtles at Wathumba Creek in the morning, then enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at the beaches on the west coast in the afternoon.

Tasman Ventures also has a winter version of this tour that includes whale-watching, so if you’re looking to combine these two quintessential Hervey Bay tours, this is the ultimate day trip for you. If the conditions are right, you can even swim alongside them!

4. Spot Pods Of Dolphins From A Boom-Net.
Fraser Island & Dolphin Sailing Adventure.

If you love spending time on the ocean, another fantastic Hervey Bay tour on offer is the Fraser Island and Dolphin Sailing Adventure, operated by Blue Dolphin Marine Tours.

This exciting activity heads out towards K’gari and offers passengers the unique opportunity to sit semi-submerged in a purpose-built net behind the boat so they can enjoy being in the refreshing waters of the strait while searching the seas for pods of dolphins, making it a fun, unique and engaging experience for the whole family. Keep your eyes peeled for other marine animals, like turtles and dugongs, frolicking around in the water. You may even spot dingos roaming K’gari’s beaches or eagles soaring amongst the clouds.

5. Discover The Great Barrier Reef.
Lady Elliot Island Day Trip From Hervey Bay.

As if all the pristine beaches, majestic whales, pods of curious dolphins and accessibility to K’gari and its wilderness landscapes and wild dingos make it amongst the best coastal destinations in Australia, it is also one of only four Queensland cities, along with Brisbane, Bundaberg and Agnes Water/1770, that provides unforgettable day offers day tours to Lady Elliot Island.

What makes Lady Elliot Island so special is it is the southernmost island of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest marine ecosystem whose reef system stretches from Cairns in Far North Queensland to Bundaberg in the Wide Bay Burnett Region, which means the snorkelling is phenomenal! I went for my birthday a couple of years ago and saw a Hawkesbury turtle and friendly reef shark (both in the video), along with a grouper and plenty of colourful fish. And that was just while snorkelling, which was the highlight of the day, followed by the breathtaking views of the included return flight.

The all-inclusive tour also provides other guided tours and activities (or you can opt to explore the island yourself or do a bit or both), snorkel gear, hot & cold buffet lunch, lockers, towels and use of the facilities, including showers. If I remember correctly, I think the only thing not inclusive is the diving tour. Overall, the Ecoresort staff do an excellent job catering to their day-trip guests, making you feel like overnight guests. Every moment was uniquely magical, and although it’s expensive, I can’t recommend doing this tour enough, which you can read about more in my review.

Visiting this picturesque coastal destination doesn’t have to be expensive. While its many tours are a great way to immerse yourself in this beautiful city’s offerings, there are plenty more free things to do in Hervey Bay to keep costs down and keep you and your gang occupied.

6. Frolick Around In The Ocean.
Various Beaches.

Australia is famous for its beaches, especially Queensland, where its hot summers and mild winters are ideal for year-round swimming. Hervey Bay is no exception, and there is no shortage of excellent places to do so.

Torquay Beach, Scarness Beach and Pialba Beach are the most popular beaches as they exist right off the esplanade in front of town centres and tourist parks. But there are also plenty of quieter ones to discover, such as Urangan Beach, Purple Park and Burrum Beach.

What gives these beaches an edge and makes Hervey Bay an excellent seaside destination, especially for families, is that the waters are known for being crystal clear and calm thanks to K’gari (Fraser Island), protecting it from direct wave impact. That means they are typically safer to splash around in and enjoy than regular ocean-facing beaches.

7. Go Wildlife Watching On A Historical Pier.
Urangan Pier.

The Urangan Pier is one of the best free attractions in Harvey Bay. It’s part of the city’s trifecta of greatness. It’s already famously known as the Whale Watching Capital Of Australia and the gateway to the world’s largest sand island, K’gari (Fraser Island). Adding to that is this humble historical pier, which is significant because, at an extensive 868m in length, it is Queensland’s longest.

It provides scenic views of the crystalline waters and pristine beaches of the mainland and the distance hills of K’gari, making walking along it a fantastic way to enjoy and absorb the atmosphere of this renowned seaside destination.

