QUEENSLAND
WHERE TO EAT, STAY AND PLAY IN
Hervey Bay
ANGELA SAURINE
ANGELA SAURINE reveals the best things to see and do and family-friendly restaurants to check out during a stay at Mantra Hervey Bay
Opening image: Whalesong Cruises Hervey Bay © Tourism and Events Queensland
Things to do in Hervey Bay with kids
Hervey Bay is known as the whale watching capital of Australia. Protected by Fraser Island, the bay’s warm shallow waters are the perfect stopover point for humpbacks during their annual migration from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to breeding grounds in tropical waters to the north. The bay acts as a temporary whale nursery where newborn calves practice behaviours such as breaching, spy hopping and tail slapping, with some staying for up to two weeks. Numerous tour operators offer whale watching tours between July and November, with mother humpbacks known to lead their calves close to boats, seemingly to introduce their inquisitive offspring. You can also do day trips to Fraser Island to see pristine Lake McKenzie, UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, and the Maheno Shipwreck. Walk or ride bikes along The Esplanade, which passes parks, Urangan Pier and Wetside Water Park, which has a colourful light show on Saturday nights from October to April. See turtles, sharks and other marine life at the all-natural Reefworld Aquarium, which uses sand-filtered sea water and sunlight instead of artificial light. Step back in time at Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum, where exhibits include a furnished 1890s cottage, a blacksmith shop and a school.
“You can also do day trips to Fraser Island to see pristine Lake McKenzie, UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, and the Maheno Shipwreck”
Images: Spotting a whale at Hervey Bay with Blue Dolphin Marine Tours, A family exploring with Fraser Island Boat Charters from Hervey Bay © Tourism and Events Queensland
Images: A one-bedroom apartment, The view from a balcony, Mantra Hervey Bay
Mantra Hervey Bay
Overlooking Great Sandy Straits Marina, where boat tours depart, Mantra Hervey Bay makes a convenient, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing base. It has both hotel rooms and one, two and three-bedroom apartments which are ideal for families as they have all the mod cons of home. Think kitchen with microwave and dishwasher, and washing machine and dryer in the bathroom – as well as the all-important bathtub for those with little kids! All have balconies, many with views over Urangan Harbour, and some have spa baths. The hotel also has a heated outdoor pool and a children’s pool, a gym and sauna. There’s a small playground across the road and a larger, more colourful one at Dayman Point, a few minutes’ walk along the coast. Everything you need is just next door at Whale Bay Marina, including a chemist, tour agency and several eateries.
“There’s a small playground across the road and a larger, more colourful one at Dayman Point, a few minutes’ walk along the coast”
Family-friendly Hervey Bay restaurants
Whale Bay Marina is home to Whale Bay Asian Cuisine and the eclectic Bella’s Chit Chat Cafe, where the décor includes pictures of turtles, fishing nets, and fairy lights hanging from the roof. It is open for breakfast and lunch. Nearby Café Balaena also has great views over the marina, and a few kids’ meals. My Kitchen Rules fans shouldn’t miss a visit to EAT at Dan and Steph’s, which the couple opened after winning series four of the hit show. Kids can colour in on their menus and their meals are always a priority. Enzo’s on the Beach is also in a great location next to an awesome playground. It has live music in the afternoon on weekends and a great ‘mini me’s’ menu for kids, including a pancake stack for breakfast and a ‘happy pop’ ice-cream with topping and hundreds and thousands. Planet 72 Icecreamery is another excellent option for sweet treats, serving both ice-cream and gelato on the esplanade opposite Nielsens Park.
The writer was a guest of Mantra Hervey Bay
Images: Eat at Dan and Steph's in Hervey Bay © Tourism and Events Queensland, Creative conconctions for kids at Eat at Dan and Steph's in Hervey Bay, Enzo's on the Beach at Hervey Bay
