Waking as much as a surprising dawn over the Urangan jetty set the stage for our Hervey Bay whale watching tour.

We had been in Hervey Bay, Queensland alongside the Fraser Coast, a spot nicely referred to as the whale watching capital of Australia, on a household journey to identify humpback whales.

The Hervey Bay whale watching season runs just about the identical as the remainder of Australia, from June to October as 1000’s of whales migrate up and down the east coast of Australia and the protected calm waters of Hervey Bay is a favorite transit cease for them as they relaxation and play.

We jumped on the early morning whale watching tour with the parents from Hervey Bay Whale Watch and their boat Fast Cat II. And we had been in good palms, house owners Brian and Jill Perry are the pioneers having began the business again in 1987.

As we departed Urangan Harbour the water was calm and the lighting mushy, and while the sky a bit of overcast we may hardly complain and I bear in mind saying out loud, “hey, not unhealthy for the center of winter!”

It wasn’t lengthy earlier than our children obtained their first deal with for the day. Scorching chocolate and pancakes had been on supply and each baby on board receives a Kids’s Exercise Booklet. Successful up to now!

Caz and I loved our espresso and a lightweight breakfast as we cruised in the direction of the open bay, having fun with the contemporary air and the serenity of the women sitting nonetheless for fifteen minutes.

Kalyra likes to find out about wildlife and the world round her and inside no time had learn by way of her whale booklet while little miss Savannah was having fun with her video games, puzzles, and photos.

Captain Brian elevated the pace as we headed in the direction of the open bay with the solar beginning to poke its head by way of the breaking clouds. His crew had been offering commentary and tips about pictures and the morning was getting higher by the minute.

The one different time we’d been whale watching was within the open ocean and attempting to take a photograph within the uneven and windy circumstances was like stumbling round attempting to pin the tail on the donkey blind folded.

I may already inform why the whales loved spending as much as 10 days on their migration in Hervey Bay utilizing the time to socialize and relaxation.

Recognizing whales is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Hervey Bay and 20 years of analysis has confirmed that the Fraser Coast is the one real stopover alongside the migration route the place as much as 10,000 whales deviate from their annual journey again to Antarctica.

Being affected person

Sadly, our Hervey Bay whale watching tour didn’t initially go to plan.

Our boat got here in to engine bother, we misplaced electrical energy to at least one engine shutting it down which meant we sat idle for 90 minutes within the bay, simply hanging out. Teasingly, we may see some whales manner off within the distance and for a second we thought the one ones we might be seeing up shut had been these in our Lonely Planet guidebook.

We used this time to take photographs (together with a couple of selfies) and loved the uncommon second of doing nothing, surrounded by glimpses of Fraser Island off within the distance.

However by no means worry, after a sluggish begin there was a cheerful ending in retailer for us…

Humpback whales are well worth the wait

Whether or not you’re on safari in Africa or whale watching in Hervey Bay, these are wild animals we’re speaking about dwelling within the open and so they come and go as they please.

Captain Brian and crew did a superb job of getting us going once more and as quickly as our boat was fastened, we sped off, rapidly discovering why Hervey Bay is called among the finest whale-watching areas on this planet!

We first noticed them breaching from a distance and I rapidly grabbed my digital camera and shot some pics on my 70-200 lens.

The thrilling factor is you by no means know when or the place they’ll breach, and even when it’s not proper subsequent to your boat it’s nonetheless an unbelievable sight.

After which the day obtained higher!

The whales got here to play proper alongside our boat, waving howdy with their tails and swimming proper by. How’s this for a detailed up of a humpback whale’s tail? Our youngsters had been, in fact ecstatic!

Throughout whale watching season in Hervey Bay, there may be hundred’s of whales inside the sanctuary on any given day.

Nonetheless, within the unlikely occasion you don’t encounter humpback whales in your tour, Hervey Bay whale watching permits every visitor an extra whale watching tour to make use of with no restrictions or disclose to another person.

They had been the primary whale watching operators to supply this assure, virtually 30 years in the past.

And being the good operator that they’re, as a result of our tour was delayed for 90 minutes, everybody on board was additionally supplied this situation, regardless that we noticed whales. I assumed that was superior!

Particulars for Hervey Bay whale watching excursions

Hervey Bay Whale Watch supply morning and afternoon excursions and a whale swim between July and October:

• Adults $115
• Kids $60
• Household of 4 $299
• Whale swim $95 on prime

Excursions final from four – 5 hours.

Different issues to do in Hervey Bay

We didn’t have lengthy within the city itself, however right here’s a couple of issues we obtained as much as.

Stroll the Hervey Bay Esplanade at sundown

We arrived late Friday afternoon and took a delicate stroll alongside the Esplanade simply earlier than sundown.

The 14km lengthy shared pathway stretches all the way in which from the Urangan Harbour on the jap finish of town to Gatakers Bay within the west, making it a fantastic cycle path or long-walk. We did the part alongside Scarness Seashore and loved the sundown on the jetty.

It’s additionally a fantastic spot for BBQ’s and fishing off any one of many small jetties alongside the way in which.

Stroll the Urangan Pier

Taking a morning stroll at dawn is greatest right here on the Urangan Pier. That is the place I took my dawn picture earlier than our whale watching tour.

Tip from certainly one of our readers:

Simply throughout the highway from Urangun pier is a fish and chip store, small, seems to be a bit dodgy even (no offense to house owners), nevertheless it has THE BEST fish I’ve ever tasted. Solely been twice with six years between visits and the standard was the identical, soften in your mouth!

Breakfast at Enzo’s on the Seashore

Enzos on the Seashore is a locals favorite cafe.

Step off the Esplanade and into the relaxed ambiance of Enzos with uninterrupted ocean views of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. The fashion is beachy, you’re proper on Scarness Seashore and set in a cute little cottage with an enthralling patio overlooking the sands.

We liked the beanbags beneath the umbrellas and our children loved the playground subsequent door that entertained them while we zoned out – successful once more!

Two different espresso homes advisable had been Minimalist Espresso Roasters and Bean Beat Espresso Bar.

Eat & Drink at Dan and Steph’s

We got here to Eat at Dan and Stephs for some good espresso. We didn’t get to eat right here although as we arrived after kitchen closed at 3pm.

It’s widespread, with Dan and Steph being the native celebs as earlier winners of My Kitchen Guidelines in 2013, and you’ll anticipate finding some up to date dishes. They work onsite, serving and cooking for his or her prospects.

Dan is legendary for his sausages, and we additionally heard their Kadek Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice with braised ham hock scotch egg and fried shallots) was certainly one of their successful dishes on the TV present.

The place is Hervey Bay?

Hervey Bay is roughly a 3 and a half hour drive north of Brisbane, or a 45-minute flight.

Lodging in Hervey Bay

Our Hervey Bay lodging was a beautiful self-contained house, The Bay Flats, which is true on the Esplanade with water views and in case you don’t really feel like cooking, your a straightforward stroll to a number of eating places and takeaway meals retailers alongside the strip.

For those who’re going to go to Hervey Bay, why not time it to coincide with the migrating whales. It’s certainly one of Queensland’s greatest pure vacation locations and we had a whale of a time (sorry couldn’t resist!)

You’re additionally inside quick access to World Heritage Listed Fraser Island. Keep tuned, we’ve an article on Fraser developing quickly!

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Because of tourism Queensland for internet hosting our keep. For an entire record of issues to do within the area go to their web site.

Have you ever been on any Hervey Bay whale watching excursions?

Did you notice any whales? What else did you do on the town? Please share any suggestions within the feedback under.