It’s also an excellent place to spot marine life without heading out on the water. Small fish are frequently seen near the pier, and sometimes turtles. But they disappear really fast, so keep your eyes peeled. Further out, be on the lookout for pods of dolphins. And if you’re in town between June and October, there’s a good chance of seeing whales surface. Don’t forget to look up as sea birds and birds of prey also often hang around.

8. Walk Along The Shoreline.
The Esplanade.

Another fantastic thing to do around Harvey Bay to get a feel for the place is to go for a stroll along the esplanade. It’s a beautiful way to take in the sights of this stunning coastal city.

Spend an hour or two relaxing at the beach, eating at a restaurant, stocking up on goods and grabbing some souvenirs. And if you’re staying at one of the many beachfront accommodation options, you may not even need a car because many are right nearby.

There are also a handful of BBQ and picnic areas just back from the foreshore where you can chow down on something prepared earlier or enjoy cooking up a storm for your gathering with picturesque views overlooking the ocean for a more personal outdoor dining experience.

9. Have Some Fun On The Ocean.
The Great Sandy Strait.

If you enjoy spending time on the ocean and bring along some equipment, there’s no end to the incredible activities you can enjoy on the waters around Hervey Bay.

The calm waters are excellent for sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are also a handful of spots close to the shore where those with snorkel gear can see what’s hiding out below the surface. It’s also a fantastic place to go jet-skiing, parasailing, kneeboarding, windsurfing and all variety of exhilarating water sports.

Additionally, with K’gari only being a stone’s throw away, boat and jet-ski owners and those with a high endurance for paddling or using wind-powered watercraft can venture across to the sandy island and explore some of the harder-to-reach and lesser-visited places of the world-renowned island and increase their chances of spotting some of the famous purebred dingos roaming around the beaches. On route, drop by some of the smaller islands, such as Big Woody Island, and discover places few people have.

10. Soak In The Rivers Serenity.
Mary River.

It’s not just the ocean where you can enjoy water activities. The Mary River empties into the sea just south of Hervey Bay. Boaties and those with kayaks and similar watercraft can access it from Bingham (where the barges for K’gari depart) and enjoy a few hours in the tranquillity of nature to the sounds to the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of eagles soaring.

Keep your eyes peeled on the surface for turtles and jumping fish. And if you’re lucky, you may be able to spot a platypus. They are known for being extremely elusive, so the earlier in the day you go and the quieter you are, the better the chances of seeing them. Look for bullseye or v-shaped ripples that appear to be made by nothing above water. If there are also bubbles amongst them, that’s a good sign it might be these unusual endemic animals. Like many marine animals, they only surface for a split second, so keep those eyeballs peeled.

11. Get Photos With Nala And Learn About The Area’s Ecology.
Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere.

One of the best things to do around Harvey Bay with the family is head the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere. For starters, out the front is Nala, a majestic 8.3m timber and stainless steel sculpture of a beloved humpback whale seen every year swimming past the city since 1992, performing its species’s most iconic manoeuvre, the breach. It is a great spot to get some fun family photos with one of Australia’s iconic “Big Things”.

With their curiosity peaked, the centre has a dedicated kids’ zone with engaging stories and interactive challenges about the Great Sandy Biosphere to keep them entertained. For adults and older kids, get a more in-depth understanding of it through the information panels, interactive displays, and immersive “underwater whale encounters”. There is also a full-sized replica of a humpback skeleton to marvel at. All the exhibitions are interwoven with Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and artworks of the local Butchulla and their connection to Hervey Bay, providing an enlightening insight into the region’s fascinating history, beauty and marine diversity.

12. Wetside Water Park. – Free/$.

One of the best Hervey Bay attractions for young families is, undoubtedly, WetSide Water Park. This fun and engaging aqua adventure playground has fountains, slides, tipping buckets and an adventure course, perfect for kids of various ages and abilities.

