The Famous Fraser Coast - the Perfect Aussie Holiday

Hervey Bay, famous as the whale watch capital of the world, is where visitors come from all corners of the globe to watch these majestic creatures as they pass by on their annual migration south. Humpback whales can be seen between late July and early November, and there are dolphin sightings most of the year. The township of Hervey Bay has a relaxed, endless holiday feel to it. The sight of some of the bronzed, leathery looking locals is enough to make most visitors reach for the bottle of 30 plus sunscreen! The water here is a stunning postcard blue, and warm! There are daily boat trips to see the whales and dolphins, and the boat crews are generally well informed, skilled at what they do and keen to share their knowledge of whales, conservation and marine environments with you. Try:

For information about whale watching.

Early mornings are the best time for a beach visit; later in the day in summer it is quite hot. There is a fabulous and well shaded playground on the foreshore which is well worth a visit if you are traveling with a child. Children will also enjoy a visit to the Sea Shell Museum, which boasts over 50,000 shells on permanent display.

Nearby Fraser Island is next on the list of “famous” locations. The World Heritage listed island can be reached by barge from Hervey Bay or Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach. It is famous for dingoes (a sandy colored wild dog), and for being the largest sand island in the world. It's the only place in the world where a rainforest grows in sand.

Check here for more details on the island.

The island was originally inhabited by the Butchulla Aboriginal people, who thrived on the abundant fish, seafood and fruit for around 5,500 years. The island is popular with drivers of recreational vehicles and bushwalkers alike, and there are a range of driving circuits and walking tracks throughout the island. The northern end of the island forms the Great Sandy National Park. Conventional vehicles are not permitted, and off roaders should know what they are doing.

An hour or so's drive north of Hervey Bay is the city of Bundaberg, famous for its rum and ginger beer. There are tours of the distillery available most days. Bundaberg is the closest town to another attraction which is fast becoming almost too famous. Nearby Mon Repos beach is the nesting site for many of Australia’s endangered marine turtles. This place poses the classic eco-tourism dilemma – creating a tourist industry around endangered species promotes understanding and education, but at the same time can threaten their continued survival. At Mon Repos, visitor numbers are limited, and access to the beach is strictly controlled. The rangers take their jobs seriously, and talk about the research and conservation measures in place to save these extraordinary creatures. Nesting turtles and hatchlings can often be seen at night between November and March, but you can be in for a wait of a few hours some evenings. Being wild creatures, the turtles decide when and if they are going to appear, and will certainly not arrive to suit anyone's schedule! Be aware that the drive in and out of Mon Repos is tricky at night, as the roads are unlit and some are dirt.

 

 

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