HERVEY BAY-BY

Sensational sunsets, long stretches of gently lapping shoreline and a pier that nearly meets the horizon, you'll be more than pleased to have dipped your toes in Hervey Bay.

Just over three hours drive from Brisbane we boarded a Fraser Coast charters lift out across crystal clear waters to one of their charter boats, a luxurious catamaran mored off Fraser Island. It could have been the Whitsundays - the visibility was incredible, pure white sand, and seashells in abundance on the shore. Granted there is no Barrier reef here but not having needed to board a plane, be at the whim of delays and lost luggage or pay for an airline ticket, the result is nothing short of spectacular. Weather permitting, this cat and others are available for you to hire, along with safety and operational instruction only, or with an expert onboard to help out.

Should you want a break mid charter experience to put your feet on dry land or if the ocean is simply not the dip you're after that day, you have access to the hotel pool at Kingfisher Bay Resort on K'gari along with their cocktails and fantastic dining experiences. This adventure offers the best of both worlds - land and sea.

If a casual stay in Hervey Bay itself and a day trip to see and swim with the whales is more your brand of vacation, you could easily find yourself cooking garlic prawns on the BBQ on the deck of your luxury safari tent at the holiday park or eating at one of the many eating out options be it cafe, restaurant or the fairly newly refurbished pub.

Hervey Bay, and of course Fraser, are solid Aussie travel destinations. For a diverse, active, seafaring, rewarding and relaxing Queensland stay, this little seaside town delivers big experiences.