Things to Do in Hervey Bay

Fishing

Hervey Bay 's waters are a fisherman's paradise - you can cast a line from the golden sandy beaches or join the many other keen fishermen and try your luck off the famous Urangan Pier. For those who wish to experience reef or estuary fishing, you can hop aboard one of the daily cruises or plan a two to five day trip. With a variety of fishing trips available, you can set sail taking in the views along the way and catch a glimpse of the dugongs, turtles, dolphins, birds and the mighty humpback whales when in season. Bait and tackle needs are included in the tours. Whether you decide to cast your line from shore or venture out to sea, your requirements will be well catered for when you visit Hervey Bay.

BOTANIC GARDENS

Discover the Aboriginal Bush Tucker Garden and Cultural Trail constructed in 1995 in collaboration with the local Butchulla people. Bird feeding is held weekdays at 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. Magnificent remnant gums rise up to tower above the lagoon system beckoning visitors to explore the hectares of bushland beyond. Visit the Bush Chapel within an open air "Cathedral" of towering rainforests trees, or just meander, take a picnic and feed the ducks.

Visit the Hervey Bay Orchid House at the Botanic Gardens which displays a wide variety of orchids from around the world. The collection showcases some of the most popular plants from the Orchidaceae family – Cattleya and alliances, Debrobiums, Vandas (just to mention a few) in a rain forest setting.

Botanic Gardens, Elizabeth Street , Urangan

Tel : (07) 4125 9715

Open Mon-Fri 9.00am to 3.00pm

Find the best accommodation in Hervey Bay

Golf N Games

Golf 'N'Games Waterslide is an entertainment venue for everyone. It boasts the longest waterslide in Queensland and has an 18-hole mini-golf course set in tropical gardens - the games room houses the latest in family entertainment. Drinks, ice creams and snacks are available. Golf'N'Games is the ideal place for the young and young at heart to spend a few hours or the whole day.

4 Cypress Street , Torquay

Tel : (07) 4125 1166

Open 10.00am daily

HERVEY BAY DAY/NIGHT GOLF DRIVING RANGE

210 Maryborough Road , Nikenbah

Tel : (07) 4124 8555

Open Daily

You can hit off natural grass tees all year round, daytime and evenings. There are 30 hitting bays with superior quality artificial grass mats and overhead protection from the sun and rain. The putting green is located behind the bays, and for no extra charge you can practise your putting stroke anytime. There is a wide range of golf clubs available for hire.

NEPTUNE 'S REEFWORLD

Cnr Pulgul and Kent Streets, Urangan, through Dayman Park

Tel : (07) 4128 9828 – Fax : (07) 4125 2531

Open daily 9.15am

Neptune's Reefworld located on the beach at Urangan, is a totally natural aquarium where you are able to discover the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef . Over twenty different living corals are displayed with a diverse variety of fish and marine life, sharks and a giant Queensland groper. They have a touch tank where you are able to 'feel it' by touching corals, starfish and much more. The seal shows and shark feeding are an absolute must, and you can pat the large sea turtles whilst learning how they feed. The Coffee Deck overlooking the islands is a great place to enjoy a relaxing tea or coffee. Neptune 's is wheelchair friendly and group prices are available.

HERVEY BAY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

13 Zephyr Street , Hervey Bay

Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 1.00 – 5.00 pm

The Hervey Bay Historical Museum comprises fourteen buildings showcasing memorabilia of the past. Incorporated in the complex is a fully restored 1910 Church, blacksmith shop, old school room, and slab cottage which house over three thousand exhibits. Spend an afternoon at this interesting venue and soak up the history of a bygone era.

SUSAN RIVER HOMESTEAD

Maryborough Hervey Bay Road , Susan River

Tel : (07) 4121 6846 – Fax : (07) 4122 2675.

Susan River Homestead is an excellent group charter opportunity. Your clients will enjoy a tasty two course smorgasbord lunch, or be treated to great country style hospitality and be thrilled by an outstanding performance from Guy McLean, "The Horseman From Susan River", appearing with "Nugget", his beautiful stallion. Guy will recite works from local poets, and traditional works by popular writers such as Banjo Patterson. Horse riding also available by prior appointment.

VIC HISLOP SHARK SHOW

553 Esplanade, Hervey Bay – Tel : (07) 4128 9137

Open 10.00am to 4.00pm - Closed Wednesdays.

A lifetime of dedication by one man brings you the most comprehensive shark show ever compiled. You can get within inches of a 16ft Great White Shark, kept frozen at 25 degrees below zero. It's the only place in the world where you can get to see and study a man-eating shark. There are two films that run continuously - "Why do whales beach themselves" which runs for 30 minutes and "Shark Hunter" which runs for 50 minutes. Both movies are informative and educational. The enjoyable, educational displays and articles are guaranteed to leave an impression.

WIDE BAY EQUESTRIAN PARK

Lot 5 Noble Road , Susan River

Tel : (07) 4122 4618 - Mobile: 014 669 069

Wide Bay Equestrian Park is located only 15 minutes driving time from Hervey Bay and comprises 200 acres of Australian bushland. Horse riding is their specialty and first time riders are especially catered for. The Susan River winds 2km along the boundary and is home to barramundi, crabs and prawns. The floating jetty gives you easy access to fishing spots.

