Close Menu

Heritage and Character

The Fraser Coast boasts a rich tapestry of heritage-listed sites and character precincts that reflect our unique history and community identity. Our commitment to preserving these treasures ensures that future generations can appreciate the stories and architecture that define our region.

  • Heritage

    Heritage reflects the value of a place to past, present and future generations. It includes aesthetic, historic, scientific and social significance shaped by Queensland’s history, environment and people - and represents places we aim to preserve and pass on.

  • Character

    Character is what gives a neighbourhood its unique look and feel. It’s shaped by land, people, buildings, history, culture and tradition, and plays a key role in how we experience and connect with a place.

Moving Through the Times: Hervey Bay’s Seaside Story

Heritage and Culture: Hervey Bay - The Seaside Resort

Hervey Bay's story begins in the 1870s as a small farming settlement. As the nearby town of Maryborough flourished, Hervey Bay quickly became a popular seaside escape. By the end of the decade, hotels and boarding houses began to open in Pialba to meet demand from holidaymakers seeking sea breezes and coastal views.

Growth of a Holiday Town

The town’s popularity grew significantly after the construction of a railway from Colton to Pialba in 1896, which made travel to the coast easier. In 1917, the Urangan Pier was completed and a branch railway line was extended from Pialba to the pier. Seaside villages like Scarness, Torquay and Urangan began to develop, each with its own railway station and growing holiday appeal.

By the 1930s, Hervey Bay had the hallmarks of a classic resort town: grand hotels, dance halls, picture theatres (including the much-loved 'Jazzland'), seaside cafes, kiosks, and popular camping and caravan grounds.

The Motor Car Era

The biggest transformation came after World War II, when increased car ownership gave Australians more freedom to travel. Hervey Bay boomed, driven by growing incomes, longer holidays, and a new wave of holidaymakers arriving by car. The accommodation scene evolved with it, shifting from boarding houses to motels and holiday flats.

As the town grew, modern motels, units and vibrant postwar homes began to line the Esplanade. By the 1980s, the area began to attract major tourism investment, culminating in the construction of high-rise resorts like Riviera in 1993.

The Character of Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay’s charm lies in its blend of historical and architectural styles. From classic Queenslanders to colourful 1970s motels, the town tells its story through its buildings, streetscapes and public spaces. The foreshore, old caravan parks and former camping grounds also hold social and cultural significance.

Here are some of the architectural styles that define Hervey Bay:

Federation Style (c. 1890s–1915)

Commonly recognised as the traditional ‘Queenslander’, Federation homes often feature wide verandahs and timber stumps. While no commercial buildings from this era remain, some houses and boarding houses still exist, particularly in Pialba and Urangan—close to the old railway and pier.

Interwar Bungalow (1919–1939)

Inspired by the Californian Bungalow, these homes added flair to the Queenslander with front-facing gables, porches and decorative timberwork. They reflect the growth of Hervey Bay during the interwar years.

Art Deco and Streamline Modern (1920s–1940s)

The global Art Deco movement influenced local architecture with sleek lines, rounded corners, porthole windows and rendered brick. This modern, ship-like style—known as Streamline—was popular in Hervey Bay’s homes and small commercial buildings.

Postwar Modern (1945–1970s)

With suburban expansion after WWII, homes became more experimental and reflected optimism and new technology, especially with influence from the space age. Coastal homes featured butterfly roofs, flat or low-pitched designs, bright paint, and space-age details like angled supports.

Motels and Holiday Flats (1950s–1970s)

As car travel increased, the iconic Australian motel was born—a fusion of motor access and hotel convenience. In Hervey Bay, these structures ranged from modest fibro builds to colourful, geometric designs reflecting holiday life.

Current

From timber cottages to modernist beach homes, Hervey Bay’s built environment showcases the evolution of a community that grew from farmland into a vibrant coastal resort. Today, this heritage adds richness to the Fraser Coast’s identity and continues to shape how locals and visitors experience the Bay.

Local Heritage Register

Council’s planning rules currently recognise neighbourhood character in Maryborough and Howard, shown in the Heritage and Neighbourhood Character Overlay map:
 View the map – Fraser Coast Heritage and Character Overlay

We’ve also taken a closer look at the character of streets in Hervey Bay, Toogoom, Burrum Heads, and Torbanlea, and found a mix of housing styles and layouts that reflect the unique feel of each area.

 

As part of the Hervey Bay Character Study, Fraser Coast Regional Council collaborated with art students from five Hervey Bay high schools, to create a coffee table book called Streetscape Character of Hervey Bay – using the local built environment for inspiration to create artworks showcasing Hervey Bay character houses.

Secure your copy

This beautiful book is FREE and is available from various outlets including Fraser Coast libraries, Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum, and Council’s Customer Service Centres.

For further enquiries please email enquiry@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Community