Hervey Bay Qld 4655 (Pop 40 000)

Hervey Bay is a rapidly growing and popular Fraser Coast city having encompassed a chain of small villages along the bay. It is located 291 km north of Brisbane and also attracts large numbers of retirees. Pronounced ‘Harvey’ the name covers both the large body of water between Maryborough and Bundaberg as well as the city which calls itself ‘Caravan Capital of Australia’. European settlement began in 1850s and early industries included cattle and dairy farming, fishing, and sugar cane for which large numbers of Kanakas were brought in. Hervey Bay offers a huge diversity of activities and attractions, predominantly acting as one of FraserIsland’s main gateways, whale spotting (when the Humpbacks enjoy these warm waters between July-Nov), fishing and all types of water sports. Koala markets 2^nd/4^th /5^th Sun each month. Yagubi Festival (Feb), Whale Festival (Aug). 

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Dayman Park (between Urangan Pier & Hervey Bay Marina) contains the Matthew Flinders Memorial commemorating his 1799 landing and a Memorial to the Z-Force who used this area as training grounds during WWII to sink 38 000 tons of Japanese ships in Singapore. Urangan Pier 70 year old structure of 1.4 km popular today with fishermen and tourists. Botanic Gardens, Elizabeth St. Historic Museum, Zephyr St interesting pioneering displays and memorabilia including a 1898 cottage. Open Fri-Sun pm. Whale Watching attracts thousands of visitors wishing to spot the beautiful Humpback whales revelling in the warm bay waters between July-Nov.

Nearby:
Fraser Island (37 km n-e) world’s largest sand island and World Heritage-listed with over 40 freshwater lakes, sensational beaches, rainforests, coloured sand cliffs and a great variety of wildlife and birdlife. Toogoom (15 km west) picturesque seaside resort town with a boardwalk. Burrum Heads (20 km n-w) located at the mouth of the Burrum River, this lovely holiday resort offers excellent fishing and swimming beaches. Burrum Coast NP (34 km n-w) rich in coastal scenery, sandy beaches, heathlands and tea-tree swamps and popular for bushwalking, birdwatching, canoeing and camping. Brooklyn House (36 km west) beautiful historical Queenslander pioneer house located at Howard.

Accommodation:
Hervey Bay has about a dozen motels, 4 hotels, 5 resorts, many holiday units/apartments and about 15 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 227 Maryborough-Hervey Bay Rd. Tel (07) 4125 9855 or 1800 811 728.