Sponsored by Tourism Queensland
Hervey Bay, Queensland, is a spot that’s effectively referred to as the whale-watching capital of Australia.
The Hervey Bay whale watching season runs just about the identical as the remainder of Australia, from June to October.
That is if you’re most probably to see 1000’s of humpback whales migrate up and down the east coast of Australia to present start to their calves within the heat waters.
Because the ocean alongside the Fraser Coast has protected, calm waters, it’s a favorite transit cease for them as they relaxation and play.
In accordance with 20 years of analysis by marine naturalists, the Fraser Coast is the one real stopover alongside the migration route the place as much as 10,000 whales deviate from their annual journey again to the Antarctic.
It’s the primary whale heritage web site on this planet.
However what’s the easiest way to see these whales? This information will inform you the whole lot you want to learn about whale watching Hervey Bay.
The place is Hervey Bay?
Hervey Bay is roughly a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Brisbane or a 45-minute flight.
Greatest Time for Whale Watching Hervey Bay
One of the best time for whale watching is within the winter months (July – October). That is when the whales are beginning their migration again to Antarctic from Australia.
August and September are the instances when you find yourself extra prone to see moms and calves collectively.
Our Expertise Whale Watching Hervey Bay
Whale watching is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Hervey Bay, so we had been desperate to get on the market and see these majestic mammals of their pure habitat.
Waking as much as a shocking dawn over the Urangan jetty set the stage for our whale-watching Hervey Bay tour.
We jumped on the early morning whale-watching tour with the oldsters from Hervey Bay Whale Watch and their boat Fast Cat II.
We had been in good palms, homeowners Brian and Jill Perry are the pioneers having began the business again in 1987.
As we departed Urangan Harbour the water was calm and the lighting tender, and while the sky was a bit of overcast we might hardly complain. I keep in mind saying out loud, “hey, not dangerous for the center of winter!”
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than our youngsters bought their first deal with for the day. Scorching chocolate and pancakes had been on provide and each little one on board receives a Youngsters’s Exercise Booklet as souvenirs. Profitable to date!
Caz and I loved our espresso and a lightweight breakfast as we cruised in the direction of the open bay, having fun with the recent air and the serenity of the women sitting nonetheless for fifteen minutes.
Kalyra likes to find out about wildlife and the world round her and inside no time had learn by means of her whale booklet while little miss Savannah was having fun with her video games, puzzles, and photos.
Captain Brian elevated the velocity as we headed in the direction of the open bay with the solar beginning to poke its head by means of the breaking clouds. His crew was offering professional commentary and tips about images and the morning was getting higher by the minute.
The one different time we’d been whale watching was within the open ocean and making an attempt to take a photograph within the uneven and windy situations was like stumbling round making an attempt to pin the tail on the donkey blindfolded.
I might already inform why these mild giants loved spending as much as 10 days on their migration again to Antarctica in Hervey Bay utilizing the time to socialize and relaxation.
Sadly, our Hervey Bay whale-watching tour didn’t initially go to plan.
Our boat got here into engine hassle, we misplaced electrical energy to at least one engine shutting it down which meant we sat idle for 90 minutes within the bay, simply hanging out.
Teasingly, we might see some whales method off within the distance and for a second we thought the one ones we might be seeing up shut had been these in our Lonely Planet guidebook.
We used this time to take photographs (together with a number of selfies) and loved the uncommon second of doing nothing, surrounded by glimpses of Fraser Island off within the distance.
However by no means worry, after a gradual begin there was a cheerful ending in retailer for us…
Whale watching in Hervey Bay means you want to follow your persistence. These are wild animals we’re speaking about dwelling within the open and so they come and go as they please.
Captain Brian and crew did a superb job of getting us going once more and as quickly as our boat was mounted, we sped off, shortly discovering why Hervey Bay is named among the finest whale-watching areas on this planet!
We first noticed them breaching from a distance and I shortly grabbed my digicam and shot some pics on my 70-200 lens.