Best of all, general admission is free! Only the waterslides and the Aqua Ninja Adventure Course are pay-to-use. But whether you purchase the extras or not, the water park is fantastic for family bonding, whether between parents and children, siblings or maybe even forging connections with new families.

It is also conveniently located right next to the beach, making it easy to swap between playing with the water fountains and clambering over the aqua ropes trail to frolicking in the ocean and building sandcastles, making for an even more enriching experience. It’s also just down the road from the Nala, the Whale, and Fraser Coast Discovery Center, making visiting two quintessential Harvey Bay attractions easy as pie.

13. Enjoy Some Time Away From The Beach.
Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens.

Harvey Bay’s beach scene is excellent. But for those craving spending time in nature away from the seaside, a lovely place to do that nearby is at the Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens. With many beautiful spaces to discover, this well-maintained horticultural heaven is the perfect serene escape from the small city hustle and bustle of the coastal areas.

Enjoy roaming the 26 hectares of established plants from the natural bushlands, rainforests and wetlands of the Wide Bay Burnett and Great Sandy regions while letting the kids run wild in a safe environment and nourishing their curious minds and thirst for knowledge through discovery and finding small animals that call the place home. When their energy is all spent, it’s a fantastic place to unpack a picnic and refuel in a picturesque setting.

14. Go Kangaroo Spotting.
Point Vernon.

It’s not just marine life and birds that are the easiest animals to find at Hervey Bay. Kangaroos are known to hang around Point Vernon, a small peninsula on the city’s western side.

North and Dougan St are some of the most well-known streets to spot them along. However, like with any wild animals, no sighting is guaranteed. But gangs of the adorable marsupials call this place home, and as they are most active during dusk and dawn, that’s the best time to take the kids searching for them. (Just be sure to drive slowly to avoid hitting any that might jump across the road!)

15. Hone Your Biking Skills.
Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails & Skills Park.

Another fantastic family activity to do near Hervey Bay is biking. The Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails and Skills Park in the northernmost part of Vernon State Forest has a network of 11 tracks, from easy trails, perfect for beginner riders to build their confidence to difficult tracks for expert trailblazers to hone their skills. Highly skilled individuals can even try their hand at doing some tricks at the skills park, making this a great place to enjoy thrilling nature-based activities whilst providing an excellent bonding experience between parents and kids of all ages and abilities.

16. Scrub Up On Some Local History.
Hervey Bay Historical Village And Museum. – $.

Those who like delving into the past will love exploring the Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum. Discover the earliest days of the Fraser Coast region with this 1.2-hectare attraction filled with over 21 historical buildings, and over 12,000 artefacts to gain a glimpse into how what life was like back then and its evolution over the preceding decades and centuries.

There are also interactive demonstrations allowing willing participants to see if they have some of the skills settlers required to survive in the earliest days of colonisation before everything became so accessible, making it a great day out for the whole family.

17. Go For A Walk By The Marina.
Urangan Rock Wall.

There are many places in Hervey Bay to walk along the coast and feel the lovely sea breeze in your hair. But somewhere a little different away from the main areas is the Urangan Rock Wall. Located at the end of the Boat Harbour Drive, the Rockwall extends out and around the Fisherman’s Wharf Marina to protect the docked boats from sea. With beautiful luxury boats of all sorts on one side and sweeping views of the ocean on the other, this is a picturesque place to unwind and breathe in the fresh ocean air.

You may also see eagles above or turtles surfacing. Friendly dugongs are also known to make an appearance here as it is plentiful with sea grass, their favourite snack. However, they are shy, but that just makes seeing one of these elusive creatures even more special.

18. Head To The Park With A Lookout.
Matthew Flinders Lookout.

Another lovely place to visit in Hervey Bay is Dayman Park. This beautiful park near the sea has plenty of space to run around, play games, have a picnic or even BBQ. It also has Matthew Flinders Lookout, a picturesque little viewpoint overlooking the bay and across to K’gari (Fraser Island).

19. Maryborough.

An excellent place to enjoy a day trip from Hervey Bay is Maryborough. While people travelling by car have to pass through the country city to get to the coastal escape as it is the main road in and out, it’s well worth stopping by.

Two of its best attractions are the unusual Story Bank, a quirky all-ages museum showing the delightful magic and whimsy of the highly-regarded Australian author P.L. Travers and her globally-renowned novel Mary Poppins and Queens Park, a beautifully manicured natural space with poignant war stories and memorials of local heroes and lovely views overlooking the Mary River. But with so much more to discover, spending a day in Maryborough is the perfect accompaniment to a Hervey Bay trip.

20. Bundaberg.

Another city that makes a fantastic day trip from Hervey Bay is Bundaberg. Known as the Rum Capital of Australia for creating the hard liquor known the world over, visitors can snap get tickets to the Rum Museum and Distillery Experience Tour where they can learn the process that goes into making the beloved alcohol.

But while that’s what Bundaberg is most famous for, that’s far from all it has to offer. It is also one of the best turtle nesting sites on mainland Australia and a must-see during turtle nesting season. There are also plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy along the coast.

And while you’ll need more than a day to include these, Bundaberg is also the gateway to Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island, both spectacular coral cays of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, that have given me some of the best wildlife experiences I’ve ever had, especially the latter, where I camped for a week.

21. Gympie.

A little further away in the other direction lies Gympie, another lovely regional city worth day tripping to. Located on the Bruce Highway, passing through this place is pretty much guaranteed for drivers going between Brisbane and Hervey Bay. But, like Maryborough, it’s more than just somewhere to stop and stretch the legs.

Visitors can learn about the gold rush Gympie was founded on, try their luck at gold digging themselves, hop aboard the famous Mary Rattler, a historic steam train taking passengers up and down the picturesque Mary Valley and enjoy strolling along the scenic Mary River, which is upstream of the same river that empties into the ocean near Hervey Bay as mentioned earlier. It also has elusive platypuses living there, but because they are so shy, early morning strolls are the best time to try and see them.

Gympie is also the gateway to Rainbow Beach, a stunning coastal town surrounded by the Great Sandy National Park and featuring one of the country’s most renowned coastlines, the breathtaking coloured sands. But this is a place you’ll need more than a day to truly appreciate.

22. Burrum Heads, Poona, Tinnanbar & More.

Those looking to get away from the tourist hotspots and discover quiet coastal villages have plenty to explore around Hervey Bay. Burrum Heads is the closest and sits at the mouth of the Burrum River. This provides excellent opportunities to enjoy boating activities. Head upstream and revel in the natural beauty and untouched serenity of the waterway while keeping your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife.

South of Harvey Bay lies a series of small villages with access to the Great Sandy Strait, where folks can head out on the water and enjoy many activities water-based activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling and more when it’s windy in a setting with far few people. Boaties, jetskiiers or paddlers can even head over to K’gari and explore lesser-visited places of the pristine wilderness island.

The road eventually connects to the main road between Gympie and Tin Can Bay with the spectacular Rainbow Beach slightly further afield, making a loop incorporating all these places a fantastic way to see them all. But while some may be able to manage a highlight trip in a day, a couple of days is better. But those who want to explore the Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola Section more in-depth will need a 4WD and a lot more time.

Hervey Bay Map.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Hervey Bay.

• Best Budget: Main Street Motel.
• Best Mid Range: 545 Esplanade.
• Best Luxury: Grand Mercure Allegra Hervey Bay.

With its serene beaches, majestic marine life and accessibility to one of the world’s most famous islands, those looking for a relaxing seaside holiday amongst turtles, dolphins and whales or an adventure-packed weekend on K’gari or the Great Sandy Strait will find no shortage of incredible things to do in Hervey Bay.

If you plan to visit Hervey Bay, consider looking at these other posts.

📍18 Best Things To Do In Maryborough, Queensland. (Must-See Attractions 2024.)

📍Burrum Heads Visitor Guide: 11 Best Things To Do & More! (2024.)

What To Wear Whale Watching For The Most Comfortable Experience.

12 Best & Most Unique Whale Watching Tours In Australia By State. (2024.)