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
Blessing of the Fleet
City & Sea Celebrations
Paddle Out For Whales
Creating Waves
Twilight Swing
Whale Boy
Learn About the Humpback Whale
Ocean Life Education
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.