The thrilling factor is you by no means know when or the place they’re going to breach, and even when it’s not proper subsequent to your boat it’s nonetheless an unbelievable sight.
After which the day bought higher!
The whales got here to play proper alongside our boat, waving hi there with their tails slapping the water and swimming proper by. How’s this for a close-up of a humpback whale’s tail? Our children had been, in fact ecstatic!
They’re so majestic. Cruising round flicking their tail. Seeing the humpbacks up shut of their factor was like nature at its greatest. Evidently, our return journey to the harbour was spent in quiet, gleeful surprise.
We shared photographs with different passengers over extra espresso, recent fruit, toasties, and fruit cake.
How’s this for a assure
Throughout whale watching season in Hervey Bay, there could be lots of of whales throughout the sanctuary on any given day.
Nevertheless, within the unlikely occasion, you don’t encounter humpback whales in your tour, Hervey Bay whale watching permits every visitor an extra whale-watching tour to make use of with no restrictions or divulge to another person.
They had been the primary whale-watching operators to supply this assure, nearly 30 years in the past.
And being the nice operator that they’re, as a result of our tour was delayed for 90 minutes, everybody on board was additionally supplied this situation, though we noticed whales. I assumed that was superior!
Hervey Bay Whale Watching Excursions
In the event you’re on the look out for whale watching experiences, you’ll find a number of corporations that supply half-day or full-day excursions through the annual migration season.
Every tour affords one thing completely different, so listed below are among the hottest excursions and what they’ve to supply.
Hervey Bay Whale Watch Cruises
Hervey Bay Whale Watch had been who we chosen for our whale watching Hervey Bay expertise and so they supplied us a fantastic day trip.
You possibly can select between half day excursions in both the morning or afternoon, between the months of July and October.
One of many essential causes to take this 4-5 hour tour is for the further possibility of a whale swim, which prices an additional $100 AUD. You may as well get low cost tickets for households of 4.
The Hervey Bay Whale Watch Cruise is one of many few corporations with approval to supply the as soon as in a lifetime alternative to swim with these unbelievable giants, which is actually a singular expertise.
Tasman Enterprise
In the event you’re searching for a four-hour whale watching expertise that will get you up near the whales, then the Whale Watch Encounter tour by Tasman Enterprise is a well-liked possibility.
This tour offers you a detailed encounters to the majestic humpbacks on a luxurious catamaran boat.
The boat has loads of viewing decks, plus underwater viewing home windows so you’ll be able to see them swimming beneath the ocean.
Departing from Hervey Bay Marina you’ll go by means of the Nice Sandy Strait and previous distant islands earlier than heading to a well-liked playground for whales.
In addition they serve a morning tea or afternoon tea with pastries as effectively.
Blue Dolphin Marine Excursions
In the event you’re searching for a morning cruise, take into account crusing with the Blue Dolphin Marine Excursions who’ve been providing marine and journey excursions in Queensland for greater than 30 years.
You’ll cruise by means of the Nice Sandy Strait on a multi-award-winning crusing vessel, the place you’ll head to the humpback whale playground. You may additionally see dolphins and different marine life.
It’s not unusual to see pods of bottlenose dolphins, Australian humpback dolphins, and when you’re actually fortunate, dugongs and turtles too.
The proprietor and skipper, Peter Lynch, will provide professional commentary all through as you watch these animals of their pure dwelling.
Whalesong Cruises
Whalesong Cruises is a family-owned enterprise that provides smaller cruises than the same old boat excursions and function within the morning.
The cruises are about 5 hours lengthy and include a buffet lunch on the finish.
Another perks of a Whalesong Cruise is free WiFi onboard, a hydrophone to hearken to the whales singing (therefore the title, Whalesong), and a low variety of passengers. In actual fact, they solely carry 70% of the particular capability on the boat, to make sure everybody has a extra snug expertise.
The tour additionally consists of an professional commentary on the whales and different native marine life.
