Hervey Bay is recognised as one of the best destinations in the world to watch, experience and interact with whales. Often called the “Whale Watch Capital of the World”, several geographical and physical conditions align to present optimal conditions for humans and whales to interact.

Platypus Bay is bounded by Fraser Island and the mainland creating almost 450 square miles of relatively shallow and mostly calm waters for the whales and their newborn calves to stop and play. These protected waters in the lee of Fraser Island offer the whales a natural sanctuary to pause on their way back to Antarctica in order to teach, feed and prepare their young.

Whales migrate north in the winter to give birth (and then mate), as their young are born without the insulating blubber that protects them from the frigid waters of the Antarctic. They travel north until they encounter water warm enough for the birth of their calves (somewhere close to the Whitsunday Islands).  Gestation period for a whale is a perfect 11 – 12 months, allowing them to birth and then mate in the warmer northern waters. They then bring their newborn young into the sheltered waters off Hervey Bay in order to feed them and build their strength for the long journey back to their feeding grounds in Antarctica.

Why Whale Watching in Hervey Bay?

There are many whale watch tours on offer on the east coast of Australia, however in all destinations other than Hervey Bay the whales are in transit – they are on a mission heading north (to give birth and mate) or south (to get home to feed). They do not stop, pause or rest anywhere else on the east coast other than Hervey Bay, and as a result the whale “watching” and “sightings” in other destinations are often only a series of misty “blows”, surface humps and dorsal fins.

The prevailing south-easterly to north-easterly winds put the whale watching grounds of Platypus Bay in the lee of Fraser Island, offering comfortable and calm waters for visitors to be amazed by up-close encounters with humpback and sometimes minke whales.

Whales are naturally inquisitive creatures, and the newborn young are fascinated by boats and the attention of viewing “humans”. Off Hervey Bay it is just as much “people watching” by the whales as “whale watching” by the people!

While the whales are pausing to rest, holiday and feed their young they put on a great show for visitors! Lunging, breaching, tail slapping and spy hopping are regular experiences on EVERY cruise in Hervey Bay (rather than a treat for other destinations along the coast). The playful young trying out their new aerial skills coupled with the huge male bulls trying to impress the females in their competition for mating partners provides amazing action-packed experiences for whale watchers, often only metres from the boats.

The whale watch vessels travel out into the Bay until they encounter whales and then turn off their engines. The calm waters mean the boats can sit comfortably while the whales come over and often spend hours playfully circling and engaging with their newfound friends. Guests have regularly been “snotted on”, as whales blow so close to the boat you can experience that “special” connection that cannot be had anywhere else but Hervey Bay!

Another unique Hervey Bay experience is whale karaoke! The boats all have hydrophones that they can drop into the water to listen to the whales sing, which is an awesome experience! (Only the males sing, and they only sing in warm shallow waters. It is thought this is a mating ritual.)

When to come and what trips are best?

The Hervey Bay Whale Watching season runs from late July to the end of October. The boats begin ¾ day “whale search” trips from July 20^th, however the whales can be a long way up the top of the Bay (up to 40 miles) in the early days, and whale sightings are not “guaranteed” until 1^st August. The absolute best time for the most whales and the best action is from the middle of August to the end of September.

There are half day (morning or afternoon) trips that run for 4 hours, ¾ day trips (6 hours) and full day trips (8 hours) on offer, with prices ranging from $110 – $125 for adults, and $300 – $370 for a family of 4. For the half day trips, as far as action is concerned there is not really a preference for morning or afternoons, however it is often calmer in the mornings, particularly in October.

For a half day trip WhaleSong offers a great small group experience, with a meal included in the ticket price (breakfast or lunch, $120 / adult). The boat is licensed to carry 100 passengers but limits this to 60 to ensure optimal viewing for all. WhaleSong launched a new purpose built vessel in 2012. (Wheelchair and pram accessible)

Spirit of Hervey Bay also offers a half day experience and is the biggest boat in the fleet. Licensed to carry 300, the Spirit has 3 viewing decks and underwater viewing windows. If you are concerned with motion or sea sickness, Spirit is the most stable of the vessels. Morning or afternoon tea is included in the ticket price ($110 / adult).

QuickCat rounds out the recommended half day fleet with a wide bodied power catamaran that carries up to 95 passengers. Quickcat has underwater viewing, includes morning or afternoon tea,  and is wheelchair and pram accessible. As the morning cruise travels via Kingfisher Resort on Fraser, I would recommend the afternoon trip if travelling with QuickCat. ($115 / adult)

Freedom III offers a fantastic ¾ day experience with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea included in the ticket price ($125 / adult). This 6 hour cruise departs at 9:30am and returns at approx 3:30pm, allowing a casual start to the day and a sleep-in for those that relish a rest while on holidays!! Freedom is a small group trip (45 passengers) on a spacious 58ft power catamaran with plenty of comfortable viewing space.

