Stargazing Season
June - August
June - August
Min
9°
Max
19°
On Fraser Coast, peak hour is when you spot another 4WD roaring down the sand highway. And rush hour? That’s when the whales decide it’s time for a mass belly flop in the bay.
Step onto K’gari and you’ll see why this World Heritage-listed wonder lives up to its name (which means ‘paradise’ in the Butchulla language). Float in the mirror-like waters of Lake McKenzie, bounce over the 75-Mile Beach Highway, or take a dip in nature’s own fizzing jacuzzi at the Champagne Pools. And don’t forget to crane your neck up, way up, in the ancient Valley of the Giants, home to some of the tallest trees in Queensland.
Then there’s Hervey Bay, where the VIP guest list each year includes thousands of humpback whales who swing by for a bit of R&R. If you’re keen to get up close and personal with these playful ocean giants (and by ‘up close’ we mean eye-to-eye as they sidle up to your boat), then this is the place to be.
Venture to the historic Maryborough, a town brimming with charm, heritage-listed buildings, and a cheeky little claim to fame - it’s the birthplace of Mary Poppins’ creator, P.L. Travers and they have a festival to celebrate it. Follow the Mural Trail, duck into the Military & Colonial Museum, or time your visit with the legendary Maryborough Markets.
Looking for something wilder? Set your sights on the untouched rainforest of the Mary Valley, where rivers wind through lush greenery, and bird calls fill the air. Or swap the trees for water at Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay, where you can meet the rare and oh-so-charismatic Australian humpback dolphin.
Still craving adventure? Chat face-to-face with a local about all the best things to see and do on the Fraser Coast at a Visitor Information Centre.
Getting here is smoother than a sand dune on K'gari. Fraser Coast favourites like Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Rainbow Beach, and Tin Can Bay are an easy drive from Brisbane - about 3.5 hours north for Hervey Bay and 2.5 hours for Tin Can Bay. Greyhound buses and Queensland Rail services connect larger towns along the coast (though you’ll need your own wheels for Tin Can Bay).
If you’re road-tripping from North Queensland, you’re looking at around 9-10 hours from the Whitsundays or 15-16 hours from Cairns. But let’s be honest, with so many beach towns, lookouts, and roadside bakeries along the way, you’ll want to break up the trip.
Flying? Hervey Bay Airport connects you to Brisbane, Sydney, and even Lady Elliot Island (because why not throw a Great Barrier Reef adventure into the mix?).
Heading to K’gari? You can ferry over from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, with options for foot passengers, 4WDs, and even light aircraft if you fancy arriving in style. From Hervey Bay, ferries leave River Heads for Wanggoolba Creek and Kingfisher Bay Resort. From Rainbow Beach, the Inskip Point ferry lands you at Hook Point, the southern gateway to island adventure.
The Fraser Coast is in southern Queensland, about 3.5 hours’ drive (250 km) north of Brisbane. It includes popular destinations like Hervey Bay, historic Maryborough, and World Heritage-listed K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
This region is where nature takes the spotlight. From humpback whale encounters in Hervey Bay to the world’s largest sand island, K’gari, the Fraser Coast is full of wide-eyed wonder. It’s also home to heritage towns, reef adventures and some of Australia’s most unique island experiences.
The Fraser Coast has a mild, subtropical climate with warm summers and pleasantly mild winters.
You can visit year-round, but the sweet spot is July to November, when humpback whales visit Hervey Bay’s calm waters. For a dose of culture, time your trip for events like Mary Poppins Festival, Relish Food & Wine Festival or Hervey Bay Whale Festival. Check out what’s on.
Epic adventures await: explore World Heritage K’gari by 4WD, swim with whales in Hervey Bay, soak up history in Maryborough, scuba dive shipwrecks, or just sun-soak on some of Australia’s best beaches. Here are the best things to do on the Fraser Coast.
Absolutely. Ferries depart daily from River Heads near Hervey Bay, walk-on or drive-on (4WD only). You can join a guided day tour, stay overnight, or bring your own 4WD for a true sand-driving and camping adventure. Bringing the whole family? Here’s our best tips.
Got a week up your sleeve to explore K’gari? Lucky you. Here’s how to ace it.
Hervey Bay is one of the best places in the world to see humpbacks. From July to November, whales come here to rest and play—with many sticking around for days. Some tours even let you swim with whales for an unforgettable close-up. Here’s everything you need to know.
Very! The region has calm beaches, wildlife encounters, interactive museums and wide-open nature to explore. Think: spotting dolphins, climbing shipwreck playgrounds, riding miniature trains, meeting whales face to face and watersports galore. This guide of things to do will please everyone from toddlers to teens.
Hervey Bay is packed with seafood shacks, marina restaurants and waterfront cafés. Try the local scallops, or enjoy farm-fresh produce at markets and country pubs. Maryborough’s heritage streets also hide some seriously tasty surprises. Here are our favourite Hervey Bay restaurants.
There’s something for every traveller: beachfront apartments in Hervey Bay, eco resorts on K’gari, farm stays and great-value holiday parks, or charming B&Bs. Head here for more.
Locals will say you could spend a lifetime exploring the Fraser Coast. And it’s true. But if you only have a few days you can still experience the highlights of Hervey Bay, including beach time, a half-day whale watching tour (in season) and even a day trip to K’gari. This itinerary covers it all.
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