Things to do around the Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay
There are endless Things to do around The Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this region is a paradise for anyone lucky enough to visit or live here. From families to beach lovers and pet owners, there’s accommodation for everyone. Choose from a wide range of options to suit your needs, whether you’re looking for a cosy beachfront retreat or a nature-focused escape.
The weather in Hervey Bay is simply unbeatable. With warm, balmy days year-round, it’s no surprise that the region is a favourite for outdoor activities and relaxation. If you’re searching for a word to sum up the Fraser Coast, it’s spectacular—a place where beauty and adventure await at every turn.
Easy Access to Hervey Bay
The Fraser Coast Regional Council is part of the Wide Bay Burnett Region in south-east Queensland. Hervey Bay is easily accessible: 2.5 hours from the Sunshine Coast (200km) or 3.5 hours from Brisbane (290km)
You can fly directly to Hervey Bay from Brisbane or Sydney. Alternatively, take a Greyhound bus from Brisbane or use Queensland Rail to Maryborough West, followed by a short taxi ride to Hervey Bay.
Explore K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay, K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island) is one of the world’s most unique destinations. It’s the largest sand island globally and a World Heritage-listed site. K’Gari is known for its extraordinary landscapes, from lush rainforests growing on sand to stunning lakes and beaches.
As the only place on Earth where a rainforest grows from a sand base, K’Gari offers a wealth of natural wonders. Whether you’re hiking through its diverse terrain or spotting wildlife in their natural habitat, K’Gari is a must-see gem of the Fraser Coast.
Wellness & Pampering in Hervey Bay
Indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation with a variety of wellness and pampering options across the Fraser Coast. Whether you’re seeking a luxurious spa experience or a holistic beauty treatment, Hervey Bay offers a wide range of beauty services to suit every need.
- Bella Butterfly offers premium beauty treatments and relaxation therapies to help you unwind and feel pampered.
- Hervey Bay Massage and Day Spa provides a full range of massage and day spa services designed to rejuvenate both body and mind.
- Mineral Earth is a peaceful destination, perfect for those seeking spa treatments that focus on mineral-rich therapies.
- Serenity Skin Spa offers a holistic approach to beauty, with services for the skin, body, and mind.
- Skin and Wax Clinic, discover an extensive selection of beauty therapies, including waxing, facials, and skincare.
- Pampered by Amy is a local favorite with excellent reviews. Be sure to book early for a spot!
- Ocean Therapies offers a wide variety of massage styles and techniques, ideal for anyone seeking relaxation or stress relief.
- Ultimate Skin Clinics: provides bespoke beauty therapy services, including advanced medical beauty treatments by a professional local practitioner.
- For expert waxing and beauty treatments, head to My Beauty & Wax, located at 15A Main Street, Pialba, QLD.
- The Natural Touch Body & Skin Treatment Centre (4655/123 Torquay Rd, Scarness, QLD) specializes in body treatments and skin care services.
- Experience personalised care with Seaside Skin and Beauty, a home-based beauty service offering expert treatments.
- Oceanside Hair and Beauty, located at Shop 5/352 Esplanade, Scarness, QLD, provides a full range of hair and beauty treatments.
- Neonails in Pialba (2/31 Main Street) is your go-to destination for manicures, pedicures, and nail care.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing massage, a rejuvenating facial, or a full-body pampering experience, Hervey Bay is home to a wide selection of top-rated wellness and beauty services.
Explore & Discover
Tours and Boat Hire around the Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay
- Escape the crowds at the remote west coast of K’gari. Enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, swimming, and bushwalking. Your package includes free transfers from Hervey Bay, expert guides, lunch, morning/afternoon tea, tube rides, and the chance to see whales (May-Nov) with Tasman Tours and Fraser Explorer Tours.
- Hervey Bay Marine Tours have a wonderful saying…”If I owned heaven and the Great Sandy Strait – I’d rent out heaven and live on the Sandy Strait”. Family-owned business, dedicated to protecting the ocean, sharing their knowledge and learning from the Butchulla indigenous people.
- Boat, kippered or bare boat, and various yacht charters with Sweet Escape Charters, Fraser Island Boat Charters, or Blue Sky Boat Hire at Urangan Marina where you can also hire a party boat.
- Buallum Nyia or Pelican Banks is a fabulous destination for families or romantic couples getaway. The waters are shallow and pristine. Depart the Great Sandy Straits Marina with Pelican Bank Tour
- See hump back whales (May to November with Blue Dolphin Tours; Freedom Whale Watch or Tasman Ventures
- Nearby Lady Elliot Island, a short sail or a scenic flight with Scenic Lady Elliot Day Trip – amazing value for a 7 hour day trip. There’s over 1,200 species of marine life with beautiful coral cay and large populations of giant manta rays and turtles. It is located at the southern tip of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef.
Day Trips and Sightseeing around The Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay
- A treasure trove of beaches run up and down the Fraser Coastline – Rainbow Beach or Tin Can Bay, south of Hervey Bay around a 1.5 hour drive. Head further north to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Bargara and the Coral Coast. Visit Baraga and the Coral Coast
- Visit the historic Urangan Pier for windsurfing, kite surfing, and surfing. Location is the corner of The Esplanade and Pier Streets Hervey Bay QLD
- Visit Champagne Rock Pools and the clear freshwater Lake McKenzie. Don’t leave any rubbish behind as dingoes roam wild on the island. Stay away from them and don’t pat them.
