Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Childers, Woodgate
Maryborough is first major town heading up the Fraser Coast. Once an important industrial centre on the banks of the Mary River, the town still contains some fine examples of early Colonial architecture. Brennan & Geraghty's 130 year old store gives a worthwhile and acurate look into the past, containing stock and records which have been meticulously preserved.
Hervey Bay, fifty kilometres north east of Maryborough, is one of Australia's best natural holiday destinations, with a reputation as being a safe and relaxing aquatic playground. The region has also become famous for sightings of the Humpback Whale as they return to the Antarctic. During the months of August to October, the whales play in the warm sheltered waters of the bay, putting on a spectacular display for their admirers. Celebrating the return of the Humpbacks each year, the town stages a Whale Festival lasting for two weeks in August.
Boating and fishing enthusiasts will find estuary, beach, jetty or reef fishing, and a variety of water sports including water and jet skiing, sailboarding, diving and snorkelling. The coral reefs and sunken ships within the bay are teeming with fish, providing superb viewing. Glass bottomed boats are another way to experience this beauty without getting wet.
On shore, Hervey Bay offers a good variety of accommodation, restaurants, and wildlife attractions. The town also prides itself on arts and crafts and the Urangan sea wall is a good example of this, decorated with works of marine art by local artists and schools.
Inland, and further north is the attractive town of Childers. Backpackers may like to stay a while and improve their bank balance with plenty of agricultural work available in the area. Childers also holds an excellent multi-cultural festival in July.
At the southern end of Childers is the turn-off to the gorgeous Woodgate Beach and Burrum Coast and River National Park's. The tiny township of Woodgate is nestled between the beach and the forest, allowing kangaroos to feel right at home as they wander through the streets.
