Car Rental Hervey Bay Airport

Welcome, you’ve just landed in the whale watching capital of Australia. Hervey Bay is the last stop for tens of thousands of humpback whales travelling north from the freezing ocean around Antarctica. They migrate each year to breed and take a holiday in the warm, balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef. What’s even more amazing, you can swim or sail with mothers and their newborn calves in the calm, clear seas. After months of rest and play, they eventually make the 10,000 kilometre journey home along what’s known as ‘the humpback highway’, heading south for the summer. Not surprisingly, this exciting annual event makes Hervey Bay the number one tourist destination in Queensland. Jump aboard a whale and dolphin watching vessel between July and November, and you can be a part of this exhilarating and unforgettable experience. 

Situated on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay is just a 45-minute flight from the state capital of Brisbane. The airport is less than 20-minutes from the centre of town. And it’s an easy drive in your hire car to all the attractions surrounding the Bay. This laid-back beachside town is a prime spot for your next escape, with no shortage of fun on offer in the area. Favourite water sports include windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, while the Wetside Water Park is great for little ones. Head to Mary River in the hinterland for a quiet canoe trip or catch some barramundi. Check out the neighbouring historic town of Maryborough to get a glimpse of Australia’s colonial heritage.

Hervey Bay is also the gateway to must-see K’gari (Fraser Island), right on its doorstep. The name means ‘paradise’ in the local Butchulla language, and that it surely is. Where else on earth could rainforests magically grow on sand, but on this UNESCO Heritage-listed site. It’s also the largest sand island in the world and spans the length of Hervey Bay. 

Experience Hervey Bay’s best attractions with a hire car

If you can’t make it here for the whales, don’t worry – there’s plenty more fish in the sea (so to speak). Join an eco-tour to discover the riches in the beautiful waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park. See tropical fish, green turtles, dugongs, grey nurse sharks and dolphins all living in the Bay’s pristine protected environment. Snorkel through coral gardens or stay dry in a glass bottom boat. 

Back on land, head north to the Burrum Coast and start a whole other adventure, just a half-hour drive away. Unwind in the sleepy fishing village of Burrum, a haven for turtles and dugongs. Meet Point Vernon’s iconic Aussie kangaroos. Get your blood pumping on the mountain bike trails of the Vernon State Forest. Wander through 20-acres of Bamboo Land and landscaped gardens along the Burrum River. And enjoy Saturday mornings at the Burrum Heads and Howard Country Markets.

Freedom is yours when you explore Hervey Bay

Take a weekend or more to get to know K’gari (Fraser Island), starting with a 50-minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay (Please note: Thrifty vehicles cannot be driven on Fraser Island). Explore the best of untamed nature all in one place. You’ll be impressed by its huge shifting sand dunes, endless beaches, freshwater creeks and rugged cliffs. If you’re after something more sheltered and secluded, take a dip in the fizzy Champagne Pools formed by volcanic rocks on 75 Mile Beach. 

Other unique island attractions include the turquoise-blue Lake McKenzie with silica white sands, infused with natural tea tree oil. This stunning contrast is picture perfect, making it the most visited site on the Island. Another popular spot is the rapid-flowing Eli Creek, also known as nature’s waterslide. You’ll be whooshed along with help from the four-million litres of crystal-clear waters that rush from the Creek to sea every hour. When your action-packed day is done, set up camp on the beach and keep a look out for the roaming dingoes at night. Or try a range of accommodation options on K’gari, from holiday units to luxury resorts. 

Before your vacation is over, get ready to leave it all behind and take a 40-minute scenic flight from Hervey Bay Airport to Lady Elliot Island. Classed as a highly protected ‘Green Zone’, this unspoilt marine sanctuary marks the start of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Also known as the home of the manta ray, this coral cay plays host to a colourful range of sea life. Strap on a snorkel and experience one of the best underwater shows on the Reef. Take a daytrip or stay in an eco-resort that’s designed for minimal impact on the environment. You’ll return to Hervey Bay all the richer for your visit!