For those that love the water and want as much time as possible with the whales Blue Dolphin offers a magnificent full day and small group experience (24 passengers). Blue Dolphin is the only sailing catamaran in the fleet and departs at 7:30am retuning at approx 3:30 – 4:00pm. Meals and refreshments are included in the ticket price ($120 / adult).

All trips offer complimentary transfers from your accommodation and all boats have licensed bars on board.

Whale Watching, Fraser Island and Accommodation Packages

We have some great accommodation and tour packages available for the 2013 Whale Watching Season. If you haven’t visited Fraser Island previously, you should definitely consider adding a full day trip to your plans for another totally different natural experience.

Check out the following great packages for this season …

2 Nights Accommodation plus Whale Watching (for 2 adults) –  $440

2 Nights Accommodation plus Whale Watching plus Full Day Fraser Island Tour (for 2 adults) – $700

Add a 3^rd nights accommodation for only $70!!

Check out our Hervey Bay Whale Watching and Accommodation Packages on our website for full details and pricing.

Hervey Bay is without doubt the Whale Watching Capital of the World, and being able to experience these magnificent creatures so close and in such a personal manner is definitely a bucket-list experience you will NEVER forget!

by Rob Lennon       Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

Top 10 Hervey Bay Things to Do

Urangan Pier

            Hervey Bay’s iconic pier was built in 1913 to take sugar, coal and timber from Maryborough and surrounds. It was originally 1107m in length prior to being decommissioned as a commercial pier in 1985 and shortened to a still impressive 870m. The pier is a lovely walk at any time of day, with a myriad of fisherman and “colourful characters” to entertain you on the way. Enjoy the great views of the western side of Fraser Island, some great photo opportunities at sunset, or hire some fishing gear and throw in a line!

Esplanade

            The 14km bike and walking track that extends the length of the Esplanade and runs along the beach / foreshore is great for a walk, jog or even better – hire some bikes (shop diagonally opposite the pier or from Aquavue Cafe half-way along the Esplanade). There are community BBQs in the parks to enjoy a day on the beach or a picnic in the park!

Swimming / Beaches

            Hervey Bay sits in the lee of Fraser Island, and hence has a calm and protected 12km long north-facing beach. The stinger-free waters are safe for swimming all year round, with an average water temperature between 21 and 26 degrees – often warmer in than out!! To enjoy miles of almost deserted beach, head 10 minutes out of town up the Burrum Heads Road to Dundowran Beach – take the camera for some awesome sunset pics!

Wetside Water Park

            The Water Park is fantastic for families with kids of all ages. Best of all – its free!!! For the slightly older kids there is the Flipside BoardRider Wave Machine right next door which has a small charge per ride ($5). Don’t miss the laser light show at sunset on Friday and Saturday nights (summer months).

Fishing

            With over 1000km2 of protected waters in Platypus Bay, the Fraser Coast offers some of the best and varied fishing experiences of any destination in Australia! Estuary, beach, reef, jetty, pier, fly (fresh and saltwater) and game fishing is on offer all year round. When the whales are here in August – October, the tailor are running off Fraser Island, offering some exciting beach fishing,  and then shortly after in the early summer, black marlin are plentiful around the top of the island. For the weekend fisherman, try the end of the pier, the rock wall at the marina, or the end of the jetty at Toogum. Check out the Fraser Coast Fishing Trails for all the info you need or ask us about organised fishing trips / tours. We have some of the best and well known fishing guides in Australia at your disposal!

On the Water

            Outside of whale watching season there are lots of opportunities to get out on the water. Try a morning dolphin watching cruise (you might also see dugongs!), a Sunday Lunch cruise, a Remote Fraser Island trip up the rarely visited west coast of Fraser, or a relaxing sunset cruise.

            The calm waters along the foreshore are also perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing (catamarans) and kitesurfing. Hire equipment is available from Enzos and Aquavue on the beach side of the Esplanade.

Eating / Drinking

            Hervey Bay has some amazing and varied dining experiences, including one of the top 10 restaurants in all of Queensland – Coast (a must do experience!). I also recommend the Bayswater (upmarket pub opposite the pier), Santinis (Italian), Black Dog Cafe (great small local restaurant), and Enzos On The Beach for breakfast. On Saturday nights the seafood buffet at Kingfisher Resort is great value – $79 per person includes a return jet-cat transfer from Urangan Marina. Don’t forget to try the famous Hervey Bay Scallops!

Discovery Sphere ($7.50)

            This amazing interactive discovery centre opened in late 2012 and is an excellent opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about the great natural wonders of our region. Whales, turtles, Fraser Island, indigenous legends and history and so much more. There is a stunning theatre experience and hands-on animal experiences and nature talks during school holidays. – definitely worth an hour or 2.

Historical Museum ($7)

            Step back in time and see what growing up in regional Australia in the “good old days” was really like! This hidden gem features volunteers dressed in period costumes, over 21 buildings with displays and lots of live demonstrations including rope making, blacksmithing, corn shelling, wood turning etc. Open Friday, Sat, Sun and public and school holidays. You should allow at least 2 hours.

