Our Region

Hervey Bay is the Fraser Coast’s main regional centre. It was proclaimed a city in 1984 and evolved from an amalgamation of small seaside villages along the Fraser Coast. It runs along the Hervey Bay coast line and its suburbs include Dundowran, Dundowran Beach, Eli Waters, Kawungan, Nikenbah, Pialba, Point Vernon, Scarness, Takura, Torquay, Urangan, Urraween, Walligan and Wondunna. Townships outside the Hervey Bay city limits include: Aldershot, Booral, Burrum Heads, Craignish, Howard, River Heads, Toogoom and Torbanlea.

The city is well-known nationally for its temperate climate, world-class beaches, proximity to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the whale watching industry. Over the past two decades, Hervey Bay has enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates in Queensland. Its current population is estimated to be over 65,000.

Maryborough is one of Queensland’s oldest cities and was a major commercial and industrial port in the late 1800s. Situated on the banks of the Mary River, which connects through to the Great Sandy Strait, it was a major port of entry for immigrants arriving in Queensland from all parts of the world. With such a rich history, the city offers many impressive heritage experiences as many of the original buildings have been preserved. The original port district is now a heritage precinct with colonial buildings, sensational riverside parks, art galleries and museums, historic pubs, steam trains and river cruises.

The city also has traditional ties to the timber industry and is home to Hyne Timber, one of the largest and oldest producers of natural timber products in Australia.

Discover the rural charms of Tiaro - the town grew after it became an important stop on the road between the Gympie goldfields and the Port of Maryborough in the 1860s and 70s. Located about 26km south-west of Maryborough on the Bruce Highway, Tiaro has easy access to major towns with the appeal of living in a friendly country town environment.

Explore the ancestral home of the Macadamia Nut with a visit to the charming village of Bauple. Located 10kms from Tiaro, Bauple sits in the foothills of Bauple Mountain and offers the chance to relive the pioneering past, discover incredible nut facts and enjoy locally grown nut products. The area is principally flat farming land with Mount Bauple rising to 450 metres in the west of the locality.

Poona National Park is 6km south-east of Maryborough on the northern side of the Maryborough-Cooloola and Boonooroo Road. Access is possible by four-wheel-drive vehicle, boat or walking. The park is the traditional country of the Butchulla people who also lived on nearby K'gari (formerly Fraser Island).

Burrum Heads is located at the southern entrance of the mouth of the Burrum River. With extensive sand flats, beach channels and mangrove-lined waterways; it is an ideal location for prawning, crabbing and fishing. For those who enjoy being out on the water, canoeing, boating or paddle boarding are popular local activities.

Toogoom is an outlying suburb of Hervey Bay on the northern beaches. With affordable beachfront and lakefront land including beachside and established houses, it is a popular commuter suburb for nearby Hervey Bay and Maryborough. The school bus service runs to all the main schools in Hervey Bay.

South of Hervey Bay in the Great Sandy Strait lie a collection of small fishing villages – Maaroom, Boonooroo, Poona and Tinnanbar. These small towns look out to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) and have a mix of holiday and permanent residents and are ideal picnic spots and for fishing.