Only 90 minutes north of Tin Can Bay, Hervey Bay is of course most closely associated with its awe-inspiring whale watching.  Between July and November visitors have a range of tours to choose from to get close to the magnificent humpback whales as they make their regular stop on their migration back to Antarctica.  But once the whales leave for the season, there is still plenty on offer in peaceful, picturesque Hervey Bay.

Unsurprisingly, fishing is hugely popular, with plenty of charter vessels offering deep sea and continental shelf fishing.  Alternatively you can fish from the shore or off one of the small jetties along the Esplanade, or walk the one kilometre out to the end of the long jetty.  Other water-based activities such as sailing, diving, kayaking and water-skiing are all readily available, and the pristine beach and calm waters are ideal for swimmers of all ages.

Continuing the water theme is the brand new WetSide Water Education Park, which opened in December 2009 as part of Queensland’s 150^th anniversary celebrations.  Supplied by recycled rainwater from the city’s stormwater network, the water park features “hundreds of spouts and jets, fountains, interactive play equipment, water slides, surfing, a special play area for under-5’s called TotSide, tipping buckets, music and a giant water screen. The site also includes a coffee shop, viewing decks and boardwalks, educational displays, amenities blocks and the pay-per-use Board Rider wave machine.”  Admission to the park is free, with a 10 minute session on the FlipSide Board Rider wave machine costing $5.

Aside from the abundance of water-based pursuits, Hervey Bay offers a range of activities to suit pretty much everyone such as golf, horse riding, lawn bowls, go karting and even skydiving.  A 14-kilometre cycle track traces the foreshore, and gas BBQs are available for use all along the Esplanade. 

Explore the cultural side of the area at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.  Located in the city’s heart, the gallery hosts “high-quality touring exhibitions from state and national galleries as well as promoting the works of artists from within our region”.  Entry to the gallery is free and it is open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays and exhibition installation days).

Feed lorikeets in the Botanical Gardens, visit Neptune’s Reefworld natural reef aquarium, play mini-golf or spend your money at the art and craft markets – there are plenty of alternatives to whale watching in the off-season in Hervey Bay.  And of course Fraser Island is only a skip across the water…

With thanks to www.discoverherveybay.com