A place that is very close to my heart, and within a comfortable driving distance from where I live, is the amazing Fraser Coast in Queensland. We have spent many holidays exploring the Fraser Coast, either camping, staying in a holiday home or in our caravan. My husband has also been on numerous ‘men only’ fishing trips to Fraser Island over the years. If you don’t know much about this area here is the lowdown.
The Fraser Coast is approximately 286 kilometres north of Brisbane in Queensland, stretching from Hervey Bay to the north, and to Rainbow Beach in the south. It takes in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Fraser Island and the coastal villages of Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.
Fraser Island
Hervey Bay is 286 kilometres north of Brisbane and is probably best known as the ‘Whale Watching Capital of Australia’ and the gateway to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. This popular haven for fishermen and retirees began as a number of seaside villages, but nowadays boasts kilometres of beaches and offers a vast range of tourist attractions and activities for all ages.
Hervey Bay’s climate and idyllic waterways ensures that it has an abundance of water sports activity in the area. The coastal city has a broad nature strip with a bike and walking path meandering amongst the trees as it traces along the entire stretch of sandy beach from the Urangan Pier, to the last of the grand old beach houses at Point Vernon.
Point Vernon
Its safe sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops, parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a vibrant marina. There is also the newly opened Stockland Shopping Centre that has numerous shops and a large supermarket.
The top ten things to do in Hervey Bay are:
Fishing on the shores of Hervey Bay
Shark Show Hervey Bay
Whale Watching at Hervey Bay
Cycling Path along The Esplanade
Calm Waters of Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay Parklands
Urangan Pier
Hervey Bay Marina
Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum
Fraser Island Day Tour
The reason that Hervey Bay is regarded as the ‘Whale Watching Capital’ is because the whales bring their calves into the calm protected waters of the bay on their return journey to the south. The whales can stay and play for up to four days, so they aren’t just passing by. There are guaranteed sightings of these mighty creatures from late July to early November.
Hervey Bay Whale Statue
Fraser Island stretches over 123 kilometres in length and 22 kilometres at its widest point. With an area of 184,000 hectares it is the largest sand island in the world. Access to Fraser Island is by vehicular barge from River Heads (near Maryborough), Hervey Bay and Inskip Point at Rainbow Beach.
It is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, some tea-coloured and others clear and blue all ringed by white sandy beaches. In the heart of the island ancient rainforests grow in sand along the banks of fast-flowing, crystal-clear creeks.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is strictly 4WD territory with the vast expanse of 75 Mile Beach being an actual highway that runs up the surfside of the island. 4WDs share the highway with Air Fraser planes conducting joy flights. There are many sandy tracks criss-crossing the island linking lakes and rainforests. Fraser Island’s famous 75 Mile Beach offers some of the best beach fishing in the world.
The top seven must dos on Fraser Island are:
Beach fishing on Fraser Island
Aircraft landing on 75 Mile Beach
Rainforest in the centre of the island
Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island
Indian Head, Fraser Island
Maheno Shipwreck, Fraser Island
Cathedral Rocks, Fraser Island
Fraser Island really is one of those natural encounters that should not be overlooked, offering some of the best eco-experiences that will revitalise your mind, body and soul. The abundant flora and fauna, that includes freshwater Turtles, Dolphins, Dugongs, Wallabies, Echidnas, Possums, 350 species of birds, Dingoes and Humpback Whales, gives tourists an irreplaceable insight into ‘Mother Nature’ at her best.
Maaroom, Boonooroo and Tuan are typical sleepy fishing hamlets on the waterfront, just south of Maryborough with views out to Fraser Island. Years ago we owned a small fishing shack on the mudflats at Boonooroo and spent many weekends here. It’s the ideal place for the avid fisherman, scavenging for yabbies and crabs on the mudflats when the tide is out or just kicking back and relaxing. It is also surrounded by the Wallum Swamp area which is home to a unique collection of Australian flora and fauna and is the second largest protection area in Queensland for the Dugong.
Boonooroo Mudflats
Tin Can Bay is located at the southern end of Fraser Island and is an hour and a half drive from Hervey Bay. This pretty little coastal villages ideal location on an inlet, adjoins the Great Sandy Strait and is perfect for sailing, house-boating and fishing.
Tin Can Bay
Rainbow Beach is only a 10 minute barge ride to Fraser Island and is often used as the starting point for exploration of the island. Called Rainbow Beach, because of the beautiful coloured sands of its beaches, can be accessed by 4WD. It is renowned as one of Australia’s top ten scuba diving destinations at Double Island Point.
Rainbow Beach
They say that the Great Sandy Strait rivals the Whitsundays for yachtsmen as it has perfect sailing conditions and stunning scenery. But is also is a fisherman’s paradise with its sheltered bays, sand flats, beaches and mangrove-lined creeks which are great for fishing.
A Yachtsman’s Paradise
I have spent a lot of my holidays in this part of Queensland, particularly when my children were little, and I would have to put it up there with one of the best holiday and natural experiences you can get. The Fraser Coast is truly an aquatic paradise and a place where nature comes alive!
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bmpermie
September 19, 2014When my parents retired there first big trip was along the Queensland Coast. They really loved Hervey Bay and returned a few times. Certainly my father’s favourite destination. I can see why.
Kathy
September 19, 2014I can see why your parents would like Hervey Bay. It has a nice easy laid-back feel to it and is a very popular holiday destination.
travellingbag
September 19, 2014Beautiful photos Kathy and it certainly looks like an idyllic spot.
Kathy
September 19, 2014Thank you. Hervey Bay is a beautiful place and one that I have visited frequently over the years. I’m glad I was able to bring it to you.
tpaguntalan
September 19, 2014Hi Kathy,
Your blog site is amazing! I love the photos of the places you’ve been to. These photos are memories to last you a lifetime. The places you have been to and are going to see need not be forgotten. I can’t wait to read more about your travels and view your wonderful photos.
You can actually share your photos and videos to more people. I discovered an awesome website that lets you share pictures and videos and helps you remember specific locations you’ve traveled to.
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Kathy
September 19, 2014Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos of our travels. I will definitely check out Trailu.com as it sounds right up my alley. Thanks for visiting my blog :)
Johanna
September 19, 2014Awesome photos – and the one of the whale and the boat is amazing. You’ve really made me want to visit Fraser Island and Hervey Bay – can’t wait to explore the East Coast one of these days :)
Kathy
September 19, 2014I have been telling everyone how amazing The West was during our recent travels, so I guess I have taken my own coastline along Queensland for granted. Hervey Bay and Fraser Island are both beautiful places and very popular holiday destinations.
Pinky Poinker
September 19, 2014My brother lives in Hervey Bay and I have visited as well as a stay at Fraser Island. I loved the inland lake at Fraser Island. Again you have provided a stunning pictorial display and commentary Kathy :)
Kathy
September 19, 2014Thanks Pinky. You may be relieved to know that this is the last of my pictorials of my around Australia trip. Where to next? You will have to wait and see!!
Dick Jordan
September 20, 2014Great shot of the humpback whale and the boat!
Kathy
September 20, 2014Thanks Dick, but I must confess the photo is not one of mine. Most of the others are however. Thank you for visiting my blog :)
Nancie
September 21, 2014Your shots are gorgeous! I traveled in Australia over 30 years ago, and would love to go back.
Kathy
September 21, 2014Thank you Nancie. Australia is a magnificent country. I hope you get to visit again some day :)
jan
September 21, 2014This is my kind of Aussie Holiday Kathy. We love the sunshine coast and have been to Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay, but unbelievable have not been to Fraser Island yet. Incredible and something we shall have to put right in the near future. Love all the boats and water shots. Did you take the one of the whale? It is a beautiful shot.
Kathy
September 21, 2014Yes the photo of the whale is unbelievable, but I didn’t take it unfortunately. I’ve spent a lot of time around this area as well, but only been to Fraser Island once. It is very popular with the male of the species for ‘boy’s fishing & camping’ expeditions, but also a great place for a family holiday.
seizetheday20
April 7, 2016We loved the Fraser Coast, particularly Fraser Island itself. How beautiful is Lake Mackenzie? So great for the kids to see the ancient rainforests too.
Kathy
April 7, 2016I haven’t been to Fraser Island in years and had to rely on friend’s photos for the article, however I would love to visit there again in the future. It is a stunning island, but can get very busy during peak times. :)
Melissa @ All Around Oz
April 7, 2016We love the Fraser Coast….Rainbow Beach was the first place we went when we bought our camper trailer and now we go back there as often as we can. Loved Fraser Island too….so beautiful.
Kathy
April 7, 2016Oh yes I have seen your posts about Rainbow Beach. I have never actually been here but would like to see it one day. Fraser Island is amazing. It’s been many years since I was there. :)
sue elliott
April 7, 2016The 4wd hire on Fraser Island was a real highlight for us, bumpy craziness and bloody big snakes! but I am very pleased you have taken the photos cos I was going ‘Oh look at that!’ like a maniac and forgot all about the camera.
Kathy
April 7, 2016Sometimes my husband says “enough with the photos”! Because he feels I am missing the actual experience of being in the moment. I am a bit of a camera pest and love photographing everything in sight! Fraser Island is an extremely beautiful place to visit. :)
cassmob
April 7, 2016We haven’t been to Fraser fr some years…such a beautiful spot. Must plan a trip to see whales this year.
@cassmob from
Family History Across The Seas
Kathy
April 7, 2016I haven’t been on Fraser in years either, but we keep saying we are going to plan a camping trip there soon. There are just too many great places to visit in Australia! :)
Tony And Kim
April 19, 2020Hervey Bay has been a holiday destination for us for years. When you drive along the esplanade and see the Turquoise colour in the ocean makes you want to pull over and jump in for a swim. We’ve always stayed at Urangan near the boat harbor, within walking distance to the Boat Cub and Chinese Restaurant. We stayed twice in a cabin at the Discovery Caravan Park Fraser Street for the Maryborough Pub Crawl. Hervey Bay is always changing and unfortunately Vic Hislop’s Shark Show closed down in 2016.
Kathy
April 20, 2020The Urangan end of Hervey Bay is fabulous. We’ve only stayed in Hervey Bay for a few days in 2014 (hence the reason I didn’t know the Shark Show had closed down). However we owned a property at Boonooroo for several years and used to spend a lot of time there when our kids were very young. It is a gorgeous part of Queensland and not to far to drive from Brisbane or Gold Coast.