The boat has a number of viewing decks and vast open area, so it feels rather more non-public.
Pacfic Whale Basis
The Pacific Whale Basis whale watching excursions in Hervey Bay are a bit of extra adventurous than the others we’ve proven you to date.
They use a inflexible hull inflatable boat referred to as Ocean Defender, the place everyeone is sat in rows of 4 dealing with ahead. There isn’t a getting up and transferring round, because it’s solely a 12 meter boat.
Nevertheless, it does have the luxurious a WC.
These boats can carry as much as 40 individuals and is stopped each time a whale is seen.
Different Issues to Do in Hervey Bay
We didn’t have lengthy within the city itself, however right here are some things we bought as much as.
Stroll the Hervey Bay Esplanade at sundown
We arrived late Friday afternoon and took a mild stroll alongside the Esplanade simply earlier than sundown.
The 14km lengthy shared pathway stretches all the way in which from the Urangan Harbour on the jap finish of town to Gatakers Bay within the west, making it a fantastic cycle path or long-walk. We did the part alongside Scarness Seaside and loved the sundown on the jetty.
It’s additionally a fantastic spot for BBQ’s and fishing off any one of many small jetties alongside the way in which.
Stroll the Urangan Pier
Taking a morning stroll at dawn is greatest right here on the Urangan Pier. That is the place I took my dawn picture earlier than our whale watching tour.
Tip from one in all our readers:
“Simply throughout the street from Urangun pier is a fish and chip store, small, and appears a bit dodgy even (no offense to homeowners), but it surely has THE BEST fish I’ve ever tasted. Solely been twice with six years between visits and the standard was the identical, soften in your mouth!”
Breakfast at Enzo’s on the Seaside
Enzos on the Seaside is an area’s favorite cafe.
Step off the Esplanade and into the relaxed environment of Enzos with uninterrupted ocean views of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. The type is beachy, you’re proper on Scarness Seaside and set in a cute little cottage with an enthralling patio overlooking the sands.
We beloved the beanbags beneath the umbrellas and our youngsters loved the playground subsequent door that entertained them while we zoned out – successful once more!
Eat & Drink at Dan and Steph’s
We got here to Eat at Dan and Stephs for some good espresso. We didn’t get to eat right here although as we arrived after the kitchen closed at 3pm.
It’s in style, with Dan and Steph being the native celebs as earlier winners of My Kitchen Guidelines in 2013, and you’ll anticipate finding some up to date dishes. They work onsite, serving and cooking for his or her clients.
Dan is known for his sausages, and we additionally heard their Kadek Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice with braised ham hock scotch egg, and fried shallots) was one in all their successful dishes on the TV present.
Hervey Bay Lodging, The Bay Flats
Our Hervey Bay lodging was a stunning self-contained house, The Bay Flats, which is true on the Esplanade with water views, and when you don’t really feel like cooking, you’re a simple stroll to a number of eating places and takeaway meals shops alongside the strip.
Closing Ideas on Whale Watching Hervey Bay
In the event you’re going to go to Hervey Bay, why not time it to coincide with the migrating whales. It’s one in all Queensland’s greatest pure vacation locations and we had a whale of a time (sorry couldn’t resist!)
You’re additionally inside quick access to World Heritage Listed sand island, Fraser Island, so it’s undoubtedly price visiting when you’re heading to Queensland.
Our whale watching Hervey Bay expertise was one of many highlights of our journey round Australia. We have now little doubt {that a} whale watching day trip will likely be a spotlight of your journey too!
Disclaimer: Our journey to Hervey Bay was hosted by Tourism Queensland, however all ideas, concepts, and opinions on this information are our personal.
Extra Southern Queensland Journey Ideas
Are you planning on visiting different elements of Queensland? Listed here are another guides to take a look at!
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Have you ever been on any Hervey Bay whale watching excursions? Did you see any whales? What else did you do on the town? Please share any ideas within the feedback under.
Supply: Breaking Travel News