Birdwatching / Gardens / Photography

            There are over 290 species of birds in the Fraser Coast region and over 350 on Fraser Island – a birdwatchers paradise! Check out the Botanic Gardens, Arkarra Lagoons and Dundowran Beach. Whilst at the Botanic Gardens it is worth a visit to the Orchid House which has over 20,000 orchids! You should also check out the traditional Chinese Garden, built with co-operation from our Chinese sister city Leshan. For the photographer, in addition to these locations, it is worth a drive out to Toogum which sits at the mouth of the Beelbi Creek. A little pub / restaurant (Goodeys) is a great place on a Sunday afternoon with live music and a stunning outlook.

Of course, when planning your Hervey Bay getaway, don’t forget to stay at the best and most awarded Hervey Bay Accommodation – the Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge. We would love to have you stay with us, and we are always happy to assist in your holiday planning.

by Rob Lennon                Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

The island is a nature lovers wonderland, with pristine freshwater lakes “perched” atop silicone white sand dunes, a rainforest growing entirely from sand, a 75 mile beach rated as one of the top 10 in the world by visitors, over 350 species of birds, and over 850 species of native plants.

With no sealed roads, the inland sand tracks that weave their way across the island, and the eastern beach “highway” can only be traversed by 4wd vehicles. For those with an adventurous spirit, a love of the outdoors, and a penchant for offroading, Fraser Island is a thrilling 4wd experience.

Fraser Island Self-Drive vs Fraser Island Tour

You will find a lot more detail in one of my previous blog posts, however my advice is usually that if you have the opportunity, it is best to do a guided tour first, then a self-drive adventure on your next visit to Fraser Island. There is so much history, geology and biology to learn about the island, and you will miss this by exploring the island on your own. A day tour to familiarise yourself with the conditions, and to understand all the things that make the island special, will enhance your self-drive experience on a future trip.

If you are considering a self drive, I recommend a minimum of 2 days, but preferably 3 days / 2 nights or more to allow you time to adjust to the regularly challenging driving conditions, and to give time to immerse yourself in the beauty of the island.

Planning a Fraser Island 4wd Self Drive Trip

If you are planning to hire a 4wd vehicle, be aware that you are not permitted to take general hire vehicles on the island. The major rental car companies (Hertz, Europcar etc) have specific clauses in their rental agreements prohibiting their vehicles from driving on Fraser Island. You will need to hire a vehicle from a local hire car company that has 4wd vehicles specifically equipped and set up for driving on Fraser Island. These hire companies in Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach are experienced and knowledgeable about the Island and its driving conditions, and have contingencies to assist if there are problems with the vehicle, if you get “stuck” or if you have an accident. If you hire a 4wd from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, it will generally include all necessary permits and barge crossing fees. You will also get a minimum 1 hour briefing / instruction with a suggested itinerary and a lot of local advice.

If you plan to take your own 4wd to the island you should only do so if it is a genuine high clearance 4wd designed for offroad use. As a rule, if you can’t lock the hubs then your “all wheel drive” city 4wd will not be adequate for handling the extremely challenging conditions on the island. (eg I would NOT take a Rav 4 or Kluger on the island).

The BEST resource when planning your trip is the National Parks website, where you will find all the information you will need for your Fraser Island trip. I will, however, summarise the important information and links below.

Fraser Island Permits

All vehicles accessing the island must have (and display) a vehicle access permit (approx $42). Anyone planning to camp on the island must also have camping permits (approx $5.45 per person per day). Permits can be purchased online from National Parks.

Fraser Island Barges

Access to the island is via Inskip Point (15 mins from Rainbow Beach – barge trip takes 10 minutes) or River Heads (20 minutes from Hervey Bay – trip takes 40 minutes) – bookings are recommended, and essential during school holidays (approx $160 return / vehicle). Barge tickets and island permits can also be purchased directly from the Kingfisher kiosk which is located near the barge departure point at River Heads. Alternatively see the Fraser Island Barges website for times and prices.

What to Take

Anyone planning a self-drive trip to Fraser Island should remember it is a remote location, with often very challenging conditions. The island is huge, and whilst there is frequent traffic on most routes during peak periods, if you get into difficulty in remote areas it is a long way to get help. Mobile phone coverage is very limited. Visitors should always do plenty of research prior to arriving, and anyone going to the island should have adequate travel, vehicle and medical insurance.

As a minimum you should carry – tyre pressure gauge and pump, snatch strap, shovel, maps, first aid kit, extra drinking water, sufficient fuel , insect repellent, sun screen, tide times. Here is a link to the best Fraser Island Map for planning and driving on the island. Ensure you check the weather forecast thoroughly before departing.

Safety

High clearance 4wd vehicles are essential – lock hubs and deflate tyre pressure to the minimum of your manufactures recommended specifications for driving on soft sand.

Beware beach hazards – washouts, creeks, high tides (only drive 2 hours either side of low tide on the eastern beach).

Obey speed limits and road rules – Queensland road rules apply on all beaches and tracks including wearing seat belts at all times! There have been numerous fatalities on the island and a major contributing factor is no seatbelt!

