Things to do around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach
There are endless Things to do around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this region is a paradise for families, solo ravellers, and beach lovers alike. From cosy beachfront retreats in Hervey Bay to nature-focused escapes near Rainbow Beach, there’s accommodation and experiences to suit every traveller. With pristine beaches, scenic road trips, unique local attractions and unbeatable weather all year round, this corner of Queensland promises unforgettable adventures.
Easy Access to Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach
The Fraser Coast Regional Council sits within Queensland’s Wide Bay Burnett Region. Hervey Bay is accessible via:
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Driving: 2.5 hours from Sunshine Coast (200km) or 3.5 hours from Brisbane (290km)
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Flights: Direct flights to Hervey Bay from Brisbane or Sydney
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Public Transport: Take a Greyhound bus from Brisbane or use Queensland Rail to Maryborough West from Brisbane or Queensland Rail to Maryborough West, then a short taxi to Hervey Bay.
Explore K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Hervey Bay, K’Gari (Fraser Island) is one of the world’s most unique destinations. This World Heritage-listed sand island is known for rainforests growing on sand, pristine lakes, and untouched beaches.
As the only place on Earth where a rainforest grows from a sand base, K’Gari offers a wealth of natural wonders. Whether you’re hiking through its diverse terrain or spotting wildlife in their natural habitat, K’Gari is a must-see gem of the Fraser Coast.
Wellness & Pampering around the Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach
Indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation with a variety of wellness and pampering options across the Fraser Coast:
- Bella Butterfly offers premium beauty treatments and relaxation therapies to help you unwind and feel pampered.
- Hervey Bay Massage and Day Spa provides a full range of massage and day spa services designed to rejuvenate both body and mind.
- Mineral Earth is a peaceful destination, perfect for those seeking spa treatments that focus on mineral-rich therapies.
- Serenity Skin Spa offers a holistic approach to beauty, with services for the skin, body, and mind.
- Pampered by Amy is a local favorite with excellent reviews. Be sure to book early for a spot!
- Ocean Therapies offers a wide variety of massage styles and techniques, ideal for anyone seeking relaxation or stress relief.
- Ultimate Skin Clinics: provides bespoke beauty therapy services, including advanced medical beauty treatments by a professional local practitioner.
- My Beauty + Wax, located at 15A Main Street, Pialba, QLD.
- The Natural Touch Body & Skin Treatment Centre at 4655/123 Torquay Rd, Scarness, specializes in body treatments and skin care services.
- Seaside Skin and Beauty, Hervey Bay – a home-based beauty service offering expert treatments.
- Oceanside Hair and Beauty – Shop 5/352 Esplanade, Scarness, QLD, provides a full range of hair and beauty treatments.
- Neonails in Pialba – 2/31 Main Street is your go-to destination for manicures, pedicures, and nail care.
- Rainbow Hair and Beauty – Provides hair styling, IPL treatments, and beauty services. Shop 1/Lot 13 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach
- Rainbow Beach Health & Fitness – Offers gym memberships, personal training, and remedial massages.
Explore & Discover around the Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach
Tours and Boat Hire
- Escape the crowds at the remote west coast of K’gari. Enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, swimming, and bushwalking. Your package includes free transfers from Hervey Bay, expert guides, lunch, morning/afternoon tea, tube rides, and the chance to see whales (May-Nov) with Tasman Tours and Fraser Explorer Tours.
- Hervey Bay Marine Tours have a wonderful saying…”If I owned heaven and the Great Sandy Strait – I’d rent out heaven and live on the Sandy Strait”. Family-owned business, dedicated to protecting the ocean, sharing their knowledge and learning from the Butchulla indigenous people.
- Boat, kippered or bare boat, and various yacht charters with Sweet Escape Charters, Fraser Island Boat Charters, or Blue Sky Boat Hire at Urangan Marina where you can also hire a party boat.
- Buallum Nyia or Pelican Banks is a fabulous destination for families or romantic couples getaway. The waters are shallow and pristine. Depart the Great Sandy Straits Marina with Pelican Bank Tour
- See hump back whales (May to November with Blue Dolphin Tours; Freedom Whale Watch or Tasman Ventures
- Nearby Lady Elliot Island, a short sail or a scenic flight with Scenic Lady Elliot Day Trip – amazing value for a 7 hour day trip. There’s over 1,200 species of marine life with beautiful coral cay and large populations of giant manta rays and turtles. It is located at the southern tip of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef.
- Rainbow Beach is a gateway for K’Gari adventures, with ferries and tours departing from Inskip Point. Visitors can also enjoy local experiences such as fishing charters, guided eco-tours, and sand dune adventures.
