Things to do in

Hervey Bay

This 5 hour tour departs from your Hervey Bay accommodation. You will depart the marina, and travel to Fraser Island, across beautiful blue, clear water. Look out for Australian wildlife including dolphins, turtles and whales on the way. A sumptuous morning tea will be served on the journey over. You will then arrive at Fraser Island's western beach and/or Pelican Banks, depending on the season and weather. Beaches on the western side of Fraser Island are far more remote and untouched. Pelican Bank is a sandbank on the Great Sandy Strait which is utter perfection due to the clear water. Swim, kayak, fish, walk, play and explore this beautiful location. An Aussie BBQ lunch will be provided as you cruise back from Fraser Island. This includes locally-sourced ingredients such as quality rib fillet steaks, gourmet sausages, fresh Hervey Bay prawns, 3 delicious and nutritious salads, and bread. Cold drinks will be available for purchase at the licensed affordable bar.

On this full-day excursion, you’ll cruise the Great Sandy Strait along the pristine shores of Fraser Island. Spot dolphins, turtles, dugongs, birds, and dingoes as you enjoy a light morning tea of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, slice, and biscuits. An amphibious watercraft will take you to the western side of World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, driving right onto the beach to ensure you remain dry and comfortable. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of Wathumba Creek on a range of activities including snorkeling with turtles, kayaking, tubing, beach walks, or a sand dune climb. Following a delicious lunch served on the boat, the tour continues to Awinya or Bowarrady Creek. Enjoy the diverse natural surroundings and a variety of water activities. From mid-July to the end of October each year, be on the lookout for humpback whales and experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with these majestic creatures as they enjoy the calm clear waters off Fraser Island. If conditions are ideal, guests will have the opportunity to experience a humpback whale immersion. The friendly and experienced staff will provide expert commentary throughout the tour as well as serving afternoon tea: antipasti platter including cheese, cabana, crackers, pickled onions, and dip. The tour concludes with a relaxing cruise back to the Hervey Bay Marina.

Relax on a tranquil evening cruise from Hervey Bay into the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park. This is the perfect appetizer for your evening ahead. Nothing beats watching the sunset at sea and the experience of returning to the port at dusk. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne as you soak up the changing colors of the bay. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other wildlife that frequent the Marine Park at dusk. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset. Early evening is a special time to be on the water as marine wildlife of the harbor comes out to play. You will find the peacefulness of the water perfectly reflecting the evening light, and the lights of Hervey Bay twinkling in the distance mesmerizing.

Your adventure begins with pickup from your Hervey Bay accommodation, or make your own way to River Heads. Take a 40-minute ferry ride to Fraser Island, keeping a look out for dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Once on the island, your local guide will take you to see the stunning natural sights.   Learn fascinating facts about the island’s history, and its fauna and flora. Travel in an air-conditioned bus to Central Station, a former logging station. Then stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk to discover the ancient king ferns, towering ghost gums, and pine trees. Continue to Lake McKenzie and swim in the crystal blue waters or relax on the sandy beaches. The next stop is Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Choose to take a flight over the island (at additional cost), or float down Eli Creek. Visit the Maheno shipwreck and enjoy a photo stop at the rusting wreck of the Maheno. You’ll also see The Pinnacles colored sands, and learn how these formations were created. Board the 5:00 PM ferry back to River Heads, and get dropped off at your accommodation between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Hop onboard the boat in Hervey Bay and set sail to the UNESCO listed Fraser Island, known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Cruise along the west coast of the island, and admire stunning views of its shoreline. Highlights of the trip include Pelican Banks, Moon Point, Big Woody Island, and more (depending on tidal conditions). As you glide through the ocean, look out for dolphins, sea turtles, and the mysterious dugong.  Sunbathe on deck while soaking up the sights, or cool off with a dip in the sea. Have fun in the boat’s built-in boom-net, which provides a safe space to play in the water. At the end of a magical 3 hour adventure, return to the port in Hervey Bay.

