Top Hervey Bay Art & Culture

Discover Fraser Island's highlights on a full-day tour with an experienced guide that includes time to swim in pristine lakes, hit the beach, and explore the rainforest. Visit iconic spots including Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, the Maheno shipwreck, and the Pinnacles. Learn about the animal and plant life both on land and in the ocean, where dolphins, dugongs, sharks, and humpback whales can be spotted. Depart early from Hervey Bay and travel by 4WD-vehicle on this comprehensive Fraser Island tour.

Enjoy a premium half-day whale-watching tour from Hervey Bay that visits Platypus Bay, a prime location for whale watching near Fraser Island. Have plenty of time to witness the majestic humpback whales at play as they pass the Australian continent during their annual migration to the Antarctic. Your tour includes morning tea, a tropical buffet lunch, and an afternoon tea with a fruit and cheese platter. Learn about the whales and the marine environment from your crew's informative commentary during the tour.

Go whale-watching from Hervey Bay on your choice of a 4-hour or 5.5-hour cruise. Ride the sheltered waters of Platypus Bay in a stable catamaran that offers superior comfort and clear views of the whales. You are likely to also see dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and perhaps even a dingo on the sandy beach at Fraser Island. The tour includes complimentary morning or afternoon tea, and the longer tour includes lunch and tea.

Hervey Bay is the gateway to Fraser Island and the Great Sandy National Park, and some of the best views are from the water. With this evening cruise, set sail at sunset and admire the views as you cruise along the Sandy Straits. Sip an included glass of Champagne, look out for dolphins along the coast, and perhaps even enjoy live music performed onboard (select dates only).

Set sail for a quintessential Aussie beach adventure with this 5-hour cruise to beautiful Fraser Island. Look out for dolphins and sea turtles as you cruise out across Hervey Bay, then enjoy up to 2 hours of free time to explore Fraser Island. Make the most of optional activities like kayaking, fishing or snorkeling; cool off with a swim or stroll along the fine sandy beaches. Back on-board, tuck into a scrumptious BBQ lunch, including fresh Hervey Bay prawns, as you float back to the mainland.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales, and getting close to them, on this guided tour from Hervey Bay. In a small group of no more than 20 people, head out into the water in search of whales. Jump into the water for some snorkeling and, with luck, the whales will decide to swim close to you.

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.

Enjoy an unforgettable close encounter with the marine life of Hervey Bay on this 4-5-hour cruise, including hotel pick-up. Step aboard the specially designed MV Whalesong and discover the bay’s majestic whales and dolphins with the help of an expert crew. As well as guaranteed whale sightings, you’ll have chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles and endangered dugong, plus a rainbow of tropical fish.

Named K’Gari (paradise) by the local Aborigines, Fraser Island features more than 100 freshwater lakes, extensive rain forests, and giant sand dunes. Explore the island with an expert guide who leads rainforest walks at Pile Valley, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, and the Hammerstone Sandblow, and provides swimming opportunities at Eli Creek, Lake McKenzie, the Champagne Pools, and Lake Wabby. Stay overnight at a lodge on Seventy-Five Mile Beach, see the Pinnacles and Maheno shipwreck, and have the option to book a scenic sightseeing flight on this fun and informative 2-day tour.

Celebrate the history of the Mary Valley Rattler and experience the magic of heritage rail travel. All aboard! @maryvalleyrattler  #maryvalleyrattler  
 Rediscover the magic of a bygone era aboard the historic Mary Valley Rattler. 
The Mary Valley Rattler fleet is made up of heritage steam & diesel locomotives, rail motors and carriages each with their own unique story. 
The historic Gympie Station on Tozer St, has been restored to its former glory. Make sure you arrive early enough to take time to wander through the station where you can learn the stories of the Mary Valley Rattler line, its people, and its history. The popular Rusty Rails Cafe offers a dine in experience before or after your rail journey, or you can buy take away treats to enjoy on board. You can even purchase a bottle of wine and a local cheese platter for the ride. The gift shop offers a selection of local goodies as well as speciality giftware and souvenirs.

Celebrate the history of the Mary Valley Rattler and experience the magic of heritage rail travel. All aboard! @maryvalleyrattler  #maryvalleyrattler  
 Hop on board the vintage railmotor RM76 which traditionally ran the Brooloo line to Gympie providing a daily link to the town for shopping, the transportation of goods and a means for children to get to school. Sit back and relax as you begin your nostalgic rail journey through one of the most beautiful parts of Queensland. Our region boasts great produce and producers. Enjoy a tasting plate on board featuring local fare and learn about the food bowl that is the Mary Valley on board as you cross the Mary River as you travel around an abundance of curves, over bridges and numerous gentle hills.

Our Sandy Straits Scenic & Wildlife cruise is a unique, 5hr cruise into the heart of the internationally protected Great Sandy Marine Park - the only tour to explore the southern expanses of the park. We'll visit cultural and historic destinations such as; Woody Island, North White Cliffs, Ungowa and Garry's Anchorage (located approximately halfway to Tin Can Bay). All whilst keeping our eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife that frequents the area and maybe the elusive Fraser Island Dingo or dugong! Experience the beauty of the area as we cruise past swathes of mangrove, sand cliffs and sand flats abound with sea and birdlife. Learn the history of early settlers and logging of the region and the Ramsar wetland of international importance under marine park protection. Seabirds and shorebirds are a vibrant feature of this World Heritage area. They occupy a range of habitats, including the mouths of creeks and estuaries, rocky ocean foreshores, sand spits, and sandy beaches.

This premium experience includes a morning briefing with the train crew, morning tea, return steam train footplate cab ride, Mary Valley Rattler high vis vest, cap, pin, lunch with the crew, certificate and Go Pro footage of the journey. All guests will be included in the Footplate Friends Gallery on the organisation’s website.