Minimise your impact! Do not park on dunes. Take all rubbish and everything you brought onto the island, off the island.

Some great resources below:

Driving on sand safety guide

Survive your drive on Fraser Island

Be Dingo Safe – AND considerate of wildlife – it was their island before we came, so respect their freedom. These are wild animals – Dingos of Fraser Island Safety Guide

Fraser Island Camping

Once on the island you have several options for camping – formal camp areas (Central Station, Dundubara, Waddy Point, Lake Boomajin), commercial campgrounds (Dilli Village, Cathedral Beach) , informal beach camping zones, and walkers camps (Lake McKenzie – no vehicles). The formal campgrounds are mostly within the interior of the island and have bathroom amenities, BBQs and dingo fences. These campsites can be booked via the National Parks permit link (above). For the adventurous, there is nothing better than picking a camp spot just off the beach, and relishing the solitude, peace and starlight.

Be aware that there are no open fires permitted on the island. In the formal camp grounds there are communal fire pits where open fires can be shared.

Limited fuel, food, and facilities can be found at small townships : Eurong, Kingfisher, Happy Valley, Orchid Beach, Cathedral Beach, and Dilli Village.

Must See Fraser Island Favourites

My suggested must-sees – Central Station, Pile Valley, Eli Creek, Lake Allom, Lake Birrabeen, Indian Head, Champagne Pools, Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby.

Fraser Island 4wd Self-Drive Packages

If all this planning, permits, equipment and information seems overwhelming, then let us do all that for you! We have some awesome Fraser Island 4wd Self-Drive Packages that include everything you need – Landcruiser 4wd, instruction and safety briefing, camping equipment (or accommodation on the island), barge transfers, all permits, insurance, and a night before and night after in Hervey Bay at the Emeraldene Inn.

For example, 2 nights of Hervey Bay accommodation at the Emeraldene Inn (nights 1 and 3), plus 2 days / 1 night on Fraser Island (including car hire, insurance, barge transfers, all permits and fees, all camping equipment) – only $407 per person for 2 passengers (or $260pp for 4).

If camping isn’t your thing, we organise accommodation at Eurong Beach Resort for your time on the island. We have packages from 1 to 5 nights on the island.

As experienced local operators with some great local hire and tour operator partnerships, we are happy to assist anyone planning to visit the region. Please feel free to contact me directly with anything we can help with.

by Rob Lennon       Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

From the north, it is 125km / 1 ½ hours from Bundaberg, or 425km / 5 hours from Yeppoon, which is half way to the Whitsundays / Airlie Beach. (Yeppoon is a MUCH better place to stay than Rockhampton if you are doing the drive from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay – trust me! I will cover the north-bound journey in a future blog post.)

Once in Hervey Bay, having a vehicle is a decided advantage, as town is much bigger than most anticipate – 16km from one end to the other. With no real CBD or centre of town, Hervey Bay is essentially 5 suburbs or villages that have joined together over time, and there are lots of pockets of shops and facilities scattered everywhere. It is nice to have a vehicle to explore town and the surrounding region.

From Brisbane to Hervey Bay

If you can allow yourself a full day (or even 2) for your journey north, there is a lot to see and do on the way. Whilst you would find it a challenge to do all my suggestions in a day, you might be able to cover most of this in 2! (Let me know how you go!!!)

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains Lookout is less than 10km from Australia Zoo (to the south) and offers a magnificent view of the many volcanic plugs that make up the Glasshouse Mountains. If you are really keen, leave Brisbane VERY early and get to the lookout for sunrise – a photographers dream!! There are 8 great walking tracks within the Glasshouse National Park, ranging from 25 minutes to 5 hours.

Australia Zoo (1hr from Brisbane)

Australia Zoo is an awesome experience, and in my opinion MUCH better than Taronga Zoo in Sydney. For those that don’t know, this is Steve Irwin’s Zoo (the crocodile hunter – who was tragically killed by a stingray a few years ago). You really need to allow 3 – 4 hrs minimum to get around the zoo, and you MUST see the Wildlife Warriors Show at 12pm in the crocoseum.

Heading north from the zoo you have a choice to go to the mountains or the coast (or just bypass both and continue up the highway!).

Mountains – Montville and Maleny (25km north-west from Zoo)

Montville and Maleny are 2 quaint little villages perched on the top of the Blackall Ranges. With magnificent views over the Sunshine Coast, these little villages are full of art galleries, art and craft shops, gift shops, quirky cafes and restaurants, and some awesome cheese factories. You can easily spend at least 2 hours here visiting the galleries and sampling some of the locally made cheeses and pate’s.

Coast – Mooloolaba, Coolum, Noosa (35 – 75km north-east from Zoo)

The coast drive up the Sunshine Coast beaches is fantastic. Underwater World is an awesome aquarium experience, definitely worth a visit in Mooloolaba. Whilst you are there, the Surf Club at Mooloolaba is one of my favourite places to eat on the Sunshine Coast – an awesome location and outlook right on the beach!

