Hervey Bay Gossip

A recurring theme I often see appearing around the Net is that backpackers find that there is nothing to do in Hervey Bay. I’ve never been quite sure where most of them got that idea from because there is plenty to do here in the Bay. Of course we could always have more things to do but we’re not really that short of things to entertain visitors.

That was confirmed for me yesterday when we put a visiting relative back on the plane. He’d arrived on Friday morning for a family get together and had managed to find the time to look around Hervey Bay while he was here.

His only complaint was that there was so much to do in Hervey Bay that he hadn’t been able to do everything in the few days that he was here. And just to drive home the point he listed around 10 different things that he wanted to do but had lacked the time.

So it seems that there really is plenty to do here in Hervey Bay if you’re prepared to get out and gather a few brochures and make a few enquiries.

Wow, it’s not even May and already humpback whales have been spotted off the NSW north coast and could even be on the eastern side of Fraser Island.

Perhaps the whale season will begin a little earlier than July here in Hervey Bay.

You can read the full story here

The Courier Mail is reporting today on a small survey of airline travellers that may have implications for Hervey Bay.

The results of the survey suggest that as many as 1 in 5 Australians are considering abandoning air travel because of it contributes to global warming. The report also suggests that the Australian travel industry is conerned that European travellers may turn their back on long-haul travel.

You can find the full story here

After a frantic few weeks over the Christmas period the influx of tourists to Hervey Bay seems to be settling down. No vacancy signs are beginning to disappear, campers and caravans are beginning to thin out in the caravan parks along The Esplanade, you can now find a parking spot most times of the day along the same street and the big numbers in the cafes and restaurants have faded away.

Seems like it’s time to take a deep breath and get ready for the next surge of people that want to holiday in Hervey Bay.

Whale watching in Hervey Bay is definitely booming this year. Several mornings last week the crew for the
Gossip were down at the Urangan Boat Harbour as the whale boats were leaving and there were plenty of eager passengers on the boat.

At the same time the person who some credit with starting the whale watching industry here in Hervey Bay is getting herself involved in the starting up some competition for Hervey Bay down on the Gold Coast.

Quick Cat II pulls away from it’s moorings on Saturday morning

Last month Kingfisher Bay Resort brought a luxury catamaran to Hervey Bay from Tasmania to run three day cruises along the coast of Fraser Island during the winter months. There’s no doubt that the Discovery tends to stand head and shoulders above all the other vessels moored down at Urangan.

A look around the caravan parks here in Hervey Bay will show you that the way people are holidaying is definitely changing. More and more people are turning to motor homes when they want to go travelling and there is quite a market in motorhome rentals.

More and more people are also buying or building their own and you will see everything from old Bedford buses from the 1960s to much more modern vehicles being turned into motorhomes. The comfort level in these ranges from spartan to quiet luxury.

One Hervey Bay resident, Ross Bonney, has turned a 1997 Toyota Coaster into beautifully appointed home away from home that sets a new standard when it comes to owner-builder motorhomes.

This mobilehome is now for sale and you will find more photos and technical details here.

Migaloo, the white humback whale is definitely on his way north and is thought to be in Queensland waters right now - in fact he could conceivably be passing Fraser Island today.

Environment Minister Desley Boyle said Migaloo had again been declared a ’special interest’ whale in Queensland waters this year to ensure he could swim freely.

“A ’special interest’ whale declaration means no-one can drive a boat or Jet Ski closer than 500m or fly an aircraft closer than 2000ft to the whale without written permission,” Ms Boyle said.

“If these conditions are breached, the maximum penalty is $12,375.”

For ordinary whales - if there ever could be an ‘ordinary’ whale the following regulations apply:

# a boat cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale, except in the whale protection zone of the Whitsunday, Lindeman and Gloucester island groups where the approach limit is 300 metres;

# boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres from a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300 metres to a whale;

# boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres if moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale, moving at more than four knots; and

# swimmers should exercise caution and move carefully away if a whale approaches or surfaces near them.

“These rules apply in State and Commonwealth waters, and they apply whether you’re operating your own yacht or cruiser, a fishing charter, a trawler, or a commercial whale-watching boat,” Ms Boyle said.

“There are also regulations applying to aircraft and personal watercraft such as Jet Skis.

“The safest place for inexperienced people to observe migrating whales is from commercial whale-watching vessels or from dry land.”

The maximum penalty for intentionally moving closer to a whale than permitted under the conservation plan is $9000. On-the-spot fines ranging from $225 to $375 may also apply for various contraventions of the conservation plan.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today announced the in-principle agreement between a Chinese airline and Queensland authorities to work closely together to remove possible barriers for flights between Chinese cities and Brisbane.

China Southern Airlines, Tourism Queensland and the Brisbane Airport Corporation will form a working group to further discuss the airline’s interest in operating from Guangzhou to Brisbane.

Mr Beattie said the airline had been investigating the possibility of a non-stop service to Brisbane and the working group was another step forward.

“There are a number of technical and operational issues being worked through but China Southern senior executives will be travelling to Queensland later this month and they will have further discussions with Queensland government, aviation and tourism industry representatives,” Mr Beattie said.

He said China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines have also shown interest in a non-stop service from Shanghai to Brisbane.

“The tourism growth potential from the Chinese mainland is huge. Between December 2003 and 2004 there was an increase of almost 71,000 visitors from China.

“The forecast growth of about 16 per cent annually over the next decade could mean as much as $6 billion to the Queensland economy,” Mr Beattie said.

And of course more Chinese tourists coming to Hervey Bay means more dollars into the local economy.

The Beattie Government will provide $60,000 for a feasibility study into a new iconic water park in Hervey Bay, Premier Peter Beattie, announced today.

Mr Beattie said he had agreed to help fund the proposal after strong representations from the Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara and the Wide Bay Water Corporation.

“This project has terrific potential and could be a great tourist attraction for the Wide Bay region, ” Mr Beattie said.

“However it has to stack up.

“Because of climate change and the drought we have to be extremely smart about how we manage water and we can’t afford to waste a drop.

“I want to make sure any proposal put forward is water wise using recycled water and promoting conservation and education measures.”

The concept by Wide Bay Water Corporation features a range of different entertainment and water education facilities in one central location on the Hervey Bay foreshore.

It includes significant water features from passive natural pool areas to active children’s aquatic playgrounds.

Once the feasibility study is finalised, Wide Bay Water Corporation will then be welcome to make a funding submission to the State through the various subsidy programs we have available for local Councils.

The Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara welcomed the funding and said he would work closely with Wide Bay Water Corporation and the Hervey Bay City Council to get the project up and running.

“Locals realise that we are lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world,” Mr McNamara said.

“However, the tourism market is very competitive and we must be creative and innovative in drawing new visitors to our community.

“The aquatic playground has the potential to be a great drawcard for Hervey Bay as well as a lot of fun for local families and a big boost for local business”.