Is Hervey Bay Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Families Say Yes

When people ask where to take the kids in Queensland, Hervey Bay isn’t always the first place that comes to mind. Is Hervey Bay worth visiting? There are a lot of reasons why it should be! From calm beaches to world-famous wildlife encounters, this chilled-out coastal town has a way of turning first-timers into lifelong fans, with many a family hoping to make the move permanently after their visit. I should know, I live here myself!

With its mild weather and long coastline of calm ocean, it’s particularly suitable for families with kids. From a free waterpark to world-class whale sightings and access to K’gari (Fraser Island), it truly is a must-visit destination. So, if I haven’t convinced you already, here are 10 reasons why Hervey Bay is worth visiting.

#1. It’s home to some of the safest beaches in Queensland

The beach stretches for kilometres and with thanks to nearby K’gari (Fraser Island), the ocean waters are sheltered and calm. There is heaps of soft sand for the kids, and if your kids aren’t confident swimmers yet, low tide brings shallow puddles to splash around in at some of the beaches.

#2. The Esplanade is a kid-friendly adventure zone

The esplanade stretches for 14 km alongside the ocean from Urangan to Point Vernon. Walk, skate, scoot or ride your bike either the whole length or sections at a time…the choice is yours!  Free parks (including a free water park) and exercise equipment are spread along the length of the esplanade, as well as plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee or ice cream.

#3. K’gari (Fraser Island) is right next door

K’gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world and home to some very unique and beautiful features.  This heritage-listed island is a ‘must see’ and will no doubt be one of the highlights of a family trip to Hervey Bay.  You can head over with your own 4WD and camping gear, stay in one of the resorts or join a tour so you don’t miss out on any of the highlights.

I will go so far as to confidently say that Fraser Island is not only a highlight of this area, but one of the highlights of Australia!

#4. You can actually relax – it’s not crowded

With a population of just under 70,000, Hervey Bay is large enough to have everything you need, but small enough that the beaches are not crowded and you can usually get a parking spot at the shops. Although you will experience congestion in peak times (the school run), you won’t have to deal with the frustration of traffic jams and paid parking.

#5. The whale watching here is world-class

Hervey Bay isn’t known as the whale watch capital of Australia for nothing!  If you visit between late July and early November, expect to see whales up close and personal on one of the regular whale watching boats.  

Unlike other coastal towns where the whales pass by, the whales use Hervey Bay’s sheltered bay as a stopover for a few days to rest, play and socialise before continuing their migration.

#6. There’s a huge range of family accommodation

From camping on the esplanade in a caravan park to five-star resorts, there really is something to suit all budgets. We think it’s great to stay on the Esplanade, so it’s only a quick hop and skip across the road to the water.

#7. The weather is mild year-round

The weather is pretty mild with an average high of 21 degrees in Winter and an average high of 30 degrees in Summer.  It’s not uncommon for Hervey Bay to get seasonal visitors escaping either the heat from up north or the cold from down south.

#8. The iconic Urangan Pier is great for walks and fishing

The Urangan Pier is a highlight. It stretches for nearly 1km and, as a result, is one of the longest in Australia.  A family stroll to the end gives great views of the Hervey Bay coastline, and you may even spot pods of dolphins, stingrays and schools of fish.

Bring your fishing gear (or buy some here) and try your hand at catching some whiting from the pier. The kids will love learning to fish from here!

#9. Wetside Waterpark is FREE

Wetside Water Park is a FREE waterpark on the Esplanade.  Yes…that’s right.  Free. No gold coin donation.  Nothing. The park has a special area called Totside for under-fives and a larger area for older kids. However, if you want to have a go at the Aqua Ninja Adventure Course or the big water slides, you’ll need to cough up a few dollars.

There is a busy fish and chip shop on site as well as Bean Beat, one of the best coffee/cafe shops in Hervey Bay.

The park closes for maintenance over Winter and usually reopens again in September. My only gripe is that it doesn’t open until 10 am, which is when early rising toddlers start getting tired. Check out the Fraser Coast City Council’s website here for opening hours and information.

#10. You’ll find plenty of free and easy fun

The beach, the pier, the esplanade, the waterpark….it’s all free.  You can also visit the botanical gardens, walk along one of the smaller jetties or visit the Arkarra Tea Gardens.

So, is Hervey Bay worth visiting?

So, is Hervey Bay worth visiting? Yes. Absolutely! Hervey Bay strikes a great balance between being large enough to have everything you need and offers a range of accommodation, but it’s not so big that you’re fighting for carparks and beach space. The esplanade is really the region’s crowning glory, and once you’ve spent a day enjoying the beachfront here, you’ll wonder why it’s not on more people’s bucket list.

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