Heading north you will come to Coolum Beach, a quiet and non-touristy beach which is my favourite place to swim – uncrowded and clean. The surf club at Coolum is also a great spot for lunch, with a beautiful view of the ocean from the top deck (which is in the shade in the afternoons – so take a jacket!).

Noosa is the most famous of the Sunshine Coast villages, and is pretty “touristy”. In my opinion, the best part of Noosa is the National Park. As you come into Noosa, rather than turning left into Hastings Street, turn right and head out to the National Park (2 minutes). The coast walk is delightful, with some great photographic opportunities. There are also koalas in the wild in the park – ask at the info booth near the car park if anyone has seen a koala on any of the tracks recently.

Eumundi Markets

If you are travelling on a Wednesday or Saturday you MUST stop off and visit the famous Eumundi Art and Craft markets. Eumundi is literally a stones throw off the highway heading north, so is a 2 minute sidetrip (but allow 1hr to visit the markets). Hundreds of art and craft stalls scattered amongst the trees – food, fruit, teas, coffees, pastries, cheeses etc as well!

Rainbow Beach

When you get to Gympie you are exactly 1 ½ hours from Hervey Bay. You can continue up the Bruce Highway, or take a more pleasant and scenic journey through the pine forests on the Tin Can Bay / Rainbow Beach Road.

Rainbow Beach is a 30km (1/2 hour each way) detour in to the coast, and is a beautiful place to visit. Thousands of years ago Rainbow Beach was an extension of Fraser Island, so the topography / geography is similar.

As you come into town keep an eye open for the little street sign on the right and drive up to the Carlo Sand Blow. A sand blow is a massive moving sand dune, and the walk out to the Carlo Sand Blow is an easy 10 minute walk rewarded by fantastic views over the Wide Bay Bar and ocean on one side, and the Glasshouse Mountains on the other (fantastic at sunset).

Drive up to Inskip Point where the barges take vehicles across to Fraser, and before you leave town have lunch at the little surf club. It is about 1 ½ hours from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay.

LOTS to see and do on the way, and certainly worth hiring a car and slotting an extra day into the itinerary for the journey from Brisbane to Hervey Bay.

by Rob Lennon                  Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay gives the visitor the unique opportunity to experience 2 magnificent World Heritage listed natural destinations – Fraser Island & the Great Barrier Reef.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world (125km x 25km) and boasts ancient and amazing rainforest, perched freshwater lakes, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and an incredible diversity of native bird and wildlife.

Lady Elliot Island sits at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef, and offers the visitor arguably the best coral and marine diversity of any tourist accessible reef on the east coast of Australia.

For nature lovers, these are 2 totally different nature based experiences, but both accessible from Hervey Bay, allowing overseas visitors to tick a lot of “Australia” boxes in a short period of time, and from an easily accessible base.

3 & 5 Day Itineraries

We have put together 3 amazing & popular packages that showcase these attractions in the best way possible, allowing visitors to optimise time and budget. We take care of all the arrangements, transfers and bookings, and can even organise tilt train transfers from Brisbane or northern ports.

Eco-Adventure

Without doubt, if time allows, 2 days / 1 night on both islands is the best way to go. Our incredible 5 Day Eco-Adventure Package includes 2 days / 1 night on Lady Elliot (including return scenic flights and limo transfers to/from the airport), 2 days / 1 night on Fraser Island, nights 1, 3, and 5 at the Emeraldene Inn, and all meals on the tours. A number of accommodation options are available with prices starting from $885pp twin share all inclusive (or $615pp for 2 adults / 2 kids).

With this package the 2 trips are totally different experiences. The Fraser Island Safari is a fully guided trip, which includes LOTS of expert information, history, biological & geological facts from experienced guides.

The Lady Elliot Trip is what we like to call “self-guided”. Whilst all activities (glass bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tour, turtle tour, bird tour, reef walk tour etc) on Lady Elliot are included, you can choose when, what and if you want to participate. You may just want to chillax and snorkel for 2 days (snorkelling equipment use free of charge btw) ….  or if you are certified, you might like to do a dive on the afternoon of arrival (extra charge) …. it’s up to you!

Fraser & Reef Package

If time is an issue, then our Fraser & Reef Package is a great option. As there is a lot to fit into a short period of time, this package incorporates premium tour options with small groups to optimise your experience in the region (3 nights and 2 full days).

In addition to enjoying 3 nights in our best Superior Suites (king beds, free wifi, free plunger coffee, free bottled water), you will explore Fraser Island in a Hummer, with a maximum of 4 passengers and driver / guide. Little extras like free Hummer Hats, morning and afternoon tea, a beach picnic with beer and wine,  and champagne and chocolates on the way home make this a memorable day.

The following day is a day trip to Lady Elliot Island. After a limo transfer to the airport you will enjoy an amazing scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island where you can spend the whole day exploring the island and the surrounding Great Barrier Reef. Glass bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tour, reef walk tour and seasonal tours are all included for you to participate if and when you please. A huge buffet lunch is included to recharge those snorkelling legs so you can get back out there in the afternoon and squeeze in as much reef time as possible!