Things to do around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach –
Day Trips and Sightseeing:
- A treasure trove of beaches run up and down the Fraser Coastline – Rainbow Beach or Tin Can Bay, south of Hervey Bay around a 1.5 hour drive. Head further north to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Bargara and the Coral Coast. Visit Baraga and the Coral Coast
- Visit the historic Urangan Pier for windsurfing, kite surfing, and surfing. Location is the corner of The Esplanade and Pier Streets Hervey Bay QLD
- Visit Champagne Rock Pools and the clear freshwater Lake McKenzie. Don’t leave any rubbish behind as dingoes roam wild on the island. Stay away from them and don’t pat them.
- Point Vernon – the largest rocky promontory on the Fraser Coast, provides beautiful views across the Pacific Ocean. Gatakers Bay, The Gables off the shoreline is a coral reef, ESA Park (between Aplin and Flinders Street) with beach access and tidal rock pools, a playground and park facilities. Point Vernon is a starting point for the Hervey Bay Esplanade trail.
- Wetside Water Park on the foreshore at the junction of Main Street and the Esplanade, Hervey Bay. Brilliant days out with the family, with loads to keep the kids smiling. There’s waterslides, aqua ninja adventure course, totside for under 5s, coffee shop and more. Entry into WetSide is free but there’s a cost for the Waterslides and Aqua Ninja and during QLD school holidays, WetSide is open 7 days from 10am to 5pm. Closed in winter.
- Rainbow Beach Tours – Kayak tours, dolphin & whale watching, Fraser Island excursions.
- Surf & Sand Safaris – Guided tours to Coloured Sands, Double Island Point, and family-friendly 4WD adventures.
- Rainbow Beach Holiday Village – Coloured Sands Tours – Half-day or full-day guided tours of Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands.
- Viator – Rainbow Beach Tours – A variety of local tours including Fraser Island day trips and wildlife experiences.
- Experience Oz – Rainbow Beach Tours
Offers a variety of tours departing from Rainbow Beach, including dolphin kayaking and Fraser Island 4WD adventures.
Things to do around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach –
Annual Events
- Hervey Bay Family Carnival 30 June – 9 July
- Mary Poppins Festival 2 July
- Hervey Bay Whale Festival Blessing of the Fleet 15 July
- Rainbow Beach Community Markets – Held monthly showcasing local artisans.
- Rainbow Beach Music Festival – Celebrating local and national musicians.
Good Eats: Local flavours and Top Eateries
- The Carriers Arms in Maryborough is open 7 days a week. Bistro and classic pub favourites menu. There’s a dedicated kids entertainment room suitable for 3 years to 13 years, including play stations, amusement games, kids’ TV channel and more.
- Eat in the Bay – offers cafe food and New York style sandwiches.
- The Beach House Hotel is open 7 days for lunch and dinner for casual dining.
- Banksia Seafood and Grill – a casual seaside restaurant, this venue offers a great environment for enjoying seafood, making it a good fit for Good Eats.
- Labella– an authentic pizza place, this is a solid choice for simple, comfort food, which fits the Good Eats vibe.
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Tresalsas – a Mexican restaurant that caters to families, with kid-friendly options.
- Salt Cafe – beachfront along the Esplanade at Urangan from 7 am to 2pm daily
- Bayaroma is a busy little café ideally located on the Hervey Bay Esplanade in beautiful Torquay, opposite the best swimming beach in the Bay, the popular train park and great picnic spots on the foreshore.
- Orchid Beach Trading Post and Driftwood Bar – A family run pub situated at beautiful Orchid Beach, K’Gari. It’s a relaxed old style pub with a llaid back atmosphere, fantastic view and the island’s coldest beer on tap.
- The Dock Hervey Bay overlooks the marina and is a cool themed bar and eatery with cocktails menu, an epic beer list, wicked wine list and Tapas style food menu.
- The Bayswater Bar & Grill – With great ocean views and a more casual setting, this is an accessible, enjoyable place for a meal, aligning it with Good Eats.
- @brewviewcafe – A casual café with beautiful views, offering a laid-back environment.
- @Codyscoffeeshack – A cute, beach-view coffee spot, perfect for casual visits.
- Banana Bean Café – a range of yummy desserts and coffee house favourites at 36 Rainbow Beach Rd Shell Plaza, Rainbow Beach
- Somewhere Over Coffee – coffee and light bites at U3/14 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach
- Salt and Pepper – beaky, brunch and lunch at 2/8 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach and renowned for its Chai Lattes, toasties, and gelato.
- F Café(Frying Fish) – Unit 8/48 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach. Specialises in seafood and casual dining.
- Rainbow Beach Bakery
- Ocean Breeze Seafoods – is a seafood takeaway shop located at 54 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach with plenty of seafood options.
