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THE FRASER COAST HAS LONG BOASTED OF WORLD HERITAGE LISTED FRASER ISLAND AND EASY ACCESS TO THE SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF, BUT NOW HERVEY BAY HAS ADDED TO ITS APPEAL THROUGH WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION AS ONE OF THE PLANET’S VERY BEST PLACES TO VIEW HUMPBACK WHALES.
Whale Festival NO OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD COMPARES TO THE AWE-INSPIRING, SOUL-STIRRING, UP-CLOSE WHALE WATCHING ENCOUNTERS THAT YOU WILL FIND IN HERVEY BAY. WHAT BETTER REASON TO CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE ANNUAL HERVEY BAY WHALE FESTIVAL. Held in late July, the festival combines an eclectic and colourful mix of events and starts with the Blessing of the Fleet, a 16th century old tradition from the Mediterranean. An evening of free music, market stalls, a sail by of vessels and an impressive fireworks display accompany an abundance of food stalls, restaurants and cafés open late. Then relax and feast with the men and women of the seafood industry in perfect winter sunshine. The Hervey Bay Seafood Festival boasts the best of the local wild catch for a day filled with fun, fishy talk and fabulous food.
visitfrasercoast.com
If you love to party, join the ultimate beach party at the Whale Parade and Concert. Colourful beach-themed floats make their way along the illuminated Esplanade with plenty of costumes,
carnival rides, live music, market and food stalls. How about flying a kite at the Fraser Coast Kite Karnival, a fantastic event for the whole family, with giant novelty kites in the shape of manta rays, whales and octopuses and other sea creatures. Finally, the Whale Festival wraps up with the conservation message promoted through fun workshops for kids, speakers, and entertainment. And if you can muster up something that floats, join in the Paddle Out for Whales, where we send a message that our community doesn’t support whaling.
For all festival details go to WHALEFESTIVAL.COM.AU
Had an amazing encounter with a gentle giant? Share your experience at #whalesherveybay
Eco-tourism
Immerse yourself
A WORLDWIDE SHIFT TOWARDS ECO-TOURISM HAS OCCURRED AS TRAVELLERS DISCOVER A RENEWED LOVE FOR NATURE BASED EXPERIENCES. THIS TREND HAS HELPED TO ESTABLISH HERVEY BAY AS A MECCA FOR THOUSANDS OF NATURE LOVERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
HERVEY BAY IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD TO OFFER AMAZING, UNFORGETTABLE IMMERSIVE HUMPBACK WHALE EXPERIENCES.
Scientists tell us that the protected waters of Hervey Bay provide a natural haven for whales to rest, nurture their newborns, mate and play, giving the best chance to see these animals up close and personal from one of the many whale watching tours available. It’s no wonder that whale researchers, scientists and whale lovers alike travel to Hervey Bay from July to November each year to be a part of the whales’ annual migration journey. It’s a marked difference from the 1950s when thousands of whales were slaughtered off the Australian coastline for blubber and oil. During that time, 6,277 whales were processed at the closest whaling station on Moreton Island. Nowadays more than that number of whales visit Hervey Bay each year! Whaling was estimated to create about $30 million annually Australia wide, until the whale population was almost extinct by the early 1960s. Today, the whale watching industry boosts the economy
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Up close and person
by more than that figure in Hervey Bay alone each year!
Those wanting to be within arm’s reach of the gentle giants can climb into the water tethered to a mermaid line and float next to the vessel or be lowered into the water on a special platform, allowing the whales to freely approach them.
From humble beginnings in 1987, whale watching is now an integral part of the prosperity of Hervey Bay and an example of an industry that is economically sustainable and supportive of positive values and a major contributor to the local community. Bookings are essential for whale watching tours. Visit ...
1800 214 789 or 1800 811 728
WHALESHERVEYBAY.COM
Fraser Coast Visitor Information Centre
Information and Bookings