This great package is available for only $725pp all inclusive.

2 Day (3 night) Fraser Explorer Package

If you’ve only got time for Fraser Island, then make it 2 days on the island so you can really appreciate the beauty of the place, and also get to explore the top end up to Indian Head and the Champagne Pools .

This package includes nights 1 and 3 at the Emeraldene Inn plus the Fraser Explorer 2 Day Tour. This fully guided tour (max 40 passengers) collects you from the Emeraldene at 6:50am on the morning of day 2 of your package. You have 2 full days on the island with a very experienced guide who can pass on all the history and interesting information that makes Fraser Island unique. Accommodation overnight is at the Eurong Beach Resort in ensuited private motel-style rooms, and all meals whilst on the island are included. You will be dropped back at the Emeraldene at 6:30pm on the evening of day 3.

This package is $415pp twin share – awesome value!

More Packages

These 3 packages are by far our most popular trips, but we have a lot of other packages available on our website for you to explore. We are also more than happy to tailor a package to meet your needs, so don’t be afraid to ask! Our aim is to make your travel planning as easy as possible, and for us to do all the work so you can enjoy your time on the Fraser Coast.

by Rob Lennon                                Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

As discussed in a previous blog post, Fraser Island is a BIG island, being nearly 125km long and 25km wide. There are no roads on the island, just sand tracks, which can be quite difficult to traverse during periods of extended dry conditions. As such, seeing the island in a single day is a challenge, but if this is the only time you have, then it is still an incredible experience.

Tours from Hervey Bay vs Rainbow Beach / Brisbane / Noosa

As can be seen on the accompanying map, most of the good stuff to see is in the middle third of the island. The tours that depart from Hervey Bay cross from the mainland at River Heads (about 20 minutes south of Hervey Bay), and land right at Wanggoolba Creek on the western side of Fraser Island. You have immediate access to the middle of the island, and you are only minutes away from Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley and Central Station.

If you depart from other destinations south, you will travel to the island from Inskip Point, west of Rainbow Beach, and then face a journey either up the eastern beach or on a rough track inside the island (depending on the tides). Tours from Noosa or Brisbane make for a VERY long day, as you face a 3 ½ hour transit from Brisbane before you even get to the island, or 2 hours from Noosa.

Most of the Day Tours that depart from Brisbane or Noosa do not include the northern sites of Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck or the Pinnacles Coloured Sands. Departures from Hervey Bay include 8 hours on the island vs only 3 hours for some trips from Brisbane.

Which Day Tour?

For departures from Hervey Bay ALL 1 day tours visit the same sites on the island – Wanggoolba Creek, Pile Valley, Central Station, Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Maheno Shipwreck and Pinnacles Coloured Sands. (On the 2 day tours you also get to explore Lake Wabby [my favourite lake] and the top of the island – Indian Head & Champagne pools) ALL tours depart the mainland on the 8:30am barge from River Heads and return on the 5:00pm barge from Wanggoolba Creek.

The primary difference between the tours on offer is group size (and meal options). Obviously the smaller the group size, the more expensive the tour. During very busy periods (Xmas, Easter and school holidays) it is a definite advantage to be in a smaller group tour.

The 3 day tours that I recommend are the Fraser Explorer Day Tour (40 passengers – $175pp peak, $155 low season), Fraser Explorer Premium Tour (20 passengers – $199pp), and the Fraser Experience Hummer Tour (4 passengers – $245pp). The Explorer Day Tour includes a buffet lunch at Eurong Resort, the Premium Tour includes an ala carte lunch at Eurong Resort which includes beer and wine, and the Hummer Tour includes a picnic lunch with beer and wine, and a special afternoon champagne and chocolate treat! All trips have morning or afternoon tea.

There are a couple of other operators in Hervey Bay that offer other small group tours. These tours have either 7 or 8 passengers (plus driver) in a Landcruiser. For me personally, I wouldn’t find it appealing to be squeezed in a landcruiser amongst 8 of my closest friends and family for a full day of hot and bumpy driving, let alone a number of complete strangers, so I’m not a big fan of these options – but if you like to make friends on tour, then the option is there!

All these tours offer free transfers from Hervey Bay accommodations and from the Emeraldene Inn.

There is further information about these tours and itineraries on our website, and lots of Fraser Island Tour packages worth checking out. Drop me an email (relax@emeraldene.com.au) if I can help with any questions or tour planning advice.

By Rob Lennon                                 Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

Fraser Island is a World Heritage listed destination for a justifiable reason – it is a magical reflection of nature at its best! How to experience all the island has to offer in the best way possible, is the real challenge for a visitor to the region with a limited time and expense budget. With this in mind, it is first worth explaining why Fraser Island is unique, and why it is a MUST visit destination on your east coast excursion.

Fraser Island Info & Facts

Fraser Island is located off the southern Queensland coast, and is the largest sand island in the world. The island is 125km long and 25km wide, and other than a few small urban settlements, almost the entire 1840km2 landmass is a protected National Park.

