It’s agreed: long, lazy holidays are the best. But what if you only have a couple of days up your sleeve to getaway? No problem. Just because you’re on a mini-break, doesn’t mean you can’t have big fun.
And they don’t come much bigger than playful whales!
Right now, migrating humpbacks are putting on their annual performance in Fraser Coast waters off Hervey Bay.
Head up to Hervey Bay (just 4 hours drive from Brisbane) and jump on board a half-day morning or afternoon cruise with Whalesong – one of the longest-running whale-watching operations in the bay.
Complementing decades of experience, Whalesong offers the youngest vessel in the Hervey Bay whale-watching fleet – one that makes it easy for everyone on board to have an amazing whale encounter.
The boat operates with a manageable number of passengers and is purpose-built for whale-watching – meaning there’s plenty of room and multiple viewing positions for all to enjoy the show.
And what a show! From July to October, the whales put on a dazzling display of watery acrobatics – from fluke slapping to full breaches and spy hops.
Choose the morning cruise and you’ll enjoy morning tea, hot beverages and a delicious lunch on board – with personalized service from the friendly crew. Opt for the afternoon cruise and you get similar refreshments plus a superb dinner – with one of Hervey Bay’s stunning sunsets on the side. There’s a full bar on board too.
Whalesong is passionate about people of all abilities enjoying a whale encounter – so the vessel is wheelchair-friendly and has accessible restrooms on board.
And for those who simply can’t leave shore, the company has developed a unique 3D virtual reality experience – to share the whales’ amazing antics with residents of nursing homes and community centres.
If you’re in Hervey Bay to go whale watching, it’s a good idea to book accommodation within a stroll of the Great Sandy Straits Marina – home to the whale-watching fleet.
A great option is Ramada Hervey Bay, just a few minutes’ walk from the marina. The hotel offers comfortable rooms with king-sized beds or more spacious suites that include a self-contained kitchen. Some have views to the bay; others overlook Hervey Bay’s longest swimming pool. You can practically fit a whale in it!
There’s no need to trawl for dinner options along the Esplanade either. The hotel’s in-house restaurant, Smokey Joe’s, sits beside the dazzling pool. Its signature dish is “Taste of the Bay” – a 3-tiered seafood extravaganza that includes (of course) Hervey Bay’s famous sea scallops.
And for those few morning hours before you head back home, why not take advantage of the hotel’s free bike hire for guests – and cruise some of Hervey Bay’s 17 kilometres of foreshore bikeways?
It’s a lovely way to end your mini-break on the beautiful Fraser Coast.
