Top Hervey Bay Outdoor Activities

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.

Spot humpback whales swimming and playing in their natural environment on this half-day Hervey Bay catamaran cruise. Observe the majestic sea creatures using the boat’s underwater viewing windows or listen to the whales sing using the onboard hydrophones. Learn all about the gentle giants from your expert guide, then tuck into morning or afternoon tea as you watch the whales from the deck.

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.

Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking on UNESCO-listed K’gari on this full-day trip from Hervey Bay. Spot dolphins, swim with turtles, then discover the island’s wild side on a bush walk. After the included buffet lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon kayaking or snorkeling the island’s beaches and bays. Even look out for migrating humpback whales between mid-July and October.

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.

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.

Some call Hervey Bay the Whale Watch Capital of the World for the migrating humpbacks which glide through between July and late October. Marvel at these playful 44-ton (40-tonne) mammals from the comfortable MV Amaroo catamaran with guaranteed sightings (conditions apply). While packages include morning or afternoon tea on board.

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.

Search for whales during this 8-hour wildlife-watching tour from Hervey Bay. Aboard a fully equipped catamaran that can accommodate up to 24 guests, sail out to Fraser Island's Platypus Bay. Climb on to the submerged platform to view whales in the water at a safe distance, and use the boat's hydrophone to hear their songs. Tea and a buffet lunch included.

Early evening is a special time to be on the water. As everyone else heads for harbour marine wildlife comes out to play. You'll find the peacefulness of the water perfectly reflecting the evening light, and the lights of Hervey Bay twinkling in the distance mesmerising.

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.

Seeing much of K'gari (Fraser Island) is hard without your own 4-wheel-drive vehicle to drive along its beaches, but that’s not a worry with this 4WD tour. Over two days, swim in lakes, climb sand dunes, and explore the rainforest, all between taking turns driving. Spend the evening with a roof over your head in shared rooms at a beach house on the island.

Enjoy a sunset cruise on Hervey Bay that includes gourmet food and a glass of beer or wine. Cruise the waters between the mainland and Fraser Island while watching a colorful sunset, perhaps spotting dolphins and sea turtles near the boat. As the sun sets and the lights sparkle along the Hervey Bay waterfront, the crew serves generous platters of hot and cold dishes on deck. Sip a complimentary glass of beer, wine or soda upon boarding, and have the option to purchase additional drinks.

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.

Set sail for a quintessential Aussie beach adventure with a half-day cruise to beautiful K’gari (Fraser Island). Look out for dolphins and sea turtles as you cruise out across Hervey Bay, then enjoy free time to explore the island. Swim, take a beach walk, or opt to kayak, fish, or snorkel. Back on board, tuck into a BBQ lunch, including fresh Hervey Bay prawns, on the return cruise.

Enjoy an evening under pink Queensland skies on this sunset sail around Hervey Bay, with beautiful views of UNESCO World Heritage–listed K’gari. Leave the logistics to the experts, with hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off, all-inclusive drinks—including sparkling wine—and delicious finger foods all included. All you have to do is relax and soak up the view.