Things to do in Fraser Coast

Entertainment Venues

Boat Club Cinema

Hervey Bay

Everyone's welcome at The Boat Club Cinemas showing the latest movies. Big Screens, big sound, big comfy chairs, awesome popcorn including caramel flavour, big choc-tops, easy free parking, licensed bar, take club cafe food, coffee and drinks into the cinemas. Everyone's welcome! Each theatre is also available for private hire. Please contact the Boat Club Cinema for details.

Image: FCTE

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

HMAS Tobruk Dive

Hervey Bay

Experience this incredible world-class dive site on the Fraser Coast. The 127-metre heavy-lift former navy ship involved in 26 major operations will spend the rest of its life in the waters between the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg as a dive site. The dive site will cater for divers of all levels and abilities. The upper rear decks of the ship are anticipated to be in water shallower than 18 metres, while the internal tank deck is likely to be 25 metres, appealing to advanced and technical divers. Ex-HMAS Tobruk will become a 'sister wreck' to ex-HMAS Brisbane, which was sunk off the Sunshine Coast 11 years ago. Call Hervey Bay Dive Centre or visit their website to book an ex-HMAS Tobruk dive tour with their expert local team.

Agritourism

Nikenbah Markets

Hervey Bay

The Nikenbah Markets are held at the Hervey Bay Animal Refuge on the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month. Items for sale at these very popular Markets include arts and crafts, fresh produce, trash and treasure, cakes and jams and much more. The Nikenbah Markets are held to raise much need funds to care for the animals at the Hervey Bay Animal Refuge.

Natural Attractions

Birdwatching on the Fraser Coast

Hervey Bay

The Fraser Coast offers a great range of birdwatching opportunities with over 250 species identified. Every year thousands of migratory shorebirds visit Hervey Bay and the Great Sandy Strait from destinations as far away as Japan, Alaska and Siberia. The sand and mudflats are important feeding grounds for nearly 20 different species of long distance flyers. The range of habitats within close proximity of Hervey Bay will ensure that even the keenest birdwatcher will be amazed at the variety of bird life. Their waterways are home to many species, from the striking black and white jabiru, and the graceful silver-grey brolga, to the distinctive brahminy kite with its deep chestnut wings and white head, neck and breast of the amazing comb-crested jacana that seemingly walks on water thanks to its incredibly long toes. The undergrowth below trees can be protection for so many of those little jewels of nature that live on insects, small fruit and grass-seeds, and are always an enjoyment to observe. Those who visit Hervey Bay are indeed fortunate to experience such diverse habitats suitable for a range of different bird species.

Natural Attractions

Roy Rufus Artificial Reef Dive Site

Hervey Bay

The most popular dive site in Hervey Bay is the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef. Located off the eastern side of Big Woody Island, this large artificial reef was started in 1968 and covers a wide area in depths to 18 metres. Scattered across the site are car bodies, tyres, concrete pipes, two barges and four ships. The barges and ships offer the most rewarding diving, and fortunately, three of them (Otter, Pelican and Lass O’Gowrie) are positioned closed together and can be explored on the one dive. Limited penetration is available, but with the wrecks covered in corals and a great variety of marine life to be seen on and around the ships, you don’t need to venture into darken rooms. Exploring the artificial reef divers will encounter wobbegongs, stingrays, turtles, gropers, sea snakes and a great range of reef fish and invertebrates. Stonefish and scorpionfish are common, so watch where you place your hands. Like all dive sites in Hervey Bay the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef is affected by tidal currents, so can only be dived on the high tide, and the bay doesn’t have good visibility, averaging 5 metres, and rarely more than 10 metres.

Natural Attractions

Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails and Skills Park

Hervey Bay

The Toogoom Bike Trails is a fabulous trail network established by a group of passionate locals with over 40 kilometres of trails to suit the beginner right through to the expert rider. The network includes a skills park, Joey trail, and shelter shed to keep the kids happy and the adults who don't ride some shelter. There are toilets and showers available to the public, and at the beach end of Toogoom road there are two cafés that are available for a post ride coffee, beer or snack.

Natural Attractions

Lake McKenzie

K'gari

There are many different aspects to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), but the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake McKenzie makes it a must-see natural site on the island. It is a ‘perched’ lake, which means it contains only rainwater, no groundwater, is not fed by streams and does not flow to the ocean. The sand and organic matter at the base of the lake form an impervious layer, preventing rainwater from draining away. The sand here is pure, white silica and is not only beautiful to look at but feels beautifully soft to walk on. The sand acts as a filter, giving the water its clarity and helping to make the water so pure it can support very little life. The blues and greens of the lake are endlessly fascinating and it's well worth getting up early to look across it in the soft light of dawn. There are great hikers camping facilities here and toilets and cold showers nearby.

