Events
Events
Celebrate Mary Poppins, whales and everything in-between Family entertainment, food festivals, sport, community and culture – the Fraser Coast has events to celebrate them all. A climate blessed by year-round sunshine, mild temperatures, a variety of accommodation choices from the beach to the hinterland, all supported by great cuisine, makes the Fraser Coast a perfect event destination. The region is only a short drive from South-East Queensland and offers a diverse line-up of events. WHALES: Declared the world’s first Whale Heritage Site in 2019, Hervey Bay celebrates the return of majestic humpback whales each year with the Hervey Bay Whale Festival between late July and early August. To ensure a bountiful whale watching season and safe passage for cetaceans and humans, the festival launches with the centuries old tradition of the “Blessing of the Fleet” sail past at the Hervey Bay Marina; concluding with a colourful display of fireworks over the water. The weekend continues with the Whale Parade and Family Day and the local favourite, a Paddle Out for Whales off Scarness Pier. The paddle was originally a protest about continuing whaling world-wide but has transitioned as a celebration of the humpback’s return to Hervey Bay each migration season. To pay further tribute to Hervey Bay’s unique relationship with the ocean, the festival ends with the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, one of the largest seafood events in the State, with great music, entertainment – and food! MARY POPPINS: Another popular event is the colourful and quirky Mary Poppins Festival, held each year in Maryborough in early July, celebrating the art of storytelling. The festival honours Mary Poppins’ author and storyteller, Pamela Lyndon Travers, who was born Helen Lyndon Goff in an upstairs bedroom of the former Australian Joint Stock Bank building in Maryborough on 9 August 1899. The bank has been converted into an interactive museum, called Story Bank, sharing the story of Maryborough’s unique connection to P.L. Travers. The main Mary Poppins Festival celebration, known as “Day In The Park”, includes storytelling across multiple artforms,
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the Great Nanny Race, Chimney Sweep Challenges, entertainers and characters bursting in the streets, and a Grand Parade to boot. A DOSE OF COUNTRY: Visitors wanting to slow it down and experience a healthy dose of country hospitality are encouraged to stroll through the gates of the Fraser Coast Agricultural Show in May or celebrate the region’s rich mining history at the Burrum Coal Discovery Festival in July. If you are looking for an energetic atmosphere, head to the Teebar Campdraft and Rodeo in June, frock up for the Torbanlea Picnic Races in October or watch all the action at the Fraser Coast R.U.M. Fest with rodeo, utes and music in November. SPORT: The Fraser Coast’s action-packed sports line-up includes the Burrum SurfFX Windfest in April, the Queensland Junior State Cup touch football carnival in July, the Hervey Bay Pier 2 Pub swim in August, along with the Barge2Beach Swim and Hervey Bay 100 triathlon in November. FISHING: The Fraser Coast capitalises on its reputation as one of the country’s premier fishing destinations by hosting a range of contests for anglers including the Burrum Heads Easter Fishing Classic in April, the Toogoom Family Fishing Competition in September and the Hervey Bay Game Fishing Classic in the marlin grounds off K’gari-Fraser Island in November. SPEED: Feel the need for speed? In May, hit the beach for the highoctane thrills of powerboat racing as Hervey Bay hosts the Offshore Superboat Championships. If cars are your thing, cruise to the Maryborough Speedway track for one of their regular meets involving karts, junior sedans, modifieds, formula 500s and V8 sprint cars. If you prefer your thrills sky-high, try the annual Wings, Wheels and Warbirds for classic cars, classic planes and serious horsepower.
The Fraser Coast has a busy calendar of festivals and events happening all year round. For a complete list go to visitfrasercoast.com/events and follow Fraser Coast Events on Facebook.
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