Things to do Things to do Around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach –
Foodies – Gourmet & Providores
- Acquavue located on Hervey Bays waterfront open for breakfast, lunch and dinner caters for all dietary requirements, including gluten-free and vegan
- Alowishus has a Maryborough store has a full service kitchen offering all day breakfast and lunch. It’s two Bundy locations are Grab n Go.
- Cafe Balaena – breakfast, lunch or dinner and choose from an extensive menu that showcases the freshest and finest ingredients that Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast has to offer – Tourist Terminal, 7 Buccaneer Dr, Urangan QLD.
- Brunch away at Enzos on the Beach
- Bar Soma – great cocktails and Sunday lunch
- The Boat Club bistro serves gastro pub food and seafood in a spacious, child-friendly venue with outdoor seating.
- The Clubhouse with a courtesy bus on Friday and Saturday nights from 10am to 10pm
- Dune Restaurant – at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Travellers Choice 2024. Indulge in an array of sweet, salty and spicy selections from Dune’s curated Asian fusion menu, from decadent dumplings, fragrant curries and sizzling stir-fried meats, to noodle dishes packed with authentic flavours. Paired with fresh produce and a bold beverage list, including world-class wines and island-inspired cocktails.
- Urangan Pier Park Community Markets at 6/8 Pilot St, Urangan QLD, is located adjacent to the Urangan Pier.
- Get your guide to Hervey Bay Markets. – Nikenbah Markets, Maryborough Markets, Koala Markets In Urangan, Torquay Beachside, Howard County Markets and Burrum Heads Markets
- Rainbow Beach Meats – Scott the butcher provides high-quality meats, deli products, and specialty items.
- The Deck @ Sea Salt – Coastal restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced gourmet produce.
- Little Parliament Café Rainbow Beach – Go for the banana bread and contemporary Australian dishes.
- Rainbow Beach Surf Life Saving Supporter’s Club Restaurant – À la carte menu with locally sourced gourmet ingredients.
- The Deck @ Sea Salt Gift Shop – Curated gourmet products, artisan foods, and unique coastal gifts.
Things to do around the Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach –Retail Escapes
Unique Shopping and Art Experiences
- Le Petit Chocolatier makes handmade chocolates at 11 Main St Pialba Hervey Bay
- Haighs Jewellers is an extraordinary boutique, family run over 30 years that includes repairs, remodels, renovates and specialises in unique handcrafted designs to client specifications.
- Mary Ryans is a bookstore books, cards and gifts
- Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is home to a variety of workshops (art, pottery), events and activities and even has a seasonal garden.
- Ashleigh Manley Studio Gallery displays the works renowned master of watercolour works for four decades of Australian watercolourist, Ashleigh also produces hand stencilled silk screen prints, etchings, and acrylics on canvas.
- Hervey Bay Art Society offers art education, exhibits and gallery.
- Ellen Foulds Fine Art Photography
- The Hervey Bay Hat Company located at the Urangan Pier, full of the unique and eclectic style of head ware.
- Cooloola Art Gallery Rainbow Beach – Local artists’ paintings, handcrafted jewellery, and creative artworks.
- Seaside Studio Rainbow Beach – Artisan homewares, coastal décor, and hand-crafted artworks.
- Rainbow Beach Gallery & Gifts – Local crafts, souvenirs, and art pieces.
- The Deck @ Sea Salt Gift Shop – Curated gourmet products, artisan foods, and unique coastal gifts.
Other Retail Shopping
- Tackle World Rainbow Beach Rainbow Beach – Specialty fishing gear and outdoor accessories, ideal for local enthusiasts.
- Rainbow Beach Tourist Centre – While primarily a visitor information centre, they also offer a variety of products such as beachwear, accessories, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to pick up necessities and local gifts.
- Stockland Hervey Bay and Bay Plaza Shopping Centres: For those who enjoy familiar retail brands, these popular shopping centers offer a variety of stores to explore, alongside local retailers showcasing regional products.
- 13th Beach Surf- A surf shop catering to all your beach needs, including surfboards, wetsuits, and accessories. They stock a range of products for both beginners and experienced surfers.
- Love Rainbow – A retail store offering a selection of Australian-themed gifts, clothing, and accessories. It’s a good spot to find souvenirs and casual wear.
- Rainbow Beach Shopping Centre– The town’s main shopping hub, featuring various retail outlets, including a bottle shop, food stores, and more. It’s a one-stop destination for everyday shopping needs.
Looking for a roadtrip to K’Gari? Try our scenic roadtrip from Brisbane to Cairns via K’Gari Island.
If you think the Things to do around The Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay & Rainbow Beach, sounds amazing and the area is a perfect holiday destination, why not see our Stays with a WOW accommodation.