The sand, which has been accumulating for over 750,000 years, is almost 98% pure silicon quartz, and is as soft and pure as talcum powder. There are over 36 sandblows on the island, which are huge parabolic dunes which constantly move and change under the influence of prevailing winds. The eastern “75 mile” beach is known as the “beach highway” and doubles as a landing strip for small planes and a roadway for vehicles.

Fraser Island is the only place on Earth where a rainforest grows entirely out of sand. In Pile Valley there are 1000 year old satinay trees, as well as scribbly gums, red gums, piccabeen palms, pandanus and brush box. More than 850 species of plants thrive on the island, growing entirely from sand!

Fraser Island has over 100 freshwater lakes, including 40 perched lakes – some of the cleanest lakes in the world! The fresh water in the perched lakes, sitting on top of compact sand and vegetable matter, is so pure and soft, that you truly experience a sense of weightlessness as you float above almost pure white silica sand. Lake McKenzie is the most famous lake and is a photographer’s dream.

For the bird watchers there are over 350 species of bird on the island. There are over 74 species of reptiles and of course there is also the famous Fraser Island dingo – one of the last pure bred dingo species in the world.

Fraser Island Self-Drive or Fraser Island Tour?

Fraser Island is MUCH bigger than most people anticipate. There are no sealed roads on the island – they are all sand tracks. During long dry periods these tracks can get VERY rough and dug up by the constant daily traffic and tour buses. It can be very challenging crossing from the west coast to the east coast of the island if you are not experienced in driving offroad and in sand.

If you are considering a self-drive trip (and you have not been to the island before), you should plan a minimum of 2 days (preferably more). To try to “see” the island in a day when driving in unfamiliar and challenging conditions is inviting trouble. I recommend 3 days / 2 nights if you want to self-drive and get a full and meaningful experience of the island.

The other advantage of a tour is that there is SO much fascinating and interesting information about the flora, fauna, European and Indigenous history, and geology and biology of the island. You can only get this from an experienced guide. You simply miss out on 50% of the experience if you wander around the island yourself with a guide book.

My recommendation is to do a guided tour (either 1 day or 2 day) the first time you visit the island, and then when you come back embark on your own self-drive adventure.

Fraser Island Tours – 1 Day or 2 Day ?

There are numerous options for guided tours to Fraser Island (and I will dissect the different Fraser Island tours in another blog post). As discussed, Fraser Island is BIG, and there is a lot to see, so trying to do it in a day is a real rush. You can get a taste of the island in a day, but if you want to spend time enjoying the beauty of the different sites on the island I really recommend you take the time to do a 2 day tour.

The 1 day tours (from Hervey Bay) only go as far north as the coloured sands, just above the Maheno Shipwreck, whilst on the 2 day tours you also get to experience Indian Head and the Champagne Pools, and obviously get to spend aa lot more time at all of the stops.

We have lots of great Fraser Island packages (both self-drive and guided) on our website. Check them out and drop me an email (relax@emeraldene.com.au) if I can help with planning and advice.

by Rob Lennon                 Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

A magic Great Barrier Reef experience!

Most people don’t realise that some of the best tourist accessible reef on the entire east coast of Australia is sitting just off the top of Fraser Island! You don’t need to fly to Cairns or the Whitsundays to see the Great Barrier Reef! You can see more colourful coral, and more diversity of marine life at the beautiful Lady Elliot Island – a true coral atoll surrounded by teeming sea-life and home to thousands upon thousands of sea birds.

Due to global warming and numerous bleaching episodes over the last decade (caused by higher than normal sea water temperatures), the coral in far north Queensland off Cairns and the Whitsundays has lost a lot of colour and vitality. The Great Barrier Reef is, in fact, in self-preservation mode, and extending itself south as water temperatures rise. Lady Elliot, at the southern tip of the Barrier Reef enjoys optimal conditions all year round, for both the natural habitat AND visitors! During the summer months, when visibility can be poor in the waters off Cairns and north Queensland due to tropical rainfall, and marine stingers limit the ability to swim without stinger suits, Lady Elliot enjoys perfect water clarity and safe (stinger free) swimming conditions.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is one of only three island resorts located right on the Great Barrier Reef. The Island Resort is very low-key and environmentally friendly, allowing you to encounter turtles, dolphins, a large variety of coral, fish and giant manta rays, and LOTS of sea birds. You can literally step off the coral beach and experience amazing snorkelling and diving just metres from the shore.

The island is intimate and small (maximum of 140 guests including day trippers). The only access to the island is via air (flights from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg), with the airstrip extending the entire length of the small atoll. You can walk around the island in less than an hour!

What time of year to visit

Nature’s calendar presents special opportunities all year round on the island. From July to November the humpback whales are swimming past the island and can often swim right past an excited snorkeler! From November to February the green and loggerhead turtles lumber up the beaches at night to lay their eggs (guided night excursions for guests), while from January to March you can experience the baby turtles hatching. All year round there is a resident colony of Manta Rays that drift through the lagoon and are regularly spotted by snorkelers. The winter months see water temperatures higher than outside temps, perfect water clarity and the opportunity to experience all this with greatly reduced visitor numbers.