A luxury yacht invites you to sit back and relax as you’re taken on this Champagne Sunset Sail. Soak up the panoramic views of Hervey Bay and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Watch a spectacular sunset cast shadows of amber and gold on the Great Sandy Strait. Enjoy a 90-minute sail along the calm waters of Hervey Bay and around Fraser Island. Choose your favorite drink from the sparkling wine, beer, wine and soft drinks available. Savor the delicious finger foods, and sit back, relax and unwind. The Blue Dolphin Marine Tours Champagne Sunset Sail provides the perfect setting for a magical sunset in a tropical paradise.

Spend a morning exploring the Fraser Coast’s natural environment, discover playful marine life and create memories to last a lifetime. With more than 30 years’ experience, Blue Dolphin Marine Tours offers unbeatable marine and adventure tours in Queensland on a comfortable, multi-award-winning sailing vessel. On this 4-hour adventure you’ll cruise the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait and explore the unspoiled west coast of World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the pristine Pelican Bank. You’ll head to the heart of the dolphin playground and with a focus on discovering the abundant marine life, you’re likely to encounter pods of bottlenose dolphins, Australian humpback dolphins and even dugongs, fish and turtles. There will be ample time to swim in the inviting waters off Fraser Island or Pelican Bank, try out the boom net on the back of the boat, test your balance or simply relax on the exclusive AquaMat.

Embark on the region’s only tour of Lake McKenzie. Relax on island time, immerse yourself in the crystal-clear fresh waters, and laze along the pristine white sands of Fraser Island. Meet at the Boat Club Marina in Hervey Bay, and then set sail at 10.30 AM by fast boat to the Kingfisher Bay Resort. Feast on an inclusive lunch, and enjoy some quality resort time with full access to all the facilities. Then, clamber aboard a 4WD coach for a guided journey to Lake McKenzie. Take some free time at the iconic lake to swim in the crystal-clear waters, or just sunbathe on its famous white sands. Refreshed, make a relaxing journey back to Hervey Bay by passenger ferry, including courtesy coach transfer back to the Boat Club Marina or your local accommodation.

Join the only cultural tour on the Fraser Coast. With your local Butchulla guide onboard, obtain first hand knowledge of the history, hunting and gathering techniques.  Your ecotour begins at 10:30am departing from the Great Sandy Straits Marina onboard a 10 metre glass bottom vessel. Travel through the spectacular waterways of the Great Sandy Marine Park, with stops at Round Island and Big Woody Island and visit coral reefs for snorkelling and viewing through the glass panels. Lunch, tropical fruit platter, water, tea and coffee are all included in your tour. Be intrigued by the history spanning thousands of years, through the eyes of a local aboriginal guide, a direct descendant from the Butchulla tribe - the custodians of K'Gari. Take a walk in the Butchulla footsteps and discover the deep connection the aboriginal people share with the land and sea.

Cruise the pristine waters of the Great Sandy Straits, including destinations such as Woody Island, North White Cliffs, Ungowa and Garry's Anchorage. Departing from the Boat Club relax and wildlife spot as we cruise through the Great Sandy Straits to the famous Gary’s Anchorage, located approximately halfway to Tin Can Bay. Enjoy a light lunch on-board as we cruise through the anchorage. Experience the beauty of the Great Sandy Marine Park & Fraser Island, this pristine area of Mangroves, Sand Cliffs and sand flats wilderness is abound with sea and birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous Fraser Island dingos. Learn about some of the history of early settlers and logging of this historical region. The Great Sandy Strait, from Dayman Point - Sandy Point (near Hervey Bay) to Tin Can Bay in the south, is a Ramsar wetland of international importance. It has been declared a shorebird designated area within the marine park to protect migratory shorebirds. Seabirds and shorebirds are a vibrant feature of this World Heritage area. They occupy a range of habitats, including the mouths of creeks and estuaries, rocky ocean foreshores, sand spits, and sandy beaches.