Free Things To Do In Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia

Are you looking for things to do in Hervey Bay?

Hervey Bay is mostly known for two things: whale watching tours and the starting point of a Fraser Island tour. Neither of which are cheap. However, there is more to this lovely coastal city in southern Queensland than just those two activities.

There is plenty for you to see and do in Hervey Bay for free!

I lived and worked in Hervey Bay for several months, spending my spare time exploring. I came across some brilliant things that you can do with your time here and I’m going to share them with you.

Things to Do in Hervey Bay For Free

1. Spend A Day At The Beach

Free things to do in Hervey Bay: go to the beach — Picture by Cyron – Free things to do in Hervey Bay

I’ll start with the obvious choice for things to do in Hervey Bay for free – spend a day at the beach.

Hervey Bay is home to a gorgeous golden beach that runs the whole length of the city from Point Vernon to Urangan.

If you spend the full day there, you’ll get to see the tide come and go. It doesn’t sound that exciting but it’s a beach like no other.

During low tide, you can walk at least 50-100 meters out to sea! Possibly even further! I don’t know about you but I’ve never seen the tide go out so far and I found it quite fascinating.

There are public barbecues located at various locations all along the trail between the beach and the Esplanade so make sure you take something for lunch or dinner to make a proper day of it.

Nothing says Australia like a barbie and the beach!

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2. Take A Walk Through The Botanic Gardens

Next up on the list of free things to do in Hervey Bay is the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens.

Hervey Bay is home to a 26-hectare botanic garden in Urangan. If I’m honest, quite a large portion is overgrown, but that adds to the adventure of making your way around!

But if you don’t fancy making your way through the jungle-like part, there is also a well-maintained Chinese garden, an orchid house, and even a nice little pond area.

It’s an excellent place to spot some wildlife as there’s a large variety of birds that call the botanic gardens home, along with some turtles that live in the pond.

3. Visit The Kangaroos At Point Vernon

At the opposite end of Hervey Bay, at Point Vernon, you can see a different kind of wildlife – kangaroos.

These marsupials, who are the national animal of Australia, can be found in large open areas where the houses stop. We must have seen at least twenty when we went to visit!

The best spot to see Point Vernon’s kangaroos, I would say, is either North Street or Dougan Street.

Be careful not to get too close when you go though. I know they look cute, but they can attack if they feel threatened.

4. Point Vernon Coastal Walk

There is a beautiful coastal walk that starts near Parraweena Park in Point Vernon. It runs all the way around the peninsula and joins up with the Esplanade.

The walk is roughly 5km (3.1 miles) long (give or take 1km) but the view is definitely worth the walk. The view is absolutely beautiful!

You can make your way down to the waterfront at numerous locations, and don’t be afraid to go for a swim to cool off! I would personally recommend Gatakers Bay, it’s a stunning area.

Along with beautiful views, there’s a chance to spot some wildlife too! There is an osprey nest built on a dedicated platform located near Esa Park.

5. Watch The Fruit Bats Take Off For The Night

Hervey Bay is home to literally millions of fruit bats.

If you want to have your own Batman moment, look up to the sky at dusk and you’ll see the fruit bats take off for the night.

There are 3 different species of fruit bats residing at Hervey Bay and some of them have a wingspan that measures up to one meter (3.3 feet)!

During the day, they can be found sleeping in the canopy of trees all over Hervey Bay. The largest colony that I saw was at the Tooan Tooan Creek, just in between Pialba and Scarness.

I highly recommend watching these magnificent creatures take flight for the night, it’s truly a spectacle! I must warn you though, the smell can be pretty unpleasant…

6. Follow The Esplanade’s Fitness Trail

Looking for some free exercise opportunities in Hervey Bay? There’s a massive fitness trail that runs the full length of the Esplanade.

Now it’s up to you if you want to run, jog, walk, or cycle between each section, but the challenge is to complete the full trail! Regrettably, I never managed to.

Every section has a different selection of bodyweight exercises so that by the end you will have had a proper full-body workout!

However, if you’re not up to covering the full 17km or so of the Esplanade (10.6 miles), there is a larger section with exercises to work almost every muscle. This part of the trail can be found in Torquay, near the Aquavue Cafe.

7. Whale Watch From The Urangan Pier

The Urangan Pier is 868 meters long (2850 feet). It’s an impressive architectural feat in itself!

If you’re visiting Hervey Bay during the whale season (July – November), there is a small chance that you could see some whales breaching in the distance at high tide!

Now I’m not going to promise you that you’ll see one. You have to be pretty lucky. But there have been reports of whale sightings from the pier.

If you’re unlucky (like me) and don’t see any whales, you’ll still probably catch a glimpse of pelicans and ospreys out hunting above the sea which is an amazing experience as well!

8. Free Family Fun: Wetside Water Park, Playgrounds & Skate Park

A water park showing orange and blue slides, lots of water and some kids playing — Credit: WetSide Water Park

One of the best free things to do in Hervey Bay if you’re traveling with kids is visiting Wetside Water Park in Pialba.

Entry to the water play area is completely free, with fountains, tipping buckets, and splash zones that are perfect for younger children. Some larger slides require a small fee, but you can easily spend a few hours here without paying anything.

You can find opening hours for Wetside Water Park here.

Right next to Wetside, you’ll also find a large modern playground, open green spaces, and Skateside, a skatepark popular with teenagers and young adults. It’s a great area to relax, especially in the late afternoon when the heat eases and locals come out with families and friends.

Tip: Visit early in the morning or after 3:30 pm during summer to avoid the hottest part of the day and crowds.

9. Visit Local Markets & Free Community Events

Browsing local markets is another easy and enjoyable free activity in Hervey Bay.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, markets are a great way to soak up the local atmosphere and see what’s happening in the community.

Two popular options:

Urangan Pier Park Markets. They’re held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. It’s a nice relaxed market near the water with local produce, handmade goods, and occasional live music. You can find more information on their website.
Torquay Cowrie Market. Held on the third Sunday of the month, from September through to April. It’s a nice arts and crafts market with a laid-back vibe. Check their website for updates.

And, no matter where I travel, I always like to check what local (free) events are happening during my stay. You can find an events calendar for Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas here.

10. Free Art Galleries & Cultural Spots in Hervey Bay

For something a little different, Hervey Bay also offers a few free cultural attractions that are worth adding to your itinerary.

The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions featuring Australian artists, photographers, and local creatives, with free entry year-round. Exhibitions change every few months, so there’s often something new to see even if you’ve visited before.

You’ll also find smaller community art spaces and pop-up exhibitions around the Fraser Coast, particularly during festivals and cultural events. These are often free to enter and give a nice insight into the local arts scene.

Ourfrasercoast is a good resource to find out about current exhibitions and many other activities.

Tip: Galleries are a great option on very hot days or when you want a break from the beach, and most are centrally located with cafés nearby.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Hervey Bay?

I hope you enjoyed my list of free things to do in Hervey Bay.

If you’re wondering when the best time to visit is, I would definitely recommend going between the start of August and the end of October.

The whale watching season starts in July and ends in November, but there isn’t always a guarantee of seeing these beautiful creatures in those months.

Also, the weather is great at that time of year; it’s not too cold, but it’s not overly hot either!

Thanks for reading! If you’re visiting Hervey Bay, I hope you have an amazing time!

Let us know in the comment section if you do any of these Hervey Bay activities. We’d love to hear all about your adventures in Hervey Bay!