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Hervey Bay Whale Festival

Welcome to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival | 1 – 4 August 2024 | Hervey Bay

Welcome to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival | 1 – 4 August 2024 | Hervey Bay

Welcome to the Hervey Bay Whale Festival | 1 – 4 August 2024 | Hervey Bay

 

Hervey Bay Whale Festival

15 July & 3 – 6 August 2023

The annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival will be returning in 2023.  

There are few places in the world that compares to the awe-inspiring, soul-stirring, up-close whale watching encounters that you will find in Hervey Bay. 

15 July & 3 – 6 August 2023

Welcome to Hervey Bay Whale Festival

The annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival will be returning in 2023.  

 

There are few places in the world that compares to the awe-inspiring, soul-stirring, up-close whale watching encounters that you will find in Hervey Bay. 

 

Between July and October, thousands of humpback whales travel the ‘humpback highway’ and arrive in the calm, protected waters of Hervey Bay. 

 

Unlike any other place along the ‘humpback highway’, the whales will stop and spend up to 10 days resting, socialising and playing before continuing their trip back to the Antarctic for the summer months. 

 

This unique relationship gives reason to celebrate each year with the Hervey Bay Whale Festival. An eclectic event to recognise the importance of the ocean to Hervey Bay and promote the conservation of the marine environment and animals that are unique and important to our region. 

Fun for the Whole Family

Whale Festival Events

People on bow of Tasman Venture Vessel

Blessing of the Fleet

The annual Marina Party and Blessing of the Fleet is returning to Hervey Bay, a marine mecca!
two people under Jellyfish Lanterns in Lantern Parade

City & Sea Celebrations

Get ready for a jam-packed day of fun and excitement with three amazing events all in one!
Paddle out for whales

Paddle Out For Whales

Join us for an unforgettable moment in time of community, and whale appreciation at Paddle Out for Whales.
Creating Waves

Creating Waves

Join us for a night of personal tales from those who are uniquely connected to Australia’s Humpback Whales.

Twilight Swing

Get ready for a night of Music and Dance in the Twilight. This year Urangan Pier Park will play host to the newest addition to the 2023 Whale Festival – ‘The Twilight Swing’.

Whale Boy

Come join the crew from Occupied Spaces on Sat 5th August, 2023 for Whale Boy, a fun-filled 30-minute theatrical adventure through Pier Park!

Learn About the Humpback Whale

Ocean Life Education

Whale information fact sheet and migration
Whale information fact sheet and migration

Whale Heritage

The world's First Whale Heritage Site

Hervey Bay’s reputation as Australia’s whale watching capital was made official in October 2019, when the region was dubbed the world’s first Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance. 
To qualify, a Whale Heritage Site must ensure the highest standard in respectful human-wildlife interactions, as well as showing active engagement by the local community and their tourists with marine life through art, music, science, education and other heritage and cultural events.

This 6, 000 square-kilometer area, covers about 20 percent of the Great Sandy Marine Park, spanning from Rooneys Point, across to Burrum Heads, and as far south as Big Woody Island. The area is part of the wider Great Sandy Biosphere, awarded reserve status by UNESCO back in 2009.

Whale Heritage Site Logo