Top Hervey Bay Art & Culture

Maximize your chances of seeing whales off the coast of Hervey Bay with this morning or afternoon half-day cruise. Ride the sheltered waters of Platypus Bay in a stable catamaran that offers superior comfort and clear views of passing marine life, which may also includes dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and perhaps even a dingo on the sandy beach at Fraser Island.

Maximize your chances of spotting whales on this half-day cruise from Hervey Bay. Hop aboard a purpose-built vessel designed for comfort, visibility, and responsible eco-tourism, and listen as the crew guides you through close-up whale encounters and shares insights into their behavior. Listen to whales sing via an onboard hydrophone, and watch for other marine life as you cruise the bay.

Many whale-watching tours only allow you to see the majestic creatures from a distance, but on this Fraser Island tour you’ll get the chance to swim with them. Visit the more remote parts of the island that many visitors skip, and have fun bushwalking, snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. On board the boat, look out for humpback whales and, if the conditions are right, take a dip in the sea beside them.

The Mary Valley Rattler steam train is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most memorable experiences. Enjoy a more premium adventure on this journey that includes a plate of local cheese, a newspaper, and water. Share a booth with other travelers—unless your booking is for four or more guests, when your own booth is provided. On your return to the station, relax with a 2-course meal and a glass of something.

Travel back in time to the golden era of train travel with a journey on the Mary Valley Heritage Railway. Experience the old world nostalgia as soon as you step into the historic Gympie Station, where you’ll learn about the history of steam locomotives before boarding the Mary Valley Rattler. Enjoy the countryside views as you head out to Amamoor, where the train is turned around for the journey back.

Exploring K’gari’s vast landscapes in a single day can be challenging without the right transport and local knowledge, but this full-day guided tour makes it easy to see the island’s highlights. Depart early in a custom 4WD and spend the day visiting key sites such as Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, and the Maheno shipwreck. With a local leading the way, learn about the island’s unique plant and animal life while enjoying time at its freshwater lakes, rainforest, and coastline.

Get a new perspective on Queensland's Great Sandy Straits Marine Park by cruising through its clear waters in a glass-bottom boat. See an abundance of marine life among the coral reefs, including turtles, dolphins, and possibly a reef shark or dugong. Make several stops along the way for snorkeling and swimming.

Experience the marine life of the Great Sandy Strait and K’gari on a morning dolphin-watching tour from Hervey Bay. Ride aboard a smaller boat that allows for a more personalized experience as you look for two dolphin species, sea turtles, and other animals. The tour includes time for boom-netting and a swim at K’gari (in the warmer months), and morning tea is served on board.

Enjoy a full-day whale-watching tour from Hervey Bay that visits Platypus Bay, a prime location for whale-watching near K'Gari. Have plenty of time to witness the majestic humpback whales at play as they pass Australia during their annual migration to Antarctica. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea and a delicious lunch buffet. Learn about the whales and the marine environment from your crew’s informative commentary.