Hervey Bay With Kids: Our Top 5
Hervey Bay is a favourite with families all year round. The beaches are calm and beautiful, the weather is warm all year round and there is heaps to do. Here’s our top 5 activities to do with kids in Hervey Bay.
Wetside Water Park
Only a short 5-minute drive away is Wetside Water Park, one of the most popular and fun attractions for children of all ages. There is a separate area for under 5’s, a tipping bucket, water slides, hundreds of spouts and jets, fountains, a boardriding machine and interactive play equipment. There are also a number of educational displays with information about water safety and water conservation.
For parents, there is plenty of seating and shaded areas, a cafe on site so you can grab a coffee while the children play, and a fish and chip shop for when the kids get hungry! Best of all entry to the water park is FREE (slides are $6.00 for 10 rides and the boardriding machine is also $6.00) making it the perfect place for a family day out.
The Esplanade
The Esplanade is a 14km pathway running from Urangan to Point Vernon. Whether your kids prefer to ride bikes or scooters, the path is completely flat so you shouldn’t have too many complaints! It also makes an ideal walking and running track. There are plenty of cafes along the way to grab a drink or something to eat. On a hot day, it’s also nice to stop for a swim and then keep riding/walking/running. There’s also plenty of seating, shaded areas, playgrounds, boardwalks and grassy areas for picnics.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island is the perfect day trip for those who like an adventure. Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay, Fraser Island is a World Heritage Listed, 184 000 hectares, sand island featuring colourful sand cliffs, surf beaches, shipwrecks, rainforests, lakes, fishing spots, whale watching opportunities, woodlands and mangroves. Wild, unspoilt and incredibly beautiful, Fraser Island truly is like no other place on earth.
A guided 4WD Fraser island tour is one of the best ways to see the whole island in one day, especially with kids. You will be taken to all of the major attractions, including three secret swimming spots, and be treated to a delicious lunch on the beach and snacks along the way.
Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum
If the weather takes a turn or you need a break from the beach the Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum will not disappoint. There is so much to explore for both adults and kids with over 8000 exhibits and live demonstrations (weaving, rope making and timber sawing) add an extra element to the experience. The village is open every day during the school holidays (except Christmas), but it is best to double the check opening hours on the historical village website.
Whale Watching
The perfect winter activity, whale watching tours in Hervey Bay run from July to October every year. The calm, warm waters of Hervey Bay are the perfect spot for a bit of rest and relaxation and give visitors a truly unique opportunity for a close up whale watching experience. There are plenty of whale watching tours on offer giving you the freedom to select one that suits your family and the ages of your children.