It might be the official whale watching capital of Australia, but there’s so much more to do in the laid-back, sunny town of Hervey Bay than wildlife watching! A 3½ hour drive north of Brisbane will take you to this beach town that’s the perfect destination for families, boys trips, backpackers and of course, 4×4 fans. If you’re planning a holiday up north, make sure you include these top 10 things to do in Hervey Bay on 4×4.
Here Goes Each One Of The Attraction in Hervey Bay In Details:
20 minutes west of Hervey Bay, you’ll find Vernon State Forest, home of the Chicken Track. It’s one of the best 4×4 tracks around and climbs steadily to the Telecom Tower. As you pass through native bush and swampland, keep an eye out for wildlife. The track is quite weather dependent so consider the conditions before you head out. Rain quickly turns the track to mud while during summer, the sandy ground can be slippery. Once you’re at the top, enjoy the views and if you’ve got time, explore one of the other unmarked off-road tracks before heading back down.
If you visit Hervey Bay between April and October, it’s the perfect time to experience Humpback whales resting, relaxing and playing in the calm and safe waters of the bay. While you might be able to see them lunging out of the water from the shore, take a whale watching tour to see these enormous creatures up close. All whale watching vessels are well set up with plenty of viewing space. Some even have underwater viewing windows providing a unique look into sea life.
Within a 1½ hour drive from Hervey Bay, there are a number of other great 4×4 tracks to explore. The Burrum Coast National Park is a great 4×4 drive only destination that’s got gravel and sand roads that’ll take you to coastal plains, tidal wetlands and native forest. If swimming in waterholes and fishing is your thing, head to the Wongi State Forest.
Or, aim for Goodnight Scrub National Park where you can drive through an unlined, unsupported rock tunnel, swim, climb hills and cross rivers. Be sure to bring plenty of supplies as these parks don’t have facilities. You can find more details in our Hervey Bay 4WD Trip Plan.
Experience the pristine seascape of Sandy Straits on this wonderful Scenic & Wildlife cruise. Including the lush, panoramic views of Woody Island, North White Cliffs, Ungowa and Garry’s Anchorage, you’ll learn about some of the histories of early settlers of this historical region. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the array of wildlife, including the famous K’gari (Fraser Island) dingos! For pricing and booking information, please visit The Boat Club website.
No trip to Hervey Bay is complete without a side trip to the incredible K’gari (Fraser Island)! Explore the beach in your 4×4 where the sand ‘road’ will take you to a shipwreck, the multi-coloured Pinnacles and the Champagne Pools. There’s also plenty of inland 4×4 drive tracks that weave through lush rainforest to crystal clear freshwater lakes. The barge leaves from River Heads, 20 minutes south of Hervey Bay. Check the Visit K’gari (Fraser Island) website for sailing times and costs.
How could a FREE water park not be good?!? Hervey Bay’s Wetside is an eco-friendly public area with fountains, water slides, water guns and a giant water screen. It’s aimed at educating people about water consumption in a fun and interactive way. There’s supervision for the kids along with a dedicated pool for toddlers, making it the perfect holiday activity for the whole family. For the ‘grown-up kids’ there’s even a paid surfing stimulation ride and a coffee shop.
Do you remember Dan and Steph, the winners of My Kitchen Rules in 2013? Well, this down-to-earth couple are from Hervey Bay. After wrapping up the show, they took their newly honed cooking skills back home and started an incredible café called Eat at Dan and Steph’s.
Top 10 things to do in Hervey Bay on 4×4 – Eat at EAT.
If you’re a fan of the couple, the show or just a lover of really great food, having breakfast, brunch or lunch here is a must. The menu is full of delicious options but we can’t go past anything that’s got Dan’s famous Italian sausages!
Breathe in the salt air and spectacular views of the ocean on the famous Urangan Pier. This iconic pier is one of Australia’s longest and oldest, coming in at almost a kilometre long. It’s an ideal spot to cast a line, go for a stroll, or soak up magical views of the bay. You might even get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins, stingrays, and colourful schools of fish.
Top 10 things to do in Hervey Bay on 4×4 by FleetCrew
For a small town, Hervey Bay has a lot of markets, and they’re good ones at that! Spend a few hours wandering through the stalls with a coffee in hand. You’ll find lots of handmade creations, clothing, gifts, indigenous art, delectable goodies and fresh produce. There are different markets on every weekend and most Thursdays. Check the Fraser Coast website for up to date information about market locations and times.
If you’re a history buff or need a wet weather activity, be sure to visit the Historical Village and Museum. With 21 period-specific buildings showcasing exhibits ranging back to the early 1800’s, you’ll get a taste of the kind of life that was once enjoyed in Hervey Bay.
To give you the complete freedom to explore all of Hervey Bay and it’s great 4×4 drive tracks, simply hire a 4×4 vehicle from FleetCrew in Brisbane. Our 4×4 vehicles are made to go off road so we’ll set you up with everything you need to explore the beach, scrub and rain-forest. For your free quote, send us a message or call us on 1300 551 400.
Top 10 things to do in Hervey Bay on 4×4 by FleetCrew
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