Fraser Coast

Described as a holiday playground blessed by nature, you’ll find long sandy beaches, relaxing island retreats, abundant marine life and pristine parks along the Fraser Coast.

Couple this with recreational pursuits, eco adventure activities and historic explorations, and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven in this destination peppered with diversity and natural beauty.

Almost 100,000 people live in this 7,116.7 square metre region which encompasses Fraser Island, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, the Fraser Coast Hinterland and the Great Sandy Strait.

And it’s accessible for tourists with a regional airport at Hervey Bay as well as road and rail links.

More than 660,000 visitors flock to this subtropical haven of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island each year which is renowned for its whale watching tours and bird watching, 4WD tours, fishing, and island and coastal adventures.

Top things to do:

• Hop aboard a whale watching tour at Hervey Bay during the season from July to November to watch these majestic marine mammals at play. Or swim with the whales for the ultimate up-close-and-personal marine encounter.
• Charter a boat to experience the breathtaking beauty of the world's largest coral reef. Snorkel and dive amongst pristine coral reefs and encounter an array of marine life, including sea turtles, colourful tropical fish, and manta rays on Lady Elliot Island. 
• Explore 'Roy Rufus' in Hervey Bay, the largest artificial reef in the southern hemisphere.
• 4WD the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island; stop to swim in the stunning, crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie; and snap a selfie at the famous Maheno Shipwreck.
• Enjoy spectacular World Heritage-listed Fraser Island from the air on a joy flight.
• Relax in the frothy bubbles of the Fraser Island Champagne Pools – naturally formed pools of volcanic rock.
• Trek through the woodlands and subtropical rainforest of the Fraser Island Great Walk.
• Head out for a half-day tour to watch pods of dolphins frolic along the coast of the Great Sandy Strait.
• Explore the historic buildings, theatres and museums of Maryborough on a two-hour scenic tour of the heritage city.

How to get there:

• Fly direct to the Fraser Coast from Brisbane or Sydney airports. The Fraser Coast Airport is located 10 minutes from the Esplanade in Hervey Bay.
• The Fraser Coast is just three hours drive north of Brisbane.
• Queensland Rail operates regular services from Brisbane, Rockhampton and Cairns to the Fraser Coast. 
• Greyhound and Premier buses operate several services from Brisbane and Cairns each day through Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Childers.