How to experience the best of the Barrier Reef

There are day tours to the island departing daily. From Bundaberg or Hervey Bay the Day Tour costs $319 / adult, $175 / child and includes scenic return flights, buffet lunch, glass bottom boat tour, guided snorkel tour (snorkel equipment included), guided reef walk, fish feeding.

Overnight and extended stays are possible in a variety of accommodation styles, from an Eco-Hut (permanent safari style tent with share bathroom facilities) to Reef Units (ensuite bathroom) and 2 bedroom Island Suites (air-con). Overnight stays include buffet breakfasts and dinners and all island activities (except scuba).

We have a couple of awesome packages that allow you to experience both Lady Elliot and Fraser Island. Our Fraser & Reef Package combines 3 nights in our best Superior Room accommodation at the Emeraldene in Hervey Bay with a Day Tour to Lady Elliot, and a full day Hummer Tour of Fraser Island ($725pp). Our 5 Day Eco Adventure Package includes 2 days / 1 night on Lady Elliot, 2 days / 1 night on Fraser Island, and 3 nights (nights 1,3,5) at the Emeraldene in Hervey Bay (from $885pp). Follow the links for details.

Conclusion

As a dive master and avid snorkeler, sailor and world explorer, I have dived most of the coral reefs around the world. I can honestly say that Lady Elliot Island would easily make my top 5 reef experiences. I would highly recommend and encourage you to consider the “Southern Great Barrier Reef” as your reef experience in any extended itinerary.

         by Rob Lennon                  Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is located approx a 2 hour drive north of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, and approx 3 ¼ hours drive from Brisbane Airport. Access is available by train (Queensland Rail Tilt Train), air (Qantas and Virgin Australia), or by road.

Air

Qantas flies to Hervey Bay from Brisbane with 4 convenient flights a day during the week and 3 on weekends. If you are coming from other destinations, be sure to search for flights from your originating port to Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), as the through pricing will be cheaper than booking separate legs.

Sydney to Hervey Bay flights (via Brisbane) start at around $150 and offer the best arrival times (first flight from Sydney departs 6am arriving at 9am).

Brisbane to Hervey Bay flights start at $106. (4 flights a day)

Melbourne to Hervey Bay (via Brisbane) start at $220, with the first flights departing 6am and arriving 9am (good connection for Lady Elliot).

Virgin Australia flies direct from Sydney to Hervey Bay. There is only 1 flight a day which arrives and departs in the middle of the day (11:55 arrival in winter, 10:55 in summer). Flights start at $110.

Melbourne to Hervey Bay starts at $224 (via Sydney).

It is also worth considering flights to the Sunshine Coast, particularly if you are planning on a visit to Noosa as well as Hervey Bay. Virgin has flights from Sydney to Sunshine Coast from $89 and from Melbourne to Sunshine Coast for $125. Then hire a car for the trip to Hervey Bay.

Hire Cars

I usually recommend looking at hiring a car if you are originating in, or coming via, Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast. It is an easy 3 1/4 hr drive from Brisbane or 2 hrs from Sunshine Coast. Australia Zoo is about half way and is a must-see stop if you are driving from Brisbane.

Hervey Bay itself is a big, spread out town, being 18km from one end to the other. There is no real CBD or centre of town, so it is difficult to explore and navigate without a vehicle. Car hire these days is very reasonable. You can hire a car for between $40 and $50 per day with unlimited kilometres. I use www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au to compare prices and book (and escape the one way delivery charge rental companies will try to hit you with if you are not returning to the same place). Make sure to let me know if you are coming by car so I can give you some cool sites to see on the way!

Tilt Train

The Tilt Train is a great option for heading north. If you are arriving by plane to Brisbane you can get the airport link train to Roma Street Station where the Tilt Train departs.

There are 2 trips a day from Roma Street Station in Brisbane (except on Saturdays). The departure at 11:00am arrives in Hervey Bay at 3:30pm, and the 4:55pm arrives at 9:30pm. On Saturdays there is only 1 service which departs at 1:10pm and arrives at 6:45pm. One-way price for an adult is $86.50 (which includes the train-link bus from Maryborough to Hervey Bay). You can often save 20% on this with an advance purchase discount. The tilt train has very comfortable (allocated) seating with a shop where you can buy food, drinks, newspapers etc … very civilized!

The Emeraldene Inn are agents for Queensland Rail so can help you with ticketing travel on the train. Airlines and rental cars you are best to book direct.

by Rob Lennon        Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay

August 5th – That’s Awesome Whale Watching

Great whales and weather today on the Bay!

If you are a bit short on time with your stay in Hervey Bay and you still want to catch the whales – That’s Awesome is the answer! That’s Awesome runs 3 times a day – allowing you to squeeze in a whale watch on your day of arrival or day of departure!

7am – 10am or 2:30pm – 5:30pm trips cost $110 / adult, $70 / child or $330 for a family.

by Rob Lennon         Emeraldene Inn & Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay