Trailerboat guide to Hervey Bay
Your ultimate boating and fishing destination

Hear the words “Hervey Bay” and most people think of two things – whales and watching. The tranquil South Queensland waterway is a renowned rest stop on the humpback highway and therefore the best place in Australia, if not the world, to see the gentle giants taking a breather between July and late-October.

There are far worse things to be associated with, of course, but it does tend to typecast a region from a visitor perspective when there are eight more months to consider. Can you, in fact, have a whale of a time when the whales are elsewhere?

The answer is an emphatic “yes” if you have a boat in tow and time to explore the stunning bays and beaches of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the wider UNESCO-recognised Great Sandy Biosphere.

Locals claim it’s the ultimate smooth-water trailerboat cruising destination and fishery, with the world’s largest sand island providing 120km of protection against swells and easterly winds.

Such is the diversity, you can choose between estuary fishing, beach fishing, reef fishing, pelagic fishing, impoundment fishing … or no fishing, just cruising.

Visitors can partake in wreck and reef diving, bareboat sailing charters, wilderness tours, cultural experiences and more. To swim with manta rays and turtles, the sublime Southern Great Barrier Reef coral cay of Lady Elliot Island is a 40-minute flight away.

If nature-spotting is your thing, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter dugongs and the odd Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. Saltwater crocs are apparently lurking, presumably to munch on the fat barramundi in Hervey Bay’s tributaries.

Urangan Pier, jutting 868m from shore, is one of the longest and most historic in Australia. Between 1917 and 1985 it served as an export facility; nowadays it’s simply a favourite of land-based fishos.

More remnants of the colonial past and industrial heritage can be found 30km inland at Maryborough on the banks of the Mary River.

Hervey Bay’s beachfront retains a classic coastal holiday vibe. As an example, an esplanade and walking track run 16km from Urangan Boat Harbour to Gatakers Bay, linking Torquay, Scarness and Pialba. It’s the most central and scenic place to stay, and also worth a drive to get your bearings.

Kids will love the WetSide Water Park and nearby skate bowl and climbing equipment, while parents can grab a picnic table with water views.

The hinterland is also worth exploring for its environmental beauty and solitude. The aforementioned Mary River is the sole home of Mary River cod and a vital habitat for Queensland lungfish. Also, those who remember the so-called ‘penny turtle’ can find these elusive creatures exclusively living in the waterway.

Tiaro is another highlight, its backroads lined by swaying cane to feed the Bundaberg rum distillery that’s 100km north. Hiking tracks lead to creeks and waterholes for swimming, paddling and fishing. 

Speaking of fishing, a boat ramp at Tiaro’s Petrie Park is the launch pad for tackling barra, as well as bass, bream, grunter, eels, spangled perch and mullet.

Petrie is one of 23 ramps managed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council -- six are within Hervey Bay; Maryborough has nine. The four major ramps are at Urangan Boat Harbour, Gatakers Bay (Point Vernon), River Heads and, 30 minutes north, Burrum Heads.

For impoundment opportunities head to Lenthalls Dam, 50 minutes from town and accessible via a dirt road (a boat cover and a 4WD is recommended). The town of Gin Gin has Lake Monduran, brimming with barra, bass and catfish.

Where northern waters can get too hot through summer, and southern waters too cold in winter, there’s a 12-month revolving door of fish species coming and going from Hervey Bay with the seasons. You’ll never be idle, assures Dane Radosevic from  Fisho’s Tackle World Hervey Bay.

February to May sees a run of northern bluefin (longtail) tuna, then snapper take over during late April to June, noting that the season is closed from 15 July to 15 August each year. August through October is the peak time for flathead and whiting, along with tailor.

Barra kick off in spring and the season closes November 1 to January 31. Adds Radosevic: “The big thing about our barra fishery is we have a larger-than-average size.”

As October and November roll around, Hervey Bay becomes one of the only destinations in the world where juvenile black marlin are caught on the estuarine sand flats.

If you’d rather forget the reel and just relax, families are also spoilt for choice with swimming spots. High among them are Pelican Banks, Coongal Creek or Kingfisher Bay Resort. Grab a pizza for lunch at the latter, then head back mid-afternoon.

Of course, beware the whales and take particular care during glary or low-light periods.

Hervey Bay Sailing Club and Maryborough Sailing Club are the hubs for trailable sailing dinghies and catamarans, both situated between Scarness and Torquay.

The 44th running of the iconic Bay to Bay Race for trailer yachts will be hosted by Hervey Bay Sailing Club in May this year (2025), the two-day event covering 90km through Tin Can Bay, Wide Bay Harbour and the Great Sandy Straits.

The Great Sandy Strait, stretching 70km between K’gari and the mainland, boasts a plethora of bays, sandy cays and islands that make it a mecca for trailer sailers and cruising catamarans. Deep keelers can generally navigate safely on a rising tide, despite shifting banks.

If you prefer to leave your boat at home, Fraser Island Boat Charters and Sweet Escape Yacht Charters both offer bareboat, skippered and guided sailing and power catamarans to explore K’gari in comfort. They’re based at Great Sandy Straits Marina, Urangan.

Great Sandy Straits Marina is sizeable, harbouring 176 wet berths for recreational vessels plus two resorts (Mantra and Breakfree) and various restaurants, shops and tour companies. 

Next door, Fishermans Wharf offers a 138-berth marina and comprehensive repair and maintenance facilities, including two travelifts.

The Fraser Coast has a feast of other culinary options, ranging from bush tucker to fine-dining restaurants. Its scallops and prawns are savoured by seafood connoisseurs far and wide, and there are local oddities such as lychee liqueurs and wines. Signature dishes often include fresh oysters and local cheeses.

Odyssey Bistro and Banksia Seafood Bar and Grill are two celebrated dining spots in Hervey Bay with a relaxed ambiance. Aquavue Café and Enzo’s on the Beach are pleasant waterfront eateries along the Esplanade.

During my visit, I lunched at the Bayswater Bar and Grill at Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa and can vouch for the burgers. For pub grub, we headed to the Beach House Hotel at Scarness and came away full and content. It was easy walking distance from the Edens by the Bay apartments, where we stayed.

If that’s not enough, Hervey Bay has an award-winning Historical Village and Museum, Reefworld Aquarium, botanic gardens, regional art gallery, rail trail and more. Wineries, distilleries and bakeries are all on its outskirts.

Then, of course, there’s whale-watching, by the hour, by the day. And an almost equal number of K’gari tours. It seems criminal to come here and not see whales but I did just that and drove home more than satisfied. 

Fraser Coast visitor informaton: visitfrasercoast.com

Boat ramps: frasercoast.qld.gov.au/boat-ramps

Beacon to Beacon guides: msq.qld.gov.au

Marine rescue: mrq.qld.gov.au/mrq-hervey-bay

Bait and tackle: fishostackleworld.com.au

Great Sandy Straits Marina: greatsandystraitsmarina.com.au

Fishermans Wharf: fishermanswharfmarinaherveybay.com.au