Camp by the river or go deeper into the cattle camps, full of fauna and flora including 1000-year-old grass trees. Wake in the morning to see horses grazing around the billabong and go kangaroo/dingo spotting. Enjoy home cooked meals, campfire yarns, bonfire nights and more. A true blue Australian adventure holiday. Special packages for groups.

LOCAL PLACES OF INTEREST

ENJOY A SCENIC TOUR OF THE AREA

BURRUM HEADS

Scenic drive

CHAPEL ROAD, NIKENBAH

Sugarcane fields

DAYMAN PARK URANGAN

Quiet waterfront area, playground, BBQ, picnic area and historic monuments

FLYING FOX COLONY, ESPLANADE, PIALBA

Tooan Tooan Creek, dawn and dusk viewing

GHOST HILL, HERVEY BAY

Views from Bundaberg to Sandy Straits

HOWARD

Quiet country town

HERVEY BAY MARINA, BUCCANEER DRIVE , URANGAN

MURAL & SCULPTURES, ESPLANADE AND ELIZABETH STREETS, URANGAN

OSPREY NEST, THE GABLES, ESPLANADE, POINT VERNON

RIVER HEADS

Mouth of the Mary and Susan Rivers, views of the Great Sandy Straits

TOOGOOM

Scenic drives and picnic spots

TORBANLEA

Country town

LAKE LENTHALL

Wonderful waterholes, picnic and camping areas and freshwater fishing

KRYSTAL KLEAR

Krystal Klear Charters is a 40ft glass bottom boat tour which runs daily from the Great Sandy Straits Marina in Hervey Bay - departure times vary according to tidal conditions. The five hour tour is a personalised experience with a maximum of 38 passengers. Approximately two hours is spent on the reef snorkelling, fish feeding and coral viewing. Dolphins are sighted most days and we guarantee numerous turtles in the warmer months.

The other half of the tour is spent on deserted Round Island where there is a BBQ facility and seating in the shade. Enjoy a substantial BBQ lunch with home made salads, a variety of breads and fresh tropical fruits. The island is ideal for bird watching, sunbaking, swimming and fishing off the beach. Night trips (viewing the coral under artifical lights) are available, tide permitting. Significant discount prices are available for group bookings.

THE FRASER ISLAND COMPANY

Experience Fraser Island with The Fraser Island Company who offer Ranger guided tours in airconditioned 4WD coaches. Take a day trip or two day safari and explore the Island with comprehensive commentary on the cultural history and early development of the Island together with information on the flora and fauna. Alternatively, discover the World's largest sand island in personalised comfort on the Fraser Exclusive Tour which carries a maximum of fourteen passengers.

FRASER VENTURE TOURS

Silent rainforests, freshwater lakes, coloured sands – are all unforgettable experiences on the Fraser Venture day tour – or why not do it overnight? Two and three day adventure safaris will have you leaving World Heritage listed Fraser Island with memories to last a lifetime. If time is tight, why not try a Picnic Tour – discover the heart of Fraser Island visiting Lake McKenzie , Wanggoolba Creek, Central Station and Pile Valley – the choice is yours.

YAGUBI MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

2nd Weekend in May

This festival encompasses a wealth of activities with non-stop entertainment and multicultural experiences to suit everyone. 'Yagubi' means 'come along' a fitting theme for this fantastic festival. There is continuous entertainment on multiple stages with performances from many different cultures. A Children's Festival with loads of entertainment operates on the Saturday and Sunday. Throughout the weekend there

will be an international food and craft fair with stalls filled with a diverse range of cuisine, art and crafts, clothing and alternative healing, a Poets Breakfast and lots of street theatre. One of the highlights of the festival is the dazzling fire event and the lantern parade, which is held on the Saturday night. Spectators will be thrilled with the fire dancing, fire sculptures and fireworks display.

WHALE FESTIVAL

1st and 2nd weekends in August

The Whale Festival features a variety of activities with something for everyone. The events during the first weekend include a Teddy Bear's Picnic in the Botanic Gardens, for the young and young at heart, featuring competitions and prizes. The Blessing of the Fleet held on the boardwalks, decks, pontoons and walkways of the Boat Harbour encompasses a host of live entertainment. The second weekend at the Pialba Seafront Oval is the Family Funfest with live entertainment, carnival rides and activities, food stalls and much more.

Special events, which change from year to year, are held throughout the evenings. One event that doesn't change is the Electric Light Parade which is held on the Saturday night. The parade lights up the streets of Hervey Bay with illuminated floats, marching bands, street entertainers and much more and is a marvelous event for the whole family.

HERVEY BAY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Annually - October

This fantastic event is an interesting array of trade, government department and industry displays covering all aspects of the industry. Informative and entertaining presentations and demonstrations from experts in the fields of seafood handling, preparation, cooking and serving. Plenty of entertainment combined with an increasing number of food outlets offering an incredible array of fresh local seafood creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.