- Point Vernon – the largest rocky promontory on the Fraser Coast, provides beautiful views across the Pacific Ocean. Gatakers Bay, The Gables off the shoreline is a coral reef, ESA Park (between Aplin and Flinders Street) with beach access and tidal rock pools, a playground and park facilities. Point Vernon is a starting point for the Hervey Bay Esplanade trail.
- Wetside Water Park on the foreshore at the junction of Main Street and the Esplanade, Hervey Bay. Brilliant days out with the family, with loads to keep the kids smiling. There’s waterslides, aqua ninja adventure course, totside for under 5s, coffee shop and more. Entry into WetSide is free but there’s a cost for the Waterslides and Aqua Ninja and during QLD school holidays, WetSide is open 7 days from 10am to 5pm. Closed in winter.
Annual Events around The Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay
- Hervey Bay Family Carnival 30 June – 9 July
- Mary Poppins Festival 2 July
- Hervey Bay Whale Festival Blessing of the Fleet 15 July
- Numerous art exhibits and galleries- see retail escapes below
Good Eats
- The Carriers Arms in Maryborough is open 7 days a week. Bistro and classic pub favourites menu. There’s a dedicated kids entertainment room suitable for 3 years to 13 years, including play stations, amusement games, kids’ TV channel and more.
- Eat in the Bay – offers cafe food and New York style sandwiches.
- The Beach House Hotel is open 7 days for lunch and dinner for casual dining.
- Banksia Seafood and Grill – a casual seaside restaurant, this venue offers a great environment for enjoying seafood, making it a good fit for Good Eats.
- Labella– an authentic pizza place, this is a solid choice for simple, comfort food, which fits the Good Eats vibe.
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Tresalsas – a Mexican restaurant that caters to families, with kid-friendly options.
- Salt Cafe – beachfront along the Esplanade at Urangan from 7 am to 2pm daily
- Bayaroma is a busy little café ideally located on the Hervey Bay Esplanade in beautiful Torquay, opposite the best swimming beach in the Bay, the popular train park and great picnic spots on the foreshore.
- Orchid Beach Trading Post and Driftwood Bar – A family run pub situated at beautiful Orchid Beach, K’Gari. It’s a relaxed old style pub with a llaid back atmosphere, fantastic view and the island’s coldest beer on tap.
- The Dock Hervey Bay overlooks the marina and is a cool themed bar and eatery with cocktails menu, an epic beer list, wicked wine list and Tapas style food menu.
- The Bayswater Bar & Grill – With great ocean views and a more casual setting, this is an accessible, enjoyable place for a meal, aligning it with Good Eats.
- @brewviewcafe – A casual café with beautiful views, offering a laid-back environment.
- @Codyscoffeeshack – A cute, beach-view coffee spot, perfect for casual visits.
Foodies
- Acquavue located on Hervey Bays waterfront open for breakfast, lunch and dinner caters for all dietary requirements, including gluten-free and vegan
- Alowishus has a Maryborough store has a full service kitchen offering all day breakfast and lunch. It’s two Bundy locations are Grab n Go.
- Cafe Balaena – breakfast, lunch or dinner and choose from an extensive menu that showcases the freshest and finest ingredients that Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast has to offer – Tourist Terminal, 7 Buccaneer Dr, Urangan QLD.
- Brunch away at Enzos on the Beach
- Bar Soma – great cocktails and Sunday lunch
- The Boat Club bistro serves gastro pub food and seafood in a spacious, child-friendly venue with outdoor seating.
- The Clubhouse with a courtesy bus on Friday and Saturday nights from 10am to 10pm
- Dune Restaurant – at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Travellers Choice 2024. Indulge in an array of sweet, salty and spicy selections from Dune’s curated Asian fusion menu, from decadent dumplings, fragrant curries and sizzling stir-fried meats, to noodle dishes packed with authentic flavours. Paired with fresh produce and a bold beverage list, including world-class wines and island-inspired cocktails.
- Urangan Pier Park Community Markets at 6/8 Pilot St, Urangan QLD, is located adjacent to the Urangan Pier.
- Get your guide to Hervey Bay Markets. – Nikenbah Markets, Maryborough Markets, Koala Markets In Urangan, Torquay Beachside, Howard County Markets and Burrum Heads Markets
Retail Escapes
Unique Shopping and Art Experiences around the Fraser Coast
- Le Petit Chocolatier makes handmade chocolates at 11 Main St Pialba Hervey Bay
- Haighs Jewellers is an extraordinary boutique, family run over 30 years that includes repairs, remodels, renovates and specialises in unique handcrafted designs to client specifications.
- Mary Ryans is a bookstore books, cards and gifts
- Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is home to a variety of workshops (art, pottery), events and activities and even has a seasonal garden.
- Ashleigh Manley Studio Gallery displays the works renowned master of watercolour works for four decades of Australian watercolourist, Ashleigh also produces hand stencilled silk screen prints, etchings, and acrylics on canvas.
- Hervey Bay Art Society offers art education, exhibits and gallery.
- Ellen Foulds Fine Art Photography
- The Hervey Bay Hat Company located at the Urangan Pier, full of the unique and eclectic style of head ware.
Retail Shopping around the Fraser Coast
Stockland Hervey Bay and Bay Plaza Shopping Centres
For those who enjoy familiar retail brands, these popular shopping centers offer a variety of stores to explore, alongside local retailers showcasing regional products.
Looking for a roadtrip to K’Gari? Try our scenic roadtrip from Brisbane to Cairns via K’Gari Island.
If you think the Fraser Coast and Hervey Bay sound like an amazing holiday destination, why not see our Stays with a WOW accommodation.
