How to spend a perfect long weekend in Hervey Bay

When you want a beach holiday without the crowds, fresh produce without the price tag, and landscapes worthy of a National Geographic cover, Hervey Bay’s got your back. Less than four hours from Brisbane, it's the perfect coastal getaway. 

If you’ve a long weekend up your sleeve, get yourself to Hervey Bay for a serve of sun, sand, seafood and soulfulness.

Saturday

7am: Road trip to Hervey Bay

If you’re coming from Brisbane, make your way north up the Pacific Coast Way. The drive itself is incredibly therapeutic. Pass through stretches of dense pine forests and pineapple fields, and make a pit stop at SoMa SoMa Espresso in the quaint country town of Gympie for coffee and cake.

Of course, if you have extra time up your sleeve, take the back roads instead. 

11am: Feel the magic in Maryborough

Literature lovers will know Mary Poppins, but they may not know Maryborough is her birthplace. The town is conveniently located en route to Hervey Bay, so take the chance to wander the streets that inspired PL Travers to pen the infamous nanny’s story.

There are a number of themed cafes, murals, and regular Poppins tours, but it’s the town’s architecture—City Hall’s bell tower and the miniature railway that cuts through Queens Park in particular—that brings PL Travers’ magic to life.

1pm: Head beachside for lunch with a side of ocean views

First things first on a long weekend in Hervey Bay; fuel up at Enzo’s on the Beach. Boasting uninterrupted views (courtesy of an enviable beachfront location), find a spot on the back deck and take a load off with a long lunch.

2pm: Check into your accommodation

For a room with a view, check into Mantra Hervey Bay. Overlooking the marina and Great Sandy Strait, the sizeable balcony makes the most of the birds-eye-view of the yacht hardware moored in the marina below. 

If you’re spending most of your long weekend in Hervey Bay at the beach, rest your head at the Grand Mecure Allegra Apartments or Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa.

5pm: Take a sunset stroll along a historical pier

Built in the early 1900s, Hervey Bay’s historic Urangan Pier is 1km of breeze-catching, vantage-point viewing pleasure. Tread the boards for breathtaking vistas of the esplanade - best enjoyed with a scoop of ice cream in hand - and one of the region’s best spots for fishing. BYO rod and drop a line at any point along the pier for guaranteed bites.

Those in the mood for a longer leg stretch should make their way to Pier Park, adjacent to the pier. The starting point for Hervey Bay’s environmental walk and cycle way, it runs all the way from the esplanade to Point Vernon and is bursting with ocean views.

7:30pm: Indulge in locally sourced feast 

Make reservations at Odyssey Bistro in Scarness for a truly local dining experience that begins with hand-sealed menus. A Hervey Bay favourite, this elegant yet casual restaurant ticks all the boxes with sustainably sourced ingredients served with views of the bay. No two visits to Odyssey Bistro are the same.

Sunday

7am: Get an early start at Eat at Dan & Steph's

When on a long weekend in Hervey Bay, do like the locals and break the fast at My Kitchen Rules winners Dan & Steph’s aptly named café, Eat at Dan & Steph’s.

A mix of breakfast classics using the region’s incredible produce and old favourites with a twist. Dan’s house-made Italian sausages are a hit on the Benny, and the sweet potato hush puppies will make you want to have room for a second helping. But sweet tooths shouldn't go past the red velvet hotcakes, drizzled in salted caramel sauce. 

If you’re keen to hit up another local favourite with all-day breakfast options, grab a table at Bayaroma in Torquay: breakfast beachside is what long weekends are for.

8am: Day trip to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island)

No long weekend to Hervey Bay is complete without a visit to World Heritage-listed K'gari. While there’re plenty of ways to explore the island in a day, Tasman Venture’s Remote Island Tours takes it up a notch; exploring the remote western side of the island and sands, its crystal-clear creeks and national park walks.

6pm: Keep it simple

After a big day exploring the world's largest sand island, take it easy with a relaxed sunset picnic near the pier.

You'll find classic fish and chips take away shops along the esplanade. Sample the freshest catch of the day or snap up some local prawns and Hervey Bay scallops.

Monday

7am: Come eye to eye with humpback whales

Each year, thousands of humpback whales visit the Fraser Coast during their migration from Antarctica. This stretch of coastline is the whale-watching capital of Australia, and the world's first official Whale Heritage Site.

If your long weekend in Hervey Bay falls between June-November, you’ll likely be sharing the seas with these majestic mammals. The best way to get up close with the humpback whales is with a tour guide. There are dozens of whale watching operators in the area offering half and full-day trips into the bay. Some even let you swim with the whales.

While there are dozens of vantage points on land to see whales leaping out of the ocean, there's nothing more exhilarating than watching alongside as they breach, feed and play with their new calves. Trust us. Brave the seas.

3pm: Take one last beach walk and sea dip

Before wrapping up a perfect long weekend in Hervey Bay, put sand between your toes and salt water in your hair at Scarness Beach. The sheltered conditions in the bay make for ideal ocean dips and walks along the sand.

Want to stay a little longer? Take one of these day trips from Hervey Bay. If you've got the kids in tow, here's a family holiday guide.