Hervey Bay Ocean Festival Kicks Off Next Week!

Hervey Bay Ocean Festival kicks off August 10-19, with an array of colourful events, including the new Fraser Coast Kite Karnival, Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, Paddle Out For Whales and Whale Parade & Concert.

 Between July and November, thousands of humpback whales travel the 'humpback way' and arrive in Hervey Bay. The whales will stop and spend 10 days resting, socialising and playing before continuing their trip back to the Antarctic for the summer months. The Hervey Bay Ocean Festival celebrates and recognises the importance of the ocean to Hervey Bay and promotes the conservation of the marine environment and animals that are unique and important to the region.

Here are four events you need to check out at the Hervey Bay Ocean Festival:

Fraser Coast Kite Karnival 

BYO kite or grab a free one available at Bayswater and enter the Kite Colouring Competition to win a new kite! The competition has two prizes up for grabs for ages 0-5 and 6-12. There will also be kids rides, food stalls and market stalls to enjoy!

Date: Saturday, August 11
Time: 12pm - 4pm 
Location: Hervey Bay Fraser Lions Park (Urangan Pier)

Hervey Bay Seafood Festival

If you're a lover of seafood, you can't go past the Hervey Bay Seafood Festival, managed by the men and women who catch it for you! This is a chance to celebrate, relax and feast with friends in Fishermen's Park, Urangan. Enjoy local seafood, regional wines, beers and live music! Seafood includes Wide Bay’s hero fish, prawns, scallops, bugs, cuttlefish and more. 

Date: Sunday, August 12
Time: From 9:30am
Location: Fishermen's Park, Urangan

Paddle Out For Whales

Bring your SUP, kayak, blow up toy or home-made raft to celebrate and encourage whale conservation in Hervey Bay for Paddle Out For Whales on Sunday, August 19! Here, you'll paddle out into the ocean for a minute silence to recgonise the importance of the ocean and whales, particularly for the Fraser Coast. 

There will be activities and live entertainment through out the afternoon! Just make sure you pre-register or register your participation on the day. Also, you don't have to paddle out, you just have to be there!

You can pre-register here.

Date: Sunday, August 19
Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Ernie Organ Park, Torquay 

Whale Parade & Concert

I hope you have a costume! An 'Enchantment Under The Sea' party is coming to the Fraser Coast and will illuminate Hervey Bay Esplanade with lights, music, costumes and more! Pick your spot between Frank Street and Seafront Oval for the best view of the parade - kicking off at 6pm. 

There will also be carnival rides, market stalls, food stalls and more! 

Date: Saturday, August 18
Time: 2pm-8:30pm
Location: Seafront Oval