Discover Queensland’s Most Under-the-radar Holiday Spot

Halfway between Brisbane and Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and neighbouring K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) are quickly turning into one of Queensland’s most vibrant under-the-radar holiday destinations. By day, the region’s relaxed charm is embodied in kids riding bikes in the streets and splashing on the seashore, while at night you can kick back with creative cocktails and well-composed share plates at a lively wine bar. Ready to relax? Here are five of the best things to do in Hervey Bay. 

Watch whale calves learning how to breach

There are plenty of places to whale-watch around Australia but there’s nowhere quite like the humpback playground of Platypus Bay, just north of Hervey Bay, off the coast of K’gari. This sheltered stretch of water is where mamma whales bring their newborns to learn how to feed, play and breach so a whale-watching trip here is packed with aquatic acrobatics. Several operators, including K’gari Salty Safaris and Hervey Bay Whale Watch, also offer the chance to swim with these gentle beauties when the conditions are right.

Try creative cocktails and cuisine

What’s a bar like you doing in a place like this? That might be one of the first questions out-of-towners ask about sultry and cosmopolitan Bar Soma, which sits metres from the beach in the centre of town. The cocktails here lean spicy, fresh and herbaceous (we love the tangy limoncello and sage sour) while the kitchen’s motto is: “If it’s delicious, it’s on the menu.” You can’t visit Soma without trying a fat, sweet Hervey Bay scallop and the grassfed beef with chimichurri is another crowd-pleasing signature.

Greet the sunrise on a picture-perfect pier 

Hervey Bay residents know there’s no better way to greet the morning than on a sunshine-splashed walk along Urangan Pier,  which stretches for almost a kilometre and is one of the longest in Australia. Say hi to local anglers fishing for flathead and whiting (everyone’s always up for a chat around here) and don’t forget to touch the pole at the end of the jetty for luck. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Urangan Pier Markets in the adjacent park is the place to pick up fresh produce and handicrafts.  

Stay at a secluded luxury resort

When you disembark from the ferry that travels from Hervey Bay to K’gari, you’re right on the doorstep of Kingfisher Bay Resort. But this 152-room eco-certified property is designed to blend seamlessly into the dense bushland so you may not even realise it. Guests spend their days exploring the island – from gliding on a Segway along Kingfisher Bay to canoeing down Dundonga Creek – before returning in the afternoon for poolside “cocktail o’clock”. At night, be mesmerised by Illumina, a dazzling light-and-sound show using lasers and projections to celebrate the island’s unique natural beauty.

Explore an island paradise

There are so many ways to experience the natural splendour of K’gari, Australia’s largest sand island. Book short excursions as a guest of Kingfisher Bay Resort. Hire a private guide to discover the island’s most spectacular spots such as Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), the forests of towering satinay trees (they can grow up to 40 metres tall) that cover the isle or the sugar-white sands of 75 Mile Beach. If you prefer to make your own adventure, bring a 4WD over on the ferry to explore at your own pace. “K’gari” means “paradise” in the language of the island’s Traditional Custodians, the Butchulla people, and after a day spent here, you’ll understand why. 

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