Hervey Bay - Whale Watching Capital of the World
Hervey Bay has now been recognised as the only genuine stop-over on the humpback whales' southern migration along Australia's east cast.
The calm safe waters of Platypus Bay off the north-western coast of Fraser Island, in the Hervey Bay Marine Park, have become known world wide as a prime whale watching area.
From August to October humpback whales on their migration south to the Antarctic stop to rest, play and nurture their calves in the bay.
After entering the area the whales suddenly stop their migration style swimming and relax with the females concentrating on feeding, preparing their young calves for the 5,000 km journey and teaching them the art of survival.
It is believed that the shallow calm waters provide shelter giving the whales the opportunity to socialise and to give the new-born calves a chance to grow stronger before they continue south.
The clear waters of the Bay provide a perfectly safe resting area for females with their new-born calves, as it is free from their main predators: the Orcas or killer whales and pack sharks.
Whale sightings are guaranteed in Hervey Bay!
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Whale watching is becoming one of the world's great natural experiences, and nowhere is it as enthralling as in the calm waters of Hervey Bay, Queensland.
This rapid growing coastal city has become known as the Whale Watching Capital of the World, an accolade bestowed by experts and the many thousands of visitors who are overwhelmed year after year by the acrobatic displays by the humpback whales - the most surface active of all the great whales.
Every year thousands of humpback whales travel from Antarctica along the east coast of Australia to give birth in the warm waters of Northern Queensland.
On their return migration they stop to rest and play and nurture their calves in the safe waters of Hervey Bay in the protected lee of Fraser Island.
It is an amazing experience to watch, from very close quarters - sometimes no further away than arm's length - 40,000kg whales leap out of the out of the ocean, lift their great heads to watch the whale watchers watching them, salute with their flippers, splash their powerful tails as they take a dive and roll over like puppies.
Finally there is the added bonus of the World Heritage Listed Fraser Island on the doorstep so whale watchers can combine the best nature has to offer with a visit to the island, all in the one holiday.
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The highlights of Fraser Island include:
- Head off for the day to explore Fraser Island’s beauty spots.
- Hire a 4WD or make your own tracks.
- Grab a picnic hamper and escape.
- Dive into the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie or relax on its white sandy beaches.
- Swim in the Champagne Pools, nature's jacuzzi.
- Embark on eco marine adventures along Fraser Island’s remote north west coastline...
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Gorgeous Kingfisher Bay Resort overlooks the Great Sandy Strait on the western side of Fraser Island.
The resort is a purpose-built ecotourism resort and has won numerous awards and accolades over its 21 years of operation and offers.
Kingfisher Bay Resort has an extensive program of guided walks, talks and 4WD tours as well as wildlife and whale watch cruises and is a great base from which to explore the island. And all this is just a 45-minute flight from Brisbane and a short hop from Hervey Bay on the stunning Fraser Coast.
