Hervey Bay Attractions  


Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens, in Elizabeth Street , Urangan are unusual in being built on the 6,000 year old former sand dunes. The Botanic Gardens are located on Elizabeth Street , Urangan, adjacent to the Urangan Shopping Centre.

Burrum District Museum
A collection of natural and cultural artefacts located at the Burrum and District Heritage Centre in Burrum Street , Howard.

Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and a World Heritage Site. The original name for Fraser Island is ‘K'Gari' meaning paradise. Fraser Island is approximately 125 kilometres from north to south. Airborne nutrients and seeds have accumulated until vegetation could gain a hold, and then the decaying vegetable matter has allowed other plants and trees to grow, and forests have sprung up. Not all of Fraser Island is covered with vegetation some is composed of shifting dunes. There are no surfaced roads on Fraser Island . The beach acts as the main north south highway, with tracks crossing the island. A four-wheel-drive is a necessity.

Basin Lake
Basin Lake has slightly acidic waters which support seven species of frog, freshwater turtles and the Australian grebe.

Central Station
Originally a forestry township with a short boardwalk to Wanggoolba Creek. Central Station has camping facilities and an Information Centre.

Eli Creek
The largest freshwater creek and fun to float down.

Lake Mckenzie
The largest lake on Fraser Island and has a camp site here.

Lake Wabby
Deepest of Fraser Island lakes.

Lake Allom
A small lake with tortoises.

The Cathedrals
Towering cliffs of multicoloured sands eroded by the wind.

The Champagne Pools at Middle Rocks
Rock pools with bubbling seawater and good for swimming at low tide.

Maheno Wreck
The Maheno lies buried in sand north of happy valley

Mt Boomanjin
Mt. Boomanjin at 211 metres the highest point in this part of the island with Lake Boomanjin at the bottom.

Reaching Fraser Island
Access is by ferry (‘barge'), or by a short flight which lands on the beach of the island at low tide. From Urangan, the harbour at the eastern point of the bay one barge goes. to Moon Point. There is nothing on the shore at this point. There is just a beach and a track leading inland, so unless you have transport, you are now stuck there until the next barge service comes along. The other service from Urangan goes to Kingfisher Bay , where there is a resort built. There are further ferry services from River Heads, but the problem here is that River Heads is fourteen kilometres south of Hervey Bay and there is no public transport available.

There are many day tours and accommodation is available on Fraser Island . Camping on Fraser Island is permitted, but there are some restrictions. In the interior of the island, camping is allowed only at established camp grounds, of which there are several. On the beaches, camping is permitted, but not within 50 metres of a waterway.

Hervey Bay Museum and Pioneer Village
The Museum is situated at 13 Zephyr Street , Scarness and is open every Friday Saturday and Sunday from 1pm until 5pm and every afternoon over holiday periods. (07 4128 4804)

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is a modern, purpose-designed building hosting touring exhibitions from state and national galleries as well as promoting the works of artists from within the local region. Located at 161 Old Maryborough Road (07 4197 4210).

Maryborough
When Queensland became an independent state in 1859, this was a major port of entry. A town with strong history and a number of historical buildings. St. Paul 's Anglican Church built in 1852; City Hall. Built in 1908 in American Colonial style; the School of Arts constructed in 1887 and Gataker's Building, built in 1868. Maryborough is 30 minutes drive from Hervey Bay . Home of P.L.Travers who wrote Mary Poppins.

Maryborough is home of Walkers Limited, built in 1873, their first steam locomotive named the Mary Ann. A replica of the Mary Ann engine hauls trains through Queens Park on the last Sunday of every month. Walkers built the Tilt Train now used by Queensland Railways.

Reef World
A small aquarium in Urangan. (07 4128 9828).

Whale Watching
Whales come here to be viewed for three months of the year - August to October. They are returning from their annual migration north during the antipodean winter and have already covered 5,000 kilometres by the time they arrive in Hervey Bay for a rest. Some will be mothers travelling with calves. Various boats take visitors out for a look at the whales and rules have been laid down to preserve the safety of these huge mammals.

Tasman Adventurer 1800 620 322
Spirit of Hervey Bay 1800 642544
Whalesong Cruises 1800 689 610
Whale Watch eco cruise 1300 763 739
Hervey Bay Whale Watch 07 4128 9611

 

 

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