Humpback Holiday at Hervey Bay
Just a 40 minute flight north of Brisbane, Queensland, beautiful Hervey Bay is famous as one of the world’s whale watching capitals.
From July to November, Hervey Bay’s warm waters are home to one of the ocean’s most magnificent marine mammals – the humpback whale. The adults and the young calves break their southern Antarctic journey to rest, feed and frolic in the warm, calm waters between Hervey Bay and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, and most whale watching tours will guarantee a sighting during this time.
While you can spot whales in other parts of the world, it’s in Hervey Bay that they choose to ‘holiday’ in small groups or ‘pods’ of adults and calves – and that affords a unique opportunity to experience their antics and awesome size right up close.
Humpbacks are natural entertainers and appear to be as interested in us, as we are in them. Bobbing out of the water to ‘spy’ watchers is a common behaviour – along with the ‘blow’, tail slapping, waving and slapping their pectoral fins and, best of all, the spectacular ‘breach’. The whale propels itself out of the water and comes crashing down almost in slow motion – the most prized of subjects for every photographer. A close encounter with a humpback whale is an intimate and humbling experience and many people comment on the profound effect it has on them. It’s definitely something you have to experience for yourself to truly appreciate.
Whalewatching Tours
You can make a day of it or head out for a morning or afternoon tour. The size and facilities of the whale watch vessels vary – what comes standard are highly experienced crews who are know all about humpback whales and the other wildlife that you’re likely to see in the bay, including dolphins, turtles and fish. The whale’s welfare is always paramount. Crews work to a strict code of conduct and although they stop the boats short of the pods, the curious whales routinely approach, swimming right up to say ‘hello’ and introduce their calves. Several tour vessels are equipped with underwater microphones, viewing windows and cameras.
Did you know?
Humpbacks breathe in and out within 2 seconds yet their lungs are the size of a small car! - These huge mammals weigh up to 45 tonnes – that’s about 11 elephants or 600 people!
- The humpback calves consume 600 litres of milk and can gain up to 90kg per day!
- Adult humpbacks can grow to a length of 10-19m, feeding on a diet of krill, plankton, and small fish.
More About Hervey Bay
Forty kilometres of unspoilt beachfront, stunning natural attractions and a relaxed pace make Hervey Bay the perfect holiday escape. The Esplanade hugs the north-facing beaches and winds its way around the picturesque foreshore to the Urangan Pier and marina. The town is famous for its spectacular natural attractions, which include the Great Sandy Straits, Fraser Island – the world’s largest sand island, the Bay and the wetlands. Hervey Bay is ideal for a family holiday with a wonderful network of parks, walkways and cycle ways, calm waters and sandy beaches. The protected waters off Hervey Bay are great for watersports, boating, snorkelling and fishing. Hervey Bay enjoys a warm, sub-tropical climate, with maximum averages temperature of 22°C in winter.
Fraser Island
This World Heritage-listed island is nature at its awe-inspiring best. It’s the largest sand island in the world and one of the rare places where towering subtropical rainforest actually grows from sand. Stay at a resort or plan your own adventure – there is beach camping, fishing, walking and four wheel driving along sand highways on the ocean beaches or you can go exploring along sandy tracks through the thick forest to the island’s freshwater lakes.
Useful Information
Editorial courtesy of Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism
Images courtesy of Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism and Tourism Queensland