Natural Attractions

Pile Valley Circuit

K'gari

The Pile Valley circuit is a four-kilometre circuit that will take you to another world where giant K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) Satinay (hardwood) trees will tower over you having watched over this space for centuries. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, borer-resistant timber was popular for wharves and jetties from Australia to London. The significance of the Pile Valley was recognised when it was declared a beauty spot in 1937. The return route is through the sun-dappled rainforest and hoop pine plantation back to the day-use area. This Park is part of the K'gari World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of coastal dune landform development and evolutionary history. From the Central Station day-use area, take the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk for about 100 metres to the turn-off to Pile Valley. Allow for around two hours of walking time. The circuit has the same start and finish spot, but travellers don't return along the same path. Access to the circuit is via 4WD.

Natural Attractions

Fay Smith Wetlands

Maryborough

For a different experience on the Fraser Coast, walk through one of the last remaining wetlands in the Maryborough area, Fay Smith Wetlands. The Fay Smith Wetlands consist predominantly of paperbark swamp. Additionally, woodlands of Red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), Swamp mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta), Queensland blue gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and Acacias are found throughout. The reserve covers 10 hectares and is home to a diverse range of plants and animals. A drain previously built into the swamp has evolved into a creek filled with reeds, bulrushes and bottlebrushes and is now teeming with wildlife. To date, over 70 species of birds, as well as multiple species of insects, reptiles and frogs have been identified within the Wetlands, with a series of walkways and trails throughout the Wetlands allowing visitors to enjoy the abundant bird life at their leisure. The Wetlands are dedicated to Fay Smith and have been named in her honour. Fay was a passionate environmentalist who was prominent in local conservation for over 30 years. She was a leading figure in tree planting, foreshore protection, environmentally conscious farming, and the protection of land against degradation and pollution. Fay Smith Wetlands is located in Maryborough on the corner of Neptune and Victory Streets. Access to the walking trails and boardwalk is available from Neptune Street.

Natural Attractions

Valley of the Giants

K'gari

The Valley of the Giants is on the K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) Great Walk and you can camp in this lush rainforest in the central dunes. After a day on the K'gari Great Walk, you'll enjoy the chance to relax and take in the beauty of this place. If you can, plan an extra night here so you can explore the hidden 1000-year-old treasures of this rainforest. A 12.4 kilometre return side trail takes you deep into the heart of this amazing forest where you'll see massive tallowwood and satinay trees. The Valley of the Giants is 16.2 kilometres north of Lake Wabby walkers' camp, 13.1 kilometres south of Lake Garawongera walkers' camp and 7.8 kilometres from a minor K'gari Great Walk access track at the southern section of the Winnam camping area in Beach camping zone 3. The K'gari Great Walk is generally open from 1 March to 31 October each year. At other times, fire danger may be too great to allow walkers through. The dates depend on environmental conditions and will vary each year. Be sure to always check park alerts for the latest information.

Landmarks and Buildings

Central Station

K'gari

Originally established as a forestry camp when there was logging on World Heritage-listed K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), Central Station's beautiful rainforest area houses a display explaining the development of the island and its various flora and fauna. The camping area is fenced for dingo safety and set in the rainforest. There is an area for tents and trailers and a separate area for walkers to camp at the western end of the camping main camping area. Facilities include coin-operated hot showers, flushing toilets, wheelchair access and washing-up facilities. The nearby day-use area has a public phone and access to short walks. Rubbish bins are provided at the camping area entrance. There is also a wealth of information on display along with picnic areas. Central Station has a short boardwalk around Wanggoolba Creek and through the beautiful K'gari rainforest. This is also the starting point for some other walks such as the Basin Lake Walk.

Entertainment Venues

Brolga Theatre

Maryborough

The Brolga Theatre is the entertainment heart of the Fraser Coast. Situated on the banks of the Mary River in Maryborough, the Brolga is a first-class theatre and conference venue, which attracts the finest international and national performers. The Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre is owned and managed by the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Less than an hour's flight from Brisbane to Hervey Bay (30 kilometres away) and a 2½ hour drive north on the Bruce Highway, the Brolga is one of regional Queensland's best theatre and convention centres. National and international performers touring Australia and Queensland regularly perform at the theatre. The venue also hosts regular conferences, large and small, expos, trade shows, meetings, product launches, celebrations, awards dinners, school formals and weddings - the list is endless!