The Fraser Coast: Your K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and Hervey Bay travel guide

Hervey Bay’s reputation as some of the country’s best whale watching is without fault. From July to November, the season sees tens of thousands of humpback whales journey along the coastline, relentlessly frolicking with their calves. This inspiring family encounter is a 40-tonne display of love, as the creatures perform for Fraser Coast’s annual visitors.

This, you’ll soon learn, isn’t the only experience that makes the island coastline such a rewarding and enticing travel destination for so many. K'gari – the local Butchulla peoples’ word for ‘paradise' - is the only known place on our earth where the rainforest grows directly from sand. A place with a deep spiritual connection between the land, the sea and its people for tens of thousands of years. As you arrive on the island, this sentiment resonates through a message from Uncle Malcolm Burns, a Butchulla Elder – ‘May all our good spirits be around you throughout the day. Wherever you go leave only footprints’. Travel the island with this same care and respect for the land at the forefront of your visit.

If you enjoy vast, undeveloped beaches, stretches of sand to call your own, bushwalks and charming hinterland towns, fishing or even a little history (Maryborough has a terrific claim to Mary Poppins fame), then this region will tickle your fancy, every time. It feels more like home away from home than a vacation. The towns are quaint, the community is spirited, and the breadth of experiences gives you permission to linger awhile longer on the Fraser Coast.

The best time to pack the car, camper or caravan and go

With its subtropical climate, the Fraser Coast’s weather is ideal for year-round outdoor activity – perfect if you hail from a chillier locale.

December to February are hot, wet months, but still average a pleasant daytime temperature of 30°C. Winter is both warm and dry. The best weather sits between May and November with daytime temperatures around 22-28°C. This period coincides with whale-watching season and is a popular time along the Fraser Coast. Be sure to book in advance if you’re traveling during peak season and school holidays, it’s a popular and pleasant place to visit during these months and books out quickly.

The pace of the coastline is far from strenuous, and still, no matter what time of year you book, there’s always something exciting on. As well as the annual Whale Festival that draws a crowd, there’s the Relish Food and Wine Festival, Art After Dark and the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival – a favourite among travellers. 

What to do on K'gari and the Fraser Coast 

Be pulled into K'gari’s charm and explore the natural wonders by foot. There’s plenty to do and see without investing in activities and tour bookings. Find all the stillness you’re craving during your time away within the gentle waters, soft sands and quaint towns alone.

Although, if you’re planning a return journey to this humble stretch of coastline, having already ticked whales and World Heritage wonders off the list, there’s plenty of sailing, diving, four-wheel driving to be had, and even more national parks to explore. If time’s on your side, there’s a Great Walk calling, a journey attractive to anyone with a week up their sleeve and the stamina to carry your needs on your back. Keep in mind that dingoes are native to K'gari, but are unlikely to pose a threat if you stick to populated areas and follow all regulations and ranger instructions.

Those in need of stirring their creative spark can enjoy a culture fix at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery or grab a hand-crafted treasure from the Maryborough Markets. The sense of community in these towns is strong, and your yearning to feel connected to one another is satisfied. No one’s short of a ‘hello’ in these parts.

If you’re looking for a little more ‘doing’ than ‘being’ there’s a list of 30 things to do on the Fraser Coast to help you on your way, plus 20 top things to do with kids if you’re travelling with little ones.

Let your itinerary follow your appetite 

Give yourself time to delight in the joys of local food. From tucking into fresh local scallops with Great Sandy Straight views, to unravelling a butchers’ paper of fish as your family plays in the water park, the Fraser Coast can appease every appetite.

Hervey Bay is known for the whales, but its growing dining scene has attracted world-class players that keeps locals and tourists returning to work top down through the menu. From cafes championing local ingredients to more casual coastal institutions like Enzo’s on the Beach, there’s always a reason to try dessert or dine out for more meals at this list of best restaurants in the area.

Vegans will love the plant-based selection at The Front Room (their burgers are enough to make meat-eaters drool), and coffee lovers will find any number of suitable doses along the waterfront cafes.

If you’ve only got 48 hours to work your way through them, this post will help you make the most of your weekend in Hervey Bay.

As for K’gari, Kingfisher Bay Resort has three restaurants you’ll want to flip a coin over. Their signature Seabelle Restaurant’s menu blends fresh, seasonal produce with traditional bush tucker flavours and ethos from their sustainable onsite nursery. The Maheno Restaurant offers all-day snacks and buffet-style dining, while the Sand Bar features bistro style meals on the deck. You can also join a ranger led bush tucker tour to learn all about native ingredients grown on the island.

Where to call home for the night 

The Fraser Coast’s accommodation options offer equal parts a base to adventure from, and a rejuvenating space to retreat to.

The Mantra Hervey Bay overlooks the marina and Great Sandy Strait, with wide balconies to capture the sea breeze and grant yourself space, physically and mentally. If you’re travelling with family or an adventure seeking sidekick, the Discovery Park has swimming pools, playgrounds, and one very huge bouncing pillow to be enjoyed.

If you feel the pull of the land more than that of the seaside, escape to the Fraser Coast Hinterland’s charming towns, light a fire, read a book, and watch the sun rest over the hillside. Or, keen anglers can find solace at the Burrum Coast and Great Sandy Strait, where fish outnumber humans. Campers should check out where to safely and legally pitch a tent before you go.

Over on K'gari, Kingfisher Bay Resort is leading the way for eco-accommodation in the region. A paradise of natural entertainment, you’ll be surrounded by native flora and fauna, bush tucker-inspired fine dining experiences and breath-taking sunsets that disappear behind the western beach.

Fraser Coast’s best day trips to plan

If spending time under water is your getaway calling, head to the Hervey Bay Dive Centre and take a tour with the family owned, multi award-winning tour operators. This is where you can experience Hervey Bay’s famed ‘swim with whales’ tour and acquaint yourself with these majestic beasts in their home territory.

The ex-HMAS Tobruk is unique and highly regarded wreck dive that will leave you richer in experience and with a fascinating story to share. It’s accessible to open water divers, while the more advanced can explore the entire wreck to a depth of 30 metres, including the hull.

Fill your cup and your calendar with a few of the day trips Fraser Coast has on offer, including several ways to experience K'gari in a day if you’re strapped for time. For a trip into (what feels like) undiscovered tourist territory, Tasman Venture’s Remote Island Tour will take you on a journey along waters less travelled.

For a day trip with soul and fresh air plenty, hit the road through the Fraser Coast Hinterland, or explore the seaside villages and pristine beaches on this self-drive discovery trail.