30 things to do on the Fraser Coast

1. Dive straight into the beauty of the Fraser Coast with Hervey Bay Eco Marine Tours, where you can experience the local islands, snorkel on the reef, and learn about sustainability, whilst listening to ancient Dreamtime stories from their local Butchulla guide.

2. Go stand up paddleboarding or kayaking (hired from Aquavue's recreation hub) and take in Hervey Bay from a different view.

3. Surround yourself in lush greenery, florals bursting with colour and perfectly manicured lawns at the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. There’s an Australian bush tucker garden, a Chinese garden and a 20,000 strong Orchid House.

4. A trip to the Fraser Coast isn't complete without seeing magnificent humpback whales – Hervey Bay is the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, after all. Get close enough to feel the sea spray from their breach while watching them swim in their natural playground. To witness these magnificent creatures, visit between July and October.

Whale watching is a great accessible experience. Whalesong Cruises’ vessel is designed specifically for wheelchair access while Hervey Bay Whale Watch Quick Cat II has ramps running around the main deck and foredeck to ensure you get a front-row seat to the action. For those with low vision, Freedom Whale Watch and Dive Charters vessel is equipped with a high-tech hydrophone so you can hear the beauty of the whales singing beneath the deep blue.

5. For an even wilder experience, dive into the water and swim with the humpback whales (weather and conditions permitting). Discover which local operators offer swim with whales here.

6. Pay a visit to feed green sea turtles, starfish and reef sharks at Reefworld Aquarium in Urangan. It’s one of the few all-natural aquariums in the world, using only sand filtered seawater and natural sunlight. 

7. Kick start a new hobby or nurture your love of scuba diving with Hervey Bay Dive Centre. Adventures within reach include one of Queensland’s most exciting wreck dive sites, HMAS Tobruk, or Roy Rufus – an incredible artificial reef with vibrant marine life like wobbegongs, stingrays, turtles, gropers, sea snakes and a great range of reef fish and invertebrates.

8. For spectacular views and one of the top fishing spots in Hervey Bay, head to the historic Urangan Pier - it's one of the longest in Australia and stretches for almost one kilometre into the ocean.

9. View the amazing rotating artwork on display at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, with new exhibitions every 6-8 weeks.

10. Go on a sunset sail - complete with champagne - cruising through the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park in the glow of golden hour. Blue Dolphin Marine Tours and The Boat Club offer sunset cruises.

11. Looking for a bite to eat? Stop by at Enzo's on the Beach to catch a famous Hervey Bay sunset while enjoying cocktails overlooking the waters of Scarness Beach.

12. Spend quality time with the family and discover new things together at the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, where interactive displays and immersive encounters will teach everyone a thing or two about the Great Sandy Biosphere.

K’gari (formerly Fraser Island)

13. Be enchanted by Queensland’s first permanent interpretive light show, Illumina. Set amidst the natural beauty of the wallum wetlands, the experience is exclusive to guests of Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari’s premier four-star eco-accommodation that specialises in immersive, nature-based experiences on the island.

14. Slumber with the view of a million stars and pitch a tent on K'gari. Pack the 4WD (or rent one) and take your pick from 35 camping spots – from national parks to beachfront.

15. Keen 4WD’rs should extend their adventure along the Great Beach Drive and stare in awe at the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Marine Park.

16. Inner tubing has never been more peaceful – float down Eli Creek and dip a toe or ten in Lake McKenzie.

17. You can’t do the Fraser Coast without getting up close to the famed Maheno Shipwreck that ran aground in 1935. Walk, swim or fly around it to take in its rusty frame set against the crystal blue water. 

18. Discover the wild, remote west coast of K’gari with Tasman Venture. The adventure-packed day trip from Hervey Bay escapes the crowds and offers bush walking, snorkelling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, tube riding and swimming off-the-beaten-path. It’s one of the best tours to see the island.

19. Captain your own yacht and explore the wonders of the Great Sandy Strait and K'gari with Fraser Island Boat Charters, who offer a fleet of sailing and power catamarans for groups of all sizes (with the option for a private skippered charter if you prefer)

Country

20. You might be surprised to discover that Mary Poppins was written by one of Australia’s own – P.L. Travers – and her birthplace is the Fraser Coast’s historic country town of Maryborough. Visit the life-sized statue in front of the building where the author was born, then head inside The Story Bank to learn more about her life and the imaginative characters she created. There’s pieces of Mary Poppins history all over town – and an annual festival each winter, too.

21. Wander back in time on a Heritage Walk through Maryborough’s historic streets, visiting iconic landmarks, uncovering fascinating stories and admiring architecture dating back to the early 1800s. Free guided walk tours leave Maryborough City Hall Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9am (weather permitting, excludes public holidays). Cach Tours also offers a history tour each Thursday. Inspired? Explore the town’s historic pub trail next, or learn more at the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum .

22. Visit the Thursday Maryborough Markets and nibble on farm-fresh produce while you wander the stalls full of flavour and unique wares, and chat to locals.

23. Grab your hiking boots – and your swimwear – for a day exploring the trails of Mount Walsh National Park, topped off with wild swimming in the rock pools at Utopia Falls.

24. Go horse riding through the farmlands and bush of 1660-acre Susan River Homestead. There’s a horse for every age and level of experience, so saddle up – plus camping and onsite accommodation if you want to spend more time in the country air.

25. Take a bushwalk through the Burrum Coast National Park and explore the serene melaleuca wetlands, paperbark swamps and banksia woodlands.

26. Stroll along the award-winning Maryborough Mural Trail, home to 37 large scale artworks that tell the quirky and serious stories of the city’s colourful past, from the time when it was Queensland’s major industrial city building naval ships, sugar mills and railway rolling stock.

27. Pack a feast and head down to the Mary River Parklands to admire the new wharf while you bask under the shade trees. See if you can spot the Maryborough Bollards: seven painted timber posts that show a sea captain welcoming a family of immigrants at the Port of Maryborough in the 1860s.

28. Escape to the Fraser Coast Hinterland and toast the serenity and good old country hospitality. Visit the home of the macadamia nut, eat-in historic pubs, and fish in the Mary River.

Great Barrier Reef

29. Did you know the Great Barrier Reef is just a day trip away from Hervey Bay? Glide over sparkling waters to Lady Elliot Island on a scenic flight to spend the day exploring the Reef from all angles: the air, snorkelling, glass bottom boat and from land. The island’s eco resort offers a range of accommodation for those keen to extend their stay.

30. Hop onboard Advance II’s 3 night/4 day dive liveboard expedition departing Hervey Bay to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll deep dive iconic destinations like Lady Elliot Island, Lady Musgrave Island, the Fairfax Islands, and wreck-dive the ex-HMAS Tobruk.

Ready to plan your Fraser Coast